June 2019 Newsletter
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Creativity is contagious—pass it on.
~ Albert Einstein
Image: “Kandinsky’s Slippers” by Denise Zygadlo.
Poem of the Month
ART THERAPY
by Aaric Tan Xiang Yeow
The key is to construct a self from
scraps. Be it an origami lily with
a credit card bill, or collage pieced
using childhood photos. Think
of a lost puzzle piece, its edge
bent to fit. Think of a home
as a blueprint, with a toilet
tap that keeps dripping
even when tightened till
the forearm aches. Think of
window blinds as rebars,
a ribcage as an iron scaffold.
Think of father at the balcony,
eyes closed. Before him, the city
sprawling like his firstborn child,
excited with a crayon stick.
—from Rattle.com
About Ekphrasis
The poem above, written after Denise Zygadlo’s collage, is a piece of ekphrastic writing.
Perhaps the oldest form of writing about art, the word ekphrasis is the Greek for “description.” The Greek epic poets used ekphrasis to help bring legendary battles to life, painting scenes that couldn’t be seen with words. One of the earliest examples of ekphrastic poetry is probably Book 18 of Homer’s The Iliad, which includes a long and detailed description of Achilles’ shield. A more recent example is Jack Gilbert’s “Failing and Flying,” written after Bruegal’s “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus,” which characterizes the fallen Icarus as “coming to the end of his triumph.”
Over the centuries, ekphrasis has come to mean any creative writing about visual art. In his book Museum of Words, James A.W. Heffernan defines ekphrasis as “the verbal representation of visual representation”—but ekphrastic writing is more than just representation; it’s an imaginative act, where the the writer narrates the action of the artwork or reflects on the feelings or memories it evokes, and adds new layers of meaning to the original piece.
Every month, Rattle magazine hosts an Ekphrastic Challenge, posting one piece of visual art and encouraging poets to write in response. Over 300 writers submit poems each months, and two winners are chosen, including the poem above by Aaric Tan Xiang Yeow of Singapore. Visit the Ekphrastic Challenge page for more examples, and don’t hesitate to write your own!
This Month’s Events
A Taste of the Village
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(Wrightwood Village, Park Drive)
The Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce will host it’s annual “Taste of the Village” event. The map-guided tour gives attendees a taste of the hidden treasures our Village merchants offer. They include clothing, jewelry, flowers, antiques, gift boutiques, realty opportunities, library book sales and give-away memberships, Wrightwood Museum lecture, bicycle rentals, exercise/yoga classes, ziplining Canopy Tours, and our exceptional wine boutique and excellent restaurants. New this year will be an infusion of the arts of Wrightwood. Guests will be treated to professional musical groups of all genres; Gayle Dowling’s “wine and watercolor” class along with an artist showcase; theatre artists “The Story Chicks”; Rattle poetry editor Tim Green who will conduct a fun haiku workshop. Last, but not least, come see a “taste” of the artistry of our renowned Pine Needle Quilt Guild. The self-guiding map will list times, events and venues for all performances as well as a detailed guide to the merchants and their offerings.
Keyboard Art School of Music Annual Student Recital 2019
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
(United Methodist Church, 1543 Barbara St.)
Recitals give students of all ages and abilities the opportunity to learn and hone their performance skills and gain confidence performing in front of an audience. Please join us to hear the musicality of our students. Three recitals: 2:00, 3:30, and 5:00.
Free admission. For more information, visit the Keyboard Art webpage.
Adventure to the Maloof House
10:00 a.m. (start)
(5131 Carnelian St, Alta Loma, CA)
(Note: Registration for this event is now closed.) WAC members are going on another adventure tour to the Maloof House in Alta Loma, CA. Sam Maloof is acknowledged as one of the finest woodworkers of our time. As a leader of the California modern arts movement, he designed and produced furniture infused with profound artistic vision for more than half a century until his death in 2009. The WAC has arranged for a private Legacy Tour at 10:00 am on June 8 that includes the house tour, a step inside the woodworking shop, and visits to the woodworkers’ finish showroom and the wood storage (1-1/2 hours). We have also allowed time to visit the gardens and the Jacobs Education Center. For more information, visit our adventures page.
Centerstage: High Desert Keepers Benefit
2:00 p.m. (start)
(WW Community Center, 1275 Highway 2)
Beginning at 2pm, the Wrightwood Arts Center will present a short opening and reception for the summer Artist Spotlight features at the Community Center. Artwork by WAC teachers and students will be on display at the Community Center throughout the summer. Participating artists include: Gayle Dowling, Joan McCandless, Jan Vondra, Jan Thornhill, Joyce Wonderly, Chet Noll, Mike Singer, Leslie Sikes, Laura McKay, Deborah Merz, Manuela Wiener, Gail Nieto, Kathy Smith, and Michelle Schneider.
Immediately following the reception, Centerstage will present a fundraiser for the High Desert Keepers, with live music by the Greg Jones Trio and Gayle & Company, plus a special presentation by the High Desert Keepers on the challenges they face keeping the desert free of illegal dumping. Tickets: $20 at the door or $15 with advanced purchase online. Ages 16 & under: $8. Purchase tickets online at wrightwoodblues.ticketleap.com.
Jazz in the Garden
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
(A private residence in Wrightwood)
Join Wrightwood Classical Concert Series the first Sunday of Summer for Jazz in the Garden. A trio of young musicians will play jazz standards while we enjoy dessert and port. The address of the venue will be sent to you via email, as the concert is being held at a private residence in Wrightwood.
Vocals: Lia Booth, Soundbite
Bass: Dylann Asa, Soundbite
Pianist: Danny Gutierrez
Producer: Joyce Wonderly
Dessert: Chris Durbin
Florals: Brier Rose Design
Bring a friend, a chill attitude and your favorite bottle of wine or port (when everyone brings their own, we don’t have to pay extra insurance, thereby reducing ticket cost). Be prepared to relax, listen to music and enjoy post-dinner dessert and port/wine.
Tickets: $45. Only 25 tickets are available, so purchase yours today! This is a special event and is not included in season or patron tickets. For more information, visit the Jazz in the Garden webpage.
Looking Ahead
Mountaineer Days
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(Wrightwood Village, Park Drive)
After Independence Day, the Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce continues to celebrate with this two day event, showcasing the local history of the area along with modern day contributions to Wrightwood! For more information, visit the Chamber’s website.
Mountaineer Days
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(Wrightwood Village, Park Drive)
Mountaineer Days continue.
New Classes this Summer
The Keyboard Art School of Music’s summer semester begins June 17th, and features private music lessons for kids and adults of all ages in:
Accordion
Band Instruments
Guitar
Harp
Piano
Ukulele
Cello
Voice
The school is also offering a variety of classes, including Clay Camp (pottery), Jiu-Jitsu, and Rewilding Camp. For more information and to find the schedule of options, visit their summer classes page.