Ekphrasis is a term used to denote poetry or poetic writing concerning itself with the visual arts, artistic objects, and/or highly visual scenes. Poetry about works of art is the most obvious form of ekphrasis, but it need not be the only one. Ekphrasis can be essays, short stories and other literature about any visually powerful scene or subject.

This exhibit provides an opportunity for writers of any age or level of experience to compose creative writing in response to objects from the Galleries permanent collection. Those works will be featured alongside the artwork in the exhibition. We hope it will inspire young writers on campus and in the local K-12 community, highlight the work of more accomplished writers, and present artworks from the collection under a new light and a fresh interpretation.