Ekphrasis and Its Reverse: A Conversation Between a Visual Artist and a Poet

Poet David Wagoner once noted that poetry and painting have been in conversation since humans first lived in caves. If ekphrasis is poetry written in response to visual art, then reverse ekphrasis is visual art created in response to poetry. Both practices draw from emotional depths, working through imagery, symbolism, layered meaning, and narrative.

In this workshop and discussion, Michele Bombardier and Catherine Callanan will explore the common ground between visual art and poetry, with a focus on how engaging with creative processes across disciplines can deepen our own artistic practice. Artists and writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are warmly encouraged to participate.

Michele Bombardier is the author of What We Do, a Washington Book Award finalist, and Don't Ask Me How I Know (forthcoming). She is the 2025 winner of the NORward Prize in Poetry and is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Bainbridge Island where she is active in…