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ArtPoems grows in numbers and popularity

By Staff | Mar 26, 2009

It began as a conversation, blossomed into an idea and then exploded into something sexy, sad, happy and thoughtful.

This is the world of ArtPoems, a concept developed by poet Lorraine Vail and fine-tuned and publicized by fellow poet Joe Pacheco.

ArtPoems is a sort of new art form that uses poetry to describe art and vice versa. Vail said ArtPoems evolved from ekphrasis or the graphic, often dramatic description of a piece of art.

Vail’s vision of randomly pairing local artists and poets together in order to create a collaborative work started three years ago with a couple of artists ballooned into something much bigger. At first they had challenges drawing artists now they have a waiting list, Vail said.

ArtPoems inspires the poets and artists to think outside of their normal realms.

“I was able to produce some great poems that I am proud of – which I wouldn’t have it it had not been for the collaboration,” said Joe Pacheco.

This year’s ArtPoem subjects range from saucy shoes, politics and love affairs that never had a chance to ignite.

For the past several years ArtPoems has been held at BIG ARTS. This year ArtPoems has 13 artists and 13 poets. ArtPoems will be held on two nights at two different venues including the recently opened 2 Islands Art Gallery on Captiva and The Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers.

“It’s been a wonderful process and well-received,” Vail said.

This year a videographer who has been recording artists and poets creating ArtPoems will show the video during a presentation at The Alliance for the Arts.

The magic of collaboration between poet and artist will be held on Sunday, March 29th, 1 p.m. at 2 Islands Art Gallery, South Seas Plantation and at Alliance for the Arts on Saturday, April 3, Friday evening at 7 p.m.

2 Islands Gallery is located in the Chadwick Square, 5400 Plantation Road, Captiva Island. For more information, call 472-7633. Southern punch and fruit will be served at the event.

The Alliance for the Arts is located at10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. for more information, call 239-939-2787.

At both venues, poets and artists will present a wide range of paintings, sculpture, raku, mixed media, digital photography, soft fabric sculpture bookarts was presented with their poetic inspirations: villanelles, sonnets, ballads, free verse, renga by Southwest Florida artists and poets.

For publicity information, call Joe Pacheco at 472-1280 or sanibeljoe@comcast.net and for program information, call Lorraine Vail at 395-3479 LorraineAV@msn.com.

(Press reports contributed to the story).