The Art Embraces Poetry program at Town Hall Theatre Main Stage in 2025 hosted by Lamorinda Arts Council debuted the Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) Open Mic. It was introduced by YAP leaders Sharanya Roy and Emma Wong, pictured far right in the front row.
Local poets and artists are collaborating on an unusual program called “Ekphrasis Poetry From Original Art.” Ekphrasis – basically a written work that interprets a visual work of art – can be found as long ago as Homer’s “Iliad,” and has had a rich history since.
For this exhibition, artists sent images of their 2D artwork to me and Linda Hartmann, co-chairs of Lamorinda Arts Council’s (LAC) Art Embraces Poetry program.
Together, we catalogued the images and sent them to poets who previously signed up. Next the poets ranked the images that inspired them the most and then one image was assigned to each poet who wrote about it. The mystery is that the artists and poets – and you, dear readers – do not find out who is paired with who until the day of the event. And the ages of poets and artists range from teens to seniors.
It all comes together at the Town Hall Theatre in downtown Lafayette on Sept. 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. when LAC Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) teen leaders Charlie Rivera-Gu of Miramonte and Sharanya Roy of Dougherty Valley High School work with the co-chairs to introduce each artist and poet to each other for the first time on the main stage.
A chapbook, which includes the program, all poems and artwork is provided.
Each artist then presents their artwork immediately followed by the poet who reads their paired poem. Each presentation is followed by a short Q&A.
At 4 p.m., after a group photo on stage of all artists and poets, presenters and guests gather downstairs in the lobby for a meet-and-greet after party. The charming lobby tables will be full of blossoms generously provided by Julie Carlson of the Lafayette Garden Club.
The historic theater boasts an ADA lift for access to the second-floor stage and frosty air-conditioning. Wine, soft drinks and snacks will be available for purchase in the lobby and may be brought upstairs into the theatre until 3:30 p.m.
Join those who love poetry and art at Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette townhalltheatre.com.
For more information email literary@LamorindaArts.org, visit LamorindaArts.org/art-embraces-poetry or call 925.359.9940. This program is generously funded by the Community Foundation of Lafayette.
