Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): Art Talks Back: Exploring Ekphrastic Poetry

Teen Class Description:

Art urges us to look more closely at the world around us, and at ourselves. In and around Boston, there’s an ever changing gallery of portraits and messages from local artists. In this generative writing workshop, participants will choose an image to have a “conversation” with. Each writer will be given prompts and questions in order to interact with their image. After having this dialogue with art, writers can pick eight of their favorite lines and arrange them into a working draft of an ekphrastic poem, to share with each other and the community.

Class Takeaways:

Students will gain tools to interact with art actively, honing their attention to the details of form, color and subject and developing their own insights about and personal connections with art. They will get acquainted with local art and artists, taking a virtual tour of Boston and surrounding cities as they write about local, public art. Last but not least, they will come away with an ekphrastic poem, likely the start of their own collection of works in this vibrant and engaging writing style.

Note About Our NEW Class Format: 

We’ve made our remote classes more flexible than ever — with plenty of optional portions designed to allow for screen breaks — while still keeping us connected as a writing community. Learn more. 

How Remote Learning works: 

This class will be hosted remotely! You will be able to participate in class via Zoom video conference from wherever you’re most comfortable. All you’ll need is a laptop or a phone! About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting via Zoom–no need to download anything or sign up for Zoom in advance! 

For parents registering their teens: 

*Note: Parents/guardians must complete this permission form online if your teen is under 18.* Unlike previous forms, you only need to fill this out ONE TIME, not for every class. If you cannot remember whether you have already filled it out, please email [email protected] and we will check for you!

If you do not complete the form, registrations could be voided and the cancellation policy will apply. If the student is 18, simply let us know at [email protected]. 

*If you are registering on behalf of your teen, add their email information in the “For a Friend or Child?” field on the right-hand side of the screen before you check out. This will send them a direct link and reminder to create their own profile with GrubStreet. 

(After adding the class to your cart, click "Checkout" and click “Add” next to “For a Friend or Child?” on the right-hand side to fill in their email. This is an easy way of linking the class to your child and encourages them to create their own account.)