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Live Generative Writing Workshops on Ekphrasis

Hooked on Ekphrasis: Creative Writing From Visual Art with Lorette C. Luzajic

Hooked on Ekphrasis: Creative Writing From Visual Art with Lorette C. Luzajic

START DATE: Tuesday, February 4, 2025

END DATE: Tuesday, February 25, 2025

DURATION:  4 weeks

LOCATION:  Live Zoom Classes and Email

MEETING TIME:  Tuesdays, 2 pm - 4 pm EST

FEEDBACK:  Instructor Feedback on Two Drafts and Encouraging Workshop

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Ekphrastic writing is the practice of creative writing from visual art. People who love ekphrasis describe being hooked once they start, because it is a wonderful way to expand our imagination, grow our writing, and learn more about visual art. In this class, we will look at the 3000-year history of ekphrasis, and explore fun ways to create our own. We will read inspiring examples, find ideas through brainstorming and writing exercises, and talk about how and where to submit our ekphrastic poetry and stories.

Format:
4 weeks for 120 minutes in person via Zoom each week: Tuesdays, 2 pm - 4 pm EST. Dates: February 4, 11, 18, and 25. The class will include time for sharing in class and peer comments. The instructor will also offer feedback on two drafts of ekphrastic writing via email.

This course definitely fulfilled the "Wow" factor already in the first class. ~ Elissa G.

By the end of the first class I was exhausted AND exhilarated and oh so happy to have been there. I'm hooked. ~ Susie W.

Truly, you are one of the best teachers I've ever had. ~ Karen F.

Lorette is one of the most vibrant, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable workshop leaders I've encountered, and I've worked with about a dozen of the top poets in the U.S., including Naomi Shihab Nye, Ted Kooser, and Jane Hirshfield. No one should get bored by coming back again and again. It's amazing how she keeps the topic fresh: always varied, always full of more prompts and resources to check, and most important of all, always welcoming to everyone who shows up. ~ Alarie T.

In 2024, while dealing with a serious medical condition, I've taken a wild ride with Lorette C. Luzajic and ekphrasis. Writing in response to art is helping me heal at the soul level, and for that, I am forever grateful. ~ Barbara K.

I signed up for my first workshop with Lorette in 2022 through Women in the Visual and Literary Arts. By the end of that session, I was truly Hooked on Ekphrasis. Since then, I've joined many of her classes, each time deepening my knowledge of art, writing, and self-discovery. Lorette brings a wealth of insight into both art and artists, creating a welcoming space that encourages everyone to engage in ways that feel most authentic. Her workshops offer multiple approaches to exploring and practicing writing about art—whether in poetry, prose, or something entirely unique. Every experience in her classes has enriched my life and strengthened my creative work. ~ Kathi C.

This course went well beyond my expectations. Lorette's tranquil demeanor belies the many new ideas and contexts for old ideas she offers. All her examples empower listeners to think of themselves as potential creators. For both beginners and veterans, she provides a fresh, worldly look at the task of writing prose or poetry inspired by art. Lorette has extensive knowledge and empathy, two sterling qualities for teaching . I expect to be a frequent "Zoomer" of Lorette based on my experience. Yes, I am "hooked"! ~ Mary L.

Lorette conducted a wonderful class, with a great deal of encouragement and information provided. The visual prompts included were so evocative, and the discussions lively and insightful. I'll be looking to join another of her class offering in the future! ~ Mary G.

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:

Week One: Introduction to the Fantastic Practice of Ekphrasis!

  • Defining Ekphrasis
  • Ekphrasis About Art vs Ekphrasis Inspired By Art
  • A Brief History of Ekphrastic Literature
  • A look at various books on ekphrasis
  • Reading historical and contemporary examples of ekphrasis
  • The Benefits of Ekphrasis: limitless inspiration while learning about art history
  • Brainstorming Exercises with Various Artworks
  • Assignment to complete and hand in draft from class work, with additional optional reading and writing homework

Week Two: Approaches to Ekphrasis

  • Understanding the main approaches: the freewrite and the investigative reporter.
  • Creative writing exercises using these main approaches.
  • Looking at other ways to approach ekphrastic writing.
  • Examples of ekphrasis showing different approaches: reading and discussion.
  • Assignment to complete and hand in draft from class work, with additional optional reading and writing homework.

Week Three: Art Appreciation For Writers: How Looking at Art Can Make You a Better Writer

  • You don’t have to be an art historian or know anything about art to practice ekphrasis.
  • Learning more about art through writing.
  • Follow your curiosity.
  • Expand your taste.
  • Challenging yourself with a variety of art results in unexpected poetry and stories.
  • Ways to explore visual art history.
  • Exercises and prompts with different artworks.
  • Assignment to complete and hand in draft from class work, with additional optional reading and writing homework.

Week Four: Submitting and Publishing Ekphrastic Writing

  • How to submit your ekphrastic poetry and stories.
  • Acknowledging artworks.
  • Copyright information and permissions.
  • Journals that publish ekphrastic works.
  • Resources for ekphrastic writing.
  • Assignment to complete and hand in draft from class work, with additional optional reading and writing homework.

Materials needed:  Computer with Internet. Access to Zoom and email.


Lorette C. Luzajic

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:  Lorette C. Luzajic is the founding editor of The Ekphrastic Review, the flagship journal of ekphrasis. She teaches ekphrasis, art appreciation, and creative writing widely through the journal and by Zoom to audiences around the world. She has hundreds of ekphrastic poems and short stories in journals and anthologies. She has been nominated a handful of times each for the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, Best Microfiction, Best Small Fictions, and Best American Food Writing. She has placed twice in Best Small Fictions. She is the author of several ekphrastic collections of prose poetry and small fictions. Lorette is also an award-winning visual artist with collectors in forty countries so far.

 

COST:  $150, which includes four live Zoom classes, instructor feedback, peer workshopping, and discussions.

BUY NOW:  Hooked on Ekphrasis: Creative Writing From Visual Art with Lorette C. Luzajic (4 weeks, starting 2/4/2025) Limit: 20 students. Early registration is recommended.

This class is full. Please check here for our current schedule.

For Class Starting 2/4/2025

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Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name, email address, and contact info will be submitted to your instructor.

Questions? Email Marcia & Angela at:
classroom[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com

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Additional Testimonials for Lorette C. Luzajic:

These workshops, with inspiring art prompts and educational descriptions by the brilliant artist and writer Lorette C. Luzajic, can be used like a secret remedy for letting the creative genie out of her bottle. ~ Meg Pokrass

I had never done an Ekphrastic workshop—in fact, had never heard of it before I met Lorette at a flash fiction conference. I joined a workshop out of curiosity and became an instant convert. The art chosen for the workshop was inspiring and the prompts Lorette gave us generated a lot of discussion and writing. There are so many things to love about these workshops from the joy of walking away with several great stories, or at least story ideas, to the excitement of learning about new artists. But the best part is the community—even as a newbie who had never been to one of these workshops before, I felt wholly welcomed by both Lorette and the other participants. ~ Finn Burnett

If you love learning about art and artists and if you love writing, Lorette's workshops are the perfect place to twine those loves together! Comfortable, educational and inspiring, these two enjoyable hours fly by. And like me, you may linger breathing in the riches of The Ekphrastic Review for your heart and soul. ~ Fran Turner

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