Ekphrastic Poetry With Peter Dugan

A poetry workshop focusing on Ekphrastic Poetry, or poetry inspired by visual art, with Long Island Poet of the Year 2026 Peter Dugan.
About this Event

"Ekphrastic poetry is a form of poetry inspired by and responding to visual art, translating the artwork’s imagery, emotion, and meaning into words.

Ekphrastic poetry, derived from the Ancient Greek word meaning “to speak out,” is a literary device in which a poet vividly describes or reflects on a work of art, such as a painting, sculpture, or architecture, often expanding its meaning through imaginative interpretation. Originally, ekphrasis was a rhetorical exercise in Ancient Greece, where students practiced writing detailed descriptions of visual art. Over time, it evolved into a poetic form that engages with the emotional and conceptual impact of art.

Ekphrastic poetry serves multiple purposes: it hones the poet’s imagery, interprets and amplifies the artwork’s meaning, and creates a dialogue between visual and verbal art. Poets may describe the artwork literally, explore its emotional resonance, or imagine narratives surrounding it. The poem often constructs a “second world” in the reader’s mind, where personal associations and analogical thinking enrich the experience. Modern ekphrastic poetry can also respond to film, dreams, or other creative expressions beyond traditional visual art."

Peter Dugan, the Long Island Poet of the Year 2026, also served as the Nassau County Poet Laureate 2017-2019 and has authored five books of poetry, including Vistas: Poems from a Cul-de-Sac off of Mainstreet.