'Mina Project' To Explore Legacy Of Trailblazing Poet At Newtown Gallery

NEWTOWN, PA — ArtWRKD, a Bucks County gallery and performance space dedicated to experimental and interdisciplinary art, has announced the launch of "The Mina Project," a winter–spring 2026 multimedia poetry and film initiative exploring the life and legacy of trailblazing 20th-century artist and poet Mina Loy.

Led by poet, filmmaker, and curator Vasiliki Katsarou, "The Mina Project" will unfold through a series of immersive, weekend-long workshops hosted at ArtWRKD, culminating in filmed performance material and a work-in-progress poetry-film installation.

ArtWRKD celebrates innovative approaches to art-making through special projects that foster curation, experimentation, and creative incubation. By breaking down traditional structures and constraints, ArtWRKD creates an environment that nurtures bold ideas, fresh perspectives, andgroundbreaking collaborations.

"The Mina Project is a collaborative, process-driven exploration of Mina Loy’s radical artistic vision — situated within modernism, feminism, and early techno-futurism—and its resonance today," said Ashara Shapiro, founder and resident artist. "Through writing, performance, design, and video experimentation, participants will work together to generate original material that reflects Loy’s legacy while speaking to contemporary creative concerns."

Shapiro said throughout the winter and spring, ArtWRKD will host the evolving work-in-progress through a sequence of immersive workshops designed to help participants hone skills, gain hands-on experience, and build creative relationships that may extend into future projects.

Workshop Schedule

All workshops take place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at ArtWRKD, 126 South State Street, Newtown. Lunch is provided.

• Workshop No. 1. Experimental Writing takes place Jan. 24 and 25. Led by Vasiliki Katsarou, the poetry and text-focused workshop functions as a Mina Loy reading group and generative writing lab. Participants will explore Loy’s experimental language and themes through close reading and discussion, culminating in the creation of original poems and other experimental texts. Required reading (prior to workshop): Lost Writings by Mina Loy, edited by Karla Kelsey (Yale University Press). Fee: $275

• Workshop No. 2. Bringing Writing to the Stage takes place March 7 and 8. Led by Vasiliki Katsarou and ArtWRKD founder Ashara Shapiro, the performance-based workshop focuses on adaptation and foundational performance techniques. Participants will begin with a read-through of selected writings by Mina Loy alongside original work developed in Workshop No. 1. Short scripts will be developed, inspiring movement exploration and performance experiments. Fee: $375

• Workshop #3. Mask-Work, Set & Costume Design takes place March 21 and 22. Led by Vasiliki Katsarou and Ashara Shapiro, the workshop delves deeper into performance and choreography while expanding into mask-work, costume, and set design, further shaping the visual and physical language of the project. Fee: $375

• Videography Weekend takes place May 2 nd 3. Participants from Workshops 1–3 will be invited to assist in the filming of experimental scenes derived from the writing and performance work. Filming will be directed by Vasiliki Katsarou and captured by Brooklyn-based filmmaker Tommy Gonzalez. Participants who take on crew roles will receive credit in the final film. A rough-cut screening will be presented at ArtWRKD at a later date (TBD). This session marks the transition of the project into its next phase of editing and installation.

Registration & Scholarships

Workshops are open to the public, including emerging and experienced poets, writers, filmmakers, designers, and creatives of all kinds, ages 21+. Participants may register for individual workshops or attend multiple sessions. Participation in all workshops is encouraged but not required. A limited number of scholarships are available. For details and registration inquiries: email Vasiliki Katsarou at cineutopia@gmail.com