2025 EXPHRASTIC EXPERIENCE INVITATION
(Membership is encouraged… here’s how to become a member — https://towerpoetry.ca/membership/)
If you enjoyed the experience of Art Dundas Weekend’s Art Walk, we have another opportunity for you. Tower Poetry has arranged with the Art Gallery of Hamilton to have poets view works from their permanent collection and create ekphrastic poetry in response for National Poetry month, April 2025.
There are FIVE galleries of pieces from the AGH Permanent Collection from which to choose:
• Nova Steel Ltd Gallery
• Norval Morrisseau (all aboriginal art)
• Galbraith Memorial Gallery (contains sculpture)
• Bob and Maggie Carr Gallery
• Milton Harris Gallery (contains Group of Seven)
- and the Atrium.
Please note: The Hendrie Gallery exhibit will be changing so please do not choose art from that gallery.
It doesn’t matter if your heart is lured by sculpture more than painting, or if your mind speaks to the modern or classical, there is something to inspire every poet.
PROCESS
(Please read these instructions carefully, paying particular attention to subj. line instructions. You can save the page, or print out the instructions, Ekphrastic Invite.)
The AGH will admit Tower poets to view the Permanent Collection located on Gallery level 2 on Thursdays* through Sundays from January 6 through 31, 2025.
AGH Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 11 am – 9 pm
Friday 11 am – 6 pm
Saturday 11 am – 5 pm
Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
* AGH is free to visit all day on Thursdays; access to Gallery 2 (permanent collection) is always free.
The AGH is CLOSED on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and all statutory holidays unless otherwise listed.
If you wish to participate (and we really hope you will), YOU MUST REGISTER by emailing
info@towerpoetry.ca with AGH YES [your name] in the subject line at the earliest opportunity.
Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation that you can show to the gallery staff to gain admittance without fee.** AGH will also be sent a list of the participating Tower members so they know who will be visiting.
You can choose up to two pieces of art.
Please note: If you intend to write or take notes while in the gallery, PENCIL only please.
Once you have done so, please email the title(s) and artist(s) to info@towerpoetry.ca using AGH choices [your name] in the subject line.
Please choose two alternate pieces of art in the event of conflict. Confirmation of your choices will be sent as soon as possible so you can begin your work.
For your information, AGH will be sent a list of the artworks chosen.
Your completed responsive poetry will be due by 12 midnight on February 10, 2025 to info@towerpoetry.ca using AGH poems [your name] in the subject line.
** You may submit up to 4 poems. The number of poems submitted will determine the number in the self-guided tour booklet available at the AGH during the month of April. Please rank your submissions in order of preference. Again, the numbers of submitted poems will determine how many get read aloud on the special event day (yet to be determined).
Please consider that poems will be printed on half of a bifold 8.5×11″ page, so please bear that in mind. Essentially, each poem should fit on one half page. At the editors discretion, when formatting the poems for print, long poems will be in smaller type sizes, and long lines with odd spaces may be altered slightly.
Please include a brief bio of no more than 50 words with your submitted poems. Bios that exceed this limit will be edited at the coordinator’s discretion.
APRIL 2025
This is an opportunity to put our poetry into the public forum for the entirety of National Poetry Month. Tower Poetry will produce a brochure that gallery visitors can take to read your poetry when they reach the permanent collection galleries during April. Please note: the poetry will not be displayed next to the artworks. The brochure will be the key to the ekphrastic experience.
On a date yet to be determined in late April, beginning at 1pm, Tower poets will be stationed at various locations in the permanent collection galleries to read aloud the selections for visitors who wish to share in the experience.
If you wish to volunteer to read, please let us know via info@towerpoetry.ca with AGH reader [your name] in the subject line. You do not have to be a submitting poet to be a reader.
As this is our first time collaborating with the AGH, some issues arising. Please be patient as we work through any inconveniences. If there’s something we haven’t thought of, if there’s a gap that needs filling, please speak up.
“Your participation will help make this event a success. Thank you in advance.”
Rebecca Clifford, AGH-Tower Event Coordinator
Additional Notes:
Do I really need to be a member to participate? No, but for future events, yes… otherwise, we cannot have events. It’s easy & a great deal because you can participate in other wonderful poetic offerings, such as this! And, you know, we appreciate your help to promote poetry:) Here’s how you can become a Tower Poetry Society Member, today –> https://towerpoetry.ca/membership/)
** Although membership in and contributions to the AGH are encouraged, they are by no means a prerequisite for participation in this event.
** if you have a Hamilton Public Library card, you can show it at the entrance for free admission anytime.