Into and beyond the frame

Unbind yourself and morph into a ventriloquist as you try different voices, personas and angles in our upcoming ekphrastic writing workshop.

A stimulating springboard for both novice and experienced writers, drafting ekphrastic poems is a process of possibility and discovery. Published poet, educator and art lover Judith Youngers guides participants in viewing visual art to conjure voices and word images.

Participants will be encouraged to start at least three writing pieces with a focus on poetry. Explorations can include flash fiction, micro fiction (a “short short”) or creative nonfiction. Back by popular demand, Youngers trusts that you’ll find this fresh workshop supportive, challenging, intimate, engaging and fun.

So one might ask, “What is ekphrastic poetry?” Ekphrasis translates to “description” in Greek. An ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art. Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting on the action of a painting or sculpture, the poet may amplify and expand its meaning.

An example would be John Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn” in which the poet speculates on the identity of the lovers who appear to dance and play music, while at the same time frozen in time and in perpetual motion.

• Writing/poetry workshop: Into and Beyond the Frame, June 25, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Sixteen students maximum. Bring your preferred writing tools. Handouts will be provided. Sketchbooks, pencils and books of poetry are available to purchase from Studio Comfort Texas. Drinking water and light snacks will be provided. Cost is $40 per person, Studio Comfort Texas, 716 High St., Comfort. For information or to register email [email protected] or call 830-995-3750.

• Cave Without a Name presents American Stories with the Marbrel Trio, July 2, 7:30 p.m., Cave Throne Room.

American Stories is a rousing exploration of American patriotic music and stories of American composers from Independence Day through modern times. American greats Stephen Foster, Scott Joplin, George M. Cohan, Gershwin, Copland, Bernstein and more come to life through the unique storytelling and comedy of the Marbrel Trio. The trio consists of three talented musicians: Mark Landson (viola), Brent Buemi (clarinet) and Eldred Marshall (keyboard) with Allison Stanford as guest sopranist. Cave Without a Name is located at 325 Kreutzberg Road. For information and tickets, email cwan@ cavewithoutaname.com, or call 830-537-4212.

Like us on Facebook! Visit our website often at www.hccarts.org. Artists groups interested in visiting The Classroom to discuss the possibilities may send inquiry to [email protected].

HCCArts Calendar

• Join HCCArts at 6:30 p.m. June 25 at Salvador Dobbs, for a practice Masskrugstemmen (pronounced MAHSS-kroog-stem-men) or you can save your strength for the competition and simply call it Steinholding. Cost is $20 per person to compete; keep your 34-ounce stein filled with beer. HCCArts is a proud member of the U.S. Steinholding Association. 512 River Road, Boerne.

HCCArts Art AfterHours 2022, Series 4

Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. in the comfort of The Classroom at the AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center, 102 City Park Road, Boerne. Cost is $35 each session; discount with membership. Class descriptions and limited registration www.hccarts. org/workshops.

• June 21: Rice Paper Resist. Dive into Tar Gel Medium as we use this flowing resist to create translucent sheets of rice paper. Explore color and layers on rice paper substrate. Transform the opaque paper to a sheer graphic enhancement with the use of paint, stencils, palette knives, and brushes.

• June 28: Indigo Dyeing. Ex perience the oldest form of textile dye used throughout the world for over 6000 years. Watch the amazing transformation of this deep blue dye as it is exposed to oxygen. Practice the art of Shibori dyeing using folds, twists and forms to produce amazing patterns.

• July 5 and 12: Paper Clay Casting.