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Arts & Entertainment

Poetic Artists Feted at Workhouse

Exhibition runs through October 10

Poets, artists, students and other members of the artistic community gathered Sunday for the opening reception of the Poetic Art Exhibition at the Building W-16 of the Workhouse Arts Center. The Exhibition showcases collaborative efforts between artists and poets, and how one work can inspire another. The Exhibition features paired works from both professional and amateur artists and poets who together created the "Poetic Art" displayed on the 2nd floor of the Gallery Building.

The collaboration of poetry and art is unique, explained the Curator of the Exhibition, Marti Kirkpatrick, where "the artist [is called] to look at the poem and think how can I interpret that? Or for the poet to look at something as tangible as art and say how can I put that into words?"

2010 marks the second year that the Exhibition was held. The Executive Director of the Workhouse Arts Center, Sharon Mason "has really adopted the idea of Poetic Art," according to Kirkpatrick.

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Last year submissions were judged by Kirkpatrick and her husband. "This year was a little different as the Exhibition entries were judged by outside experts," said Kirkpatrick. Experts included respected poets, artists, writers and educators from the surrounding area.

"It was a great pleasure reading the work that came before me... I was delighted at every turn of the page this year, not only that, delighted to see the conversation between the visual [art] and the [poetic] words," said poet Eric Pankey, one of the judges.

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In a ceremony, Kirkpatrick announced the Exhibition's awards: The best poem was written by Jan Harrington. Best art piece was by Sharon Kennedy. Best Collaboration of "Poetic Art" was Laura Bentley (poet) and Kennedy (artist).

Juniors in area high schools could submit up to three original poems to be considered for the "Sgt. Scott Lange Kirkpatrick $1000 Scholarship", sponsored by EnviroSolutions, Inc. The Scholarship is offered in remembrance of Kirkpatrick's son, Sgt. Scott Lange Kirkpatrick.

"From the time he could pick up a paper and pencil he started writing, and was quite prolific at Slam Poetry," said Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick explained that Slam Poetry is "spoken word or street poetry. Those people who do it have to write the poem then perform it. It is often very raw and in your face, and that is what he really loved," said Kirkpatrick.

In 2000, Scott Kirkpatrick was the DC Slam Champion Poet. Scott Kirkpatrick continued to write, travel and perform slam poetry until 2001, when after the tragic events of September 11th, he was compelled to join the US Army. He was killed in his second tour of duty in Iraq in 2007. "He died with his pencil and pad in his pocket", according to his mother.

The winner of the scholarship that bears his name was WT Woodson student Andrew Green, author of a poem titled "Where I'm From."Β  Green's poem was selected from more than 60 submissions from 23 area students. Green's poem, along with four others that were given Honorable Mention, is displayed at the rear of the exhibition.

The exhibition will run until October 10th, 2010. Winning entries are marked with a gold seal. For more information contact the Workhouse Art Center at 703-584-2900. The Exhibition is open and free to the public.

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