What is poetry’s relationship with the visual world? In this workshop, we explore the intersections of language, image, and identity in creating a visual translation of a poem recited by special guest poet Donté Clark. Clark's spoken-word performance will be our framework for embarking on a visual translation of his poetry. Each participant will create a collage guided by a stanza of the poem; these collages will be assembled into a larger mosaic, weaving together the visual narratives that emerge. The workshop will conclude with a brief reflection and discussion.

Donté Clark is a poet, emcee, playwright, director, educator, and activist from Richmond, California. As Richmond Poet Laureate from 2014 to 2016, he served as a fierce advocate for the residents of his city, representing Richmond on a national platform. As a founding member and producer of the RAW Talent Productions Music and Performing Arts Program, Clark teaches poetry and theater workshops to low-income youths in his community, coaching his students to find their voices through performance and publication. His primary focus is ending the violence that has plagued his community and impacted him deeply—he uses his art and curriculum as a call to action.

Amy Bergstein is an arts-in-education advocate, working as a Teaching Artist in the Bay Area. She teaches filmmaking at a cinema workshop for teens, facilitates collage workshops for adults and elders, and develops intergenerational art workshops bridging communities of elders and youth through storytelling.