Live Performances of Writing Inspired by Visual Art
“Ekphrastic” is from a Greek word that means a ‘written commentary on a visual work of art.’
Last two year’s events sold out in advance at Soft Water Studios in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District, as actors performed poetry, prose and plays inspired by the artwork on display.
Keep St Pete Lit’s Maureen McDole explains the unique event. “There is nothing like seeing a writer’s work come to life, while also viewing the artwork that inspired it. It’s a totally visceral experience and every performance is different.”
The Fantastic Ekphrastic artists are photographers, painters, and sculptors. The writing comes from crafters of fiction, journalists, poets, and playwrights.
“I had a strong desire to merge the visual and literary arts in a collaborative environment,” adds McDole. “By adding the performance aspect, we create a dynamic interdisciplinary experience.”
It’s an experience that has riveted audiences for two years in a row. Keep St. Pete Lit is elated that Fantastic Ekphrastic is now celebrating its third year at Soft Water Studios with Bob Devin Jones directing.
Tickets are $25 and on sale at http://www.keepstpetelit.org/. All proceeds keep the vibrant Keep St Pete Lit going strong, with low-cost writing classes at the Morean Art Center, LitSpace Writers Residency program coming up in April, SunLit Literary Festival, a used bookstore at Morean Art Center, an upcoming kids summer writing camp, and much more. Find out more at http://www.keepstpetelit.org.
Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25
Two shows each night, at 5:30 pm and 8 pm
Doors open at 4:30 pm
Tickets are $25 and on sale at http://www.keepstpetelit.org
2017 Fantastic Ekphrastic Artists and Writers:
• Julia Polonyi/ Adrien Julious
• Stacy Jo DeMott / Jeremiah Khokhar
• Kim Radatz / Lisa Luella Kirchner
• Bob Canning/ Joe Hamilton
• Zulu Painter/ Jalessa Blackshear
• D YaeL Kelley/ Elizabeth Brincklow
• Ryan Michel/ Sheila Cowley
• John Pendygraft/ Brooks Peters
• Mark Mitchell/ Lisa Spencer
• Laine Nixon/ Sabrina Dalla Valle
• Marc Levasseur/ Nathan Van Coops
• Jenipher Chandley/ Tracy Kennard
• Josh Poll, collaboration with Dave Walker Glass, Daddy O Glass/ Jon Kile
• Ya’ La Ford/ Matt Cowley
• Mike Elwell/ Scott Harrell
• Duncan McClellan/ Heather Sellers
Readers:
• Lisa Powers Tricomi
• Erica Sutherlin
• Mark Aeling
• Mimi Rice
• Rich Rice
• Bob Heitman
• Janet Keeler
• Angela Bond
• Sabrina Dalla Valle
Directed by Bob Devin Jones
Many thanks to our 2017 Sponsors: Sylvia Rusche Insurance Agency, Inc, J. Clayton Pruitt Foundation, Soft Water Studios, The Studio@620, Creative Loafing Tampa, Uncommon Legal, P.A.,The Hubbard Family, Beth Morean, Black Crow Coffee Co, Independent Bar St.Petersburg, Jon and Monica Kile, Haslam’s Book Store Inc, Minuteman Press of St. Petersburg, FL , Russell Property Group, Fisher And Sauls, P.A., Maria “DR MO” Pertik, RN., Ph.D. Read and Write on!
Art featured in poster: “White Raven Speaks – the Second Horizon” by D YaeL Kelley