Solstice writing workshop - using art to inspire poetry
Description
Ekphrasis is the ancient poetic technique of writing about another work of art (painting, sculpture, etc).
Using the Solstice 26 ekphrastic art exhibition as inspiration, Melissa Watts will take writers on their own poetic journey as they learn the elements of ekphrasis, how to emotionally connect with an artwork of their choice and then write and edit at least one poem. Melissa will teach poets how to look deeper into both works to build emotional resonance, to consider tone, pace, point of view, setting, symbolism and a range of other poetic devices that will honour the original artwork but also generate a new poem. Participants will be provided with comprehensive handouts to allow them to continue their poetry journey after the class has concluded.
Melissa’s classes are always designed with three things in mind:
1 - that participants feel safe and supported to learn new skills and push creative boundaries regardless of where they are on their own creative journey
2 - that participants create new work or progress their current work-in-progress
3 - that participants leave feeling empowered.
The Solstice 26 exhibition involves Central Highlands writers responding to artworks produced by Soldiers Hill Artist Collective, and is supported by a Creative Ballarat Creative Inspiration grant.
The facilitator
About Melissa
Dr Melissa Watts has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (creative writing & literary studies) from the University of Melbourne (2004) and a PhD in creative writing & history from Federation University (2023). Melissa Watts has published poetry, fiction and non-fiction. In 2022 she published Small Towns, a collection of free-verse and structured poetry exploring the relationship between people and place. Her poems have inspired other artists to craft bronze statues and compose piano performances for audiences in New York and she was the 2024 judge of the Martha Richardson Poetry Prize. Melissa is the founder of Nine Cups Writing, an online writing school for writers, and those not calling themselves writers…yet. Her most popular course is online poetry circles with poets from across the globe.
FAQs
- What to bring
The workshop will be held at the Ballarat North Bowling Club. Due to a lack of nearby eateries, it is suggested that attendees bring their own lunch – there is a fridge and microwave on site. Tea and coffee will be available.
Please bring your favoured writing materials. Please note there is no wi-fi.
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