Lose yourself in the creative process next week at “Poetry at Poquatuck,” an annual celebration of poetry and art that begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at historic Poquatuck Hall in Orient.
Nine poets and 10 artists are participating in this year’s event, which will feature 10-minute poetry readings, poetic pairings and a pop-up gallery.
“It’s not for everybody, but it’s a fun evening,” said event founder Linton Duell of Orient, former owner of the Orient Country Store. He said he created the concept about 10 years ago while looking for ways to entertain North Fork residents in the middle of winter.
“The poets we have now, their writings are mainstream in many ways,” Duell said. “They make you think.”
In addition to reading their own work, participating poets will each read one poem inspired by an artistic work created by a local artist they’ve partnered with for the evening.
Referred to as “ekphrastic poetry,” this form of writing was “wildly popular for participants and audience members alike” when introduced in 2014, event organizer and participating poet Yvonne Lieblein said.
One of the most famous examples of an ekphrastic poem, she said, is “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” in which poet John Keats “speculates on the identity of the lovers who appear to dance and play music, simultaneously frozen in time and in perpetual motion.”
Besides Lieblein, poets taking part in this year’s event are Miranda Beeson, David Berson, Vivian Eyre, Pierre Gazarian, Billy Hands, Jason Hefter, Suffolk County Poet Laureate Pramila Venkaetswaran and former Suffolk County Poet Laureates Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan and Ed Steve.
Participating artists are Emily Bosworth, Morgan Gildersleeve, Gail Horton, Kristian Iglesias, Holly Mastrangelo, Estefany Molina, Cindy Pease Roe, Nadira Vlaun, William Steeple Davis Artist in Residence Sarah Prescott and former William Steeple Davis Artist in Residence Alan Bull.
“It’s an interesting forum for people in the area,” Duell said. “Some are professionals, some are not. It’s eclectic.”
The event costs $10 at the door and is BYOB. All proceeds benefit Poquatuck Hall. For more information, search for Poetry at Poquatuck on Facebook.
Poquatuck Hall is located at 1160 Skipper’s Lane in Orient.
