Architectures of Protection: An Ekphrastic Writing Workshop

To kick off the 10th anniversary of the Victoria Festival of Authors, the VFA’s board is offering an afternoon writing workshop at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Poets and writers will be invited to creatively respond to the Architectures of Protection exhibition (running from May 24-October 26, 2025) through language, image, metaphor, description, and conversation that engages with the exhibition and its ideas of protection and refuge, as they relate to community, culture, identity, and land.

In this three-hour workshop, participants will engage with and be guided through ways of responding to visual art using sensory language and will be encouraged to write two or three ekphrastic poems or prose pieces.

This exhibition features artworks by Dana Claxton, Jessica Karuhanga, Emilio Rojas, Beth Stuart, and France Trépanier.

VFA board members who will be running this workshop include: Yvonne Blomer, Meharoona Ghani, Nancy Issenman, Barbara Pelman, Christine Walde, and Cynthia Woodman Kerkham.

This workshop is made possible thanks to the sponsorship of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

Wednesday, October 15, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria / 1040 Moss Street

Tickets: $30 regular / $20 unwaged* (both fees include AGGV admission)

Contact VFA by September 30 for ASL interpretation

* A limited number of bursaries may be available. Please contact the festival for further information (info@victoriafestivalofauthors.ca).