The Ekphrastic Academy

08/19/2026

What's the deal with Cy Twombly? Join us on zoom for a discussion on art, life, and poetry, diving into the story of this fascinating artist. Ultramodern art, often derided as "scribbling," yet Twombly took inspiration and nourishment from the ancient past. Painting, yet always inspired by poetry. Popular, yet Twombly was quite reclusive, and extremely guarded, giving only a handful of interviews and seldom showing up at his exhibitions. We will use some of his work to inspire our own poetry after learning more about his life and paintings.

the ekphrastic review: visual art and writing, ekphrastic poetry, ekphrastic flash fiction, ekphrastic prose, ekphrastic essays, writing and literature responding to visual art

08/18/2026

Last chance to sign up for Compelling Conflicts in Flash Fiction, a three week zoom course that starts tomorrow, with WOW! Women On Writing. This course will be both practical and fun, as we explore the importance of conflict in stories, how conflict differs in flash from longer forms, and how to use it to bring your characters to life. We will be reading stories, writing stories, and looking at all kinds of conflicts, with fun creative exercises. Conflict will come naturally to your stories by the end of this series! https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/classroom/LoretteLuzajic_ConflictFlashFiction.html

07/28/2026

Join us at Women on Writing for a zoom on Crafting Titles!

In this workshop, the editor of The Ekphrastic Review and The Mackinaw will talk about the importance of titles in creative writing. We will look at traditional and innovative titling conventions and discuss great titles in the history of literature.

07/24/2026

Join us for a sip and snip night! We will make surreal collages. On zoom.

the ekphrastic review: visual art and writing, ekphrastic poetry, ekphrastic flash fiction, ekphrastic prose, ekphrastic essays, writing and literature responding to visual art

07/20/2026

Join us Wednesday on Zoom for an adventure through triumph and tragedy as we follow photographer Tina Modotti from Italy to USA to Mexico to Russia to Spain. Tina's stunning photography bore witness to life of everyday people in Mexico. She was a fiercely independent spirit who lived against the grain, a silent film actress and model, photographer, and revolutionary. We will use some of her photography to inspire our own poems or stories.

the ekphrastic review: visual art and writing, ekphrastic poetry, ekphrastic flash fiction, ekphrastic prose, ekphrastic essays, writing and literature responding to visual art

06/30/2026

The Ekphrastic Academy page has been updated with oodles of craft and art offerings, remade to hopefully be easier to navigate. Check out what's on offer from here to year end. Titles, collage nights, Flash Conflicts, Symbolism, Christ in Art, Cemetery Art, Chagall, Twombly, Sharon Olds, and much more...

Art Appreciation and Creative Writing with The Ekphrastic Review.

06/27/2026

Lots of new adds at The Ekphrastic Academy: monthly Ekphrasis Anonymous generative writing sessions for ekphrastic addicts, through December; Cy Twombly, Crafting Titles, photographer Tina Modotti, surrealist collage making night, Chagall, Graveyard Ghosts, Ekphrastic Journaling, and more. We have single session themes and longer classes on a variety of artists, craft subjects, and collage nights. Most of our workshops are live and focus on community, conversation, and creativity. Join us!

Art Appreciation and Creative Writing with The Ekphrastic Review.

06/23/2026

Discover the fascinating story of Italian-American photographer Tina Modotti in Mexico. A free spirit with a mind of her own, she was a movie actress, photographer and social justice activist. Her photos document the people of Mexico.

the ekphrastic review: visual art and writing, ekphrastic poetry, ekphrastic flash fiction, ekphrastic prose, ekphrastic essays, writing and literature responding to visual art

06/19/2026

Join us for a zoom session on Ekphrastic Haibun. This Japanese form blending prose and poetry is gorgeously suited to words inspired by visual art!

the ekphrastic review: visual art and writing, ekphrastic poetry, ekphrastic flash fiction, ekphrastic prose, ekphrastic essays, writing and literature responding to visual art

06/14/2026

Join us on zoom to dive into the world of The Impressionists. It's hard to believe that the most popular landscape, garden, and ballet paintings, works of great beauty, originally shocked the critics and the public. The Impressionists rebelled against tradition and forged the path for a new way of understanding art. We will look at work by important Impressionist artists like Monet, women artists, and "forgotten" Impressionists. And we will use several works to inspire our poems or stories.

the ekphrastic review: visual art and writing, ekphrastic poetry, ekphrastic flash fiction, ekphrastic prose, ekphrastic essays, writing and literature responding to visual art