Sea Cliff Poets host shape poems exhibit at Sea Cliff Arts Council

It’s been wonderful to see the poems come alive on the walls.”

Barbara Segal, poet

The Sea Cliff Arts Council is currently hosting a unique exhibition, “The Shape I Am In,” featuring shape poems created by members of the Sea Cliff Poets group. The exhibit, which runs through September, brings together a striking blend of visual art and poetry, offering visitors a fresh way to engage with both mediums.

Mark Sobel, a village trustee and the Arts Council’s producer at large, explained how the idea for the exhibition came to life.

“We’ve had a poetry group for a while, but we had never really showcased poetry in a visual format like this,” he said. “One of the poets suggested shape poems, and after seeing how creative the results were, we decided to display them in the gallery.”

Sobel credited Noelle Fiallo-Evans, the council’s chief creative officer who curated the exhibition, for making it possible.

“Noelle worked her magic, transforming the poems into decals that could be placed directly on the walls,” he added.

Shape poems, where the written text takes the shape of the poem’s subject, present a dynamic visual experience for viewers. For instance, Barbara Segal’s poem, which tackles the serious topic of gun violence, is arranged in the shape of a gun, delivering a powerful statement.

Segal, who has been part of the poetry group for two years, praised the collaborative spirit that brought the show together.

“It’s been wonderful to see the poems come alive on the walls,” she said.

Victoria Bjorklund, who currently leads the Sea Cliff Poets group, played a pivotal role in facilitating the project. She explained that the idea for shape poems emerged from a prompt given to the group.

“We try to encourage creativity in every form,” she said. “The results have been fantastic, with each poet finding their own way to interpret the prompt.”

Bjorklund contributed three poems to the exhibit, each with its own distinct style. One of her pieces, a Helios poem about healing, is arranged like the sun, with rays of poetry extending outward. Another of her poems, depicting a Viking ship, reflects her fascination with ancient runes and medieval history.

“It was a cathartic experience, especially after recovering from a knee injury,” she shared.

The exhibit showcases an array of poems on different subjects, from reflections on nature to personal memories. Some poets, according to Bjorklund and Segal, experimented with the physical layout of the text, creating pieces that mimic the forms of waves and paintbrushes.

The exhibition is on display at the Sea Cliff Arts Council, with a special viewing and poetry circle scheduled for Sept. 18 at 4:30 p.m., open to the public. For more information on the council and their upcoming events and exhibitions, visit SeaCliffArtsCouncil.org.