Making It Speak

In Fall of 2013, an artistic challenge was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Members of the Sheboygan Visual Artists and members of the Mead Library Poetry Circle decided to take on the task of creating new pieces in response to poems and artwork assigned randomly to their members. The results would become the source of the March 2014 Final Friday exhibit at EBCO Artworks in Sheboygan. That December, coordinators of each group received envelopes to distribute to those who wanted to participate. The poets submitted three poems each which would be handed to the artists in a sealed, unmarked envelope. And each of the artists submitted three photos of artwork to inspire the writing of new poetry, also placed in sealed, unmarked envelopes. Next, each participant was randomly assigned an envelope from the other group from which to select one piece to inspire a new work of art or a new poem. Several months later, an opening reception was held on March 28, 2014, the Final Friday event of the Sheboygan Visual Artists. The resulting side-by-side exhibit of old and new poetry and art was the perfect backdrop for a different sort of reception. The poets were asked to recite their poetry aloud to a captive audience of family and friends while the artists stood next to the inspiring or resulting art pieces. With appetizers and beverages to share along with the art and poetry, it was quite the evening to remember. The exhibit and opening reception were equally exciting for all who participated. This book commemorates that collaboration.