Poets & Painters “Springtime in Winter: An Ekphrastic Study in Art, Poetry and Music”

Poets & Painters

“Springtime in Winter: An Ekphrastic Study in Art, Poetry and Music”

The artists of Reston Art Gallery & Studios are delighted to present their first Poets & Painters collaboration with the Poetry Society of Virginia, “Springtime in Winter: An Ekphrastic Study in Art, Poetry and Music” on exhibit from February 22 through February 26. A special reception on Wednesday, February 22 from 7-9 p.m. will feature readings and music created to complement the works of eight fine artists. Vice versa, the artists’ paintings are inspired by the words of the poets, all following the theme of “Springtime in Winter.” Everyone is welcome to attend the reception and indulge the senses of sight and sound combined with the emotional experience of poetry with “An Ekphrastic Study in Art, Poetry and Music.”

The concept for this collaboration was created by Mike Maggio, Northern Regional Vice President of the Poetry Society of Virginia, and adjunct professor at the Loudoun Campus of Northern Virginia Community College. “This is the first collaboration between PSV and RAGS,” he says. “We also have Herndon Middle School, Herndon High School and a music professor from George Mason involved, so this collaboration has grown quite a bit.” In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, ekphrasis is defined as “a literary description of or commentary on a visual work of art.” Maggio explains further, “Ekphrasis also refers to an artist of one genre – painting, for example – responding to another, such as poetry. In this case, we have musicians, pets and artists all collaborating and working together.” (see below for the list of participants.)

“This is an exciting opportunity for us, to respond to the creations of our poets in mutual collaboration as they write about our visual works,” according to artist Pat Macintyre.

To commemorate the exhibit, a CD will be produced featuring the paintings, words, and music of “Springtime in Winter.” The Poets & Painters exhibit will begin at the Reston Art Gallery & Studios from January 20 – February 21 and conclude at the Waddell Gallery at Northern Virginia Community College in Loudoun as a focal point for the poetry Society of Virginia’s conference on Saturday, March 25 from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m.

Poetry Society of Virginia participants: Cathy Hailey, Claudia Gary, Don Carlson, Steve Bucher, Susana Notar, Jack Underhill, Stanley Galloway, Bennie Herron.

Participating artists of Reston Art Gallery & Studios: Gail Axtell-Erwin, Dorothy Donahey, Ronni Jolles, Joan Kelly, Maggie Stewart, Roberta Thole, Wayne Schiffelbein, Pat MacIntyre.

Music Composers: Brian Scarbrough, Jesse Guessford.

Musical Director: Bette Gawinski.

Participating Herndon High School students: Karim Maggio, Mary Ogborn, Michelle Train, Sarah Przybysz.

Poetry Society of Virginia (PSV), active since 1923, has helped to advance the cause and appreciation of petry throughout Virginia through publications, readings, contests, open mics, workshops, in-school programs, poetry festivals, and other special events and activities. Membership in the Poetry Society of Virginia has grown to more than four-hundred, and it is supported by state and national funding through the Virginia Commission for the Arts, www.arts.virginia.gov and National Endowment for the Arts, www.arts.gov. For more information, find The Poetry Society of Virginia on Facebook/PoetryVA and visit www.poetrysocietyofvirginia.org.

Reston Art Gallery & Studios (RAGS), established in 1986 is a cooperative exhibit space and working studio for nine fine artists whose latest works are featured in special shows each month. Situated on the quayside of Reston’s Lake Anne waterfront, the gallery’s glass exterior offers the chance to see RAGS artists working in their studio spaces. Comparable to a mini-version of the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia, the public is invited to admire, peruse, and purchase original art directly from its source. For more information call RAGS at 703-481-8156, find it on Facebook, and learn more about the gallery and each of the artists at www.RestonArtGallery.com.

For more information on the exhibit and artists or to purchase sponsorships please visit our website at ArtSpaceHerndon.com.

Arts Herndon is an independent 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization and serves as the official arts agency of the Town of Herndon. We operate ArtSpace Herndon, the Art Gallery and Performance Space at 750 Center Street, Herndon. We also provide arts education, arts scholarships, works of public art and grants to small arts organizations and artists. All Arts Herndon programming and exhibits are made possible in part by generous contributions from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Town of Herndon, the Arts Council of Fairfax County, the Nelson J and Katherine Friant Post Foundation, Steve and Pat Macintyre, and by our generous sponsors, supporters and volunteers. Visit us on the web at www.HerndonArts.org or ArtSpaceHerndon.org.