A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about a creative writing workshop that I'd been asked to lead for the University of Kent Postgraduate Arts Festival entitled Chaos & Order:
Writing from Art: A Creative Workshop.
The event is now a fait accompli!
Eight people gathered on Friday afternoon for an intimate session at the Citè Falguière in the 15th arrondissement. Upon arriving at this dead-end street, I was able to take a photo of the building at Number 5, where Beauford's friend, Charley Boggs, once lived.
© Entrée to Black Paris
When I approached 11, Cité Falguière - the only remaining artist atelier on the street - I saw that it looks pretty much the same as it did when I photographed it ten years ago.
© Discover Paris!
The front room of the ground floor of the building is serving as the exhibition space for the L'AiR Arts Association Chaos & Order show of works by four artists. A table in the center of the room creates a gathering spot for visitors.
© Entrée to Black Paris
The workshop took place in the basement of the building. Pallas-Amenah Morgan, Writing and Literature Liason for this year's festival, opened the session.
© Entrée to Black Paris
I briefly introduced Beauford, then played the four-minute video trailer of So Splendid a Journey - the full-length documentary about him that is currently in production.
© Entrée to Black Paris
I presented the history of Les Amis de Beauford Delaney, the achievements we've made in collaboration with the Wells International Foundation and Entrée to Black Paris to preserve and promote Beauford's legacy, and a brief overview of the evolution of his art throughout his career.
I then showed images of three paintings that inspired two Wells International Foundation interns to write verse and prose poetry, and ended by showing four images that I hoped would inspire attendees to write creative pieces during the time allotted for the workshop.
© Entrée to Black Paris
Attendees had so many questions about the presentation that only ten minutes remained to complete the creative writing exercise!
© Entrée to Black Paris
© Entrée to Black Paris
In the time remaining for the final segment of the workshop, six of the eight participants shared their reflections on Beauford's artwork and the prose or poetry they wrote as a result. All were impressive and a couple were particularly moving.
Morgan then closed the session and everyone moved upstairs to discuss what had just transpired. Morgan and I were photographed together.
© Entrée to Black Paris
When I left, just about everyone was still in the exhibition room engrossed in conversation. Morgan wrote me later to thank me for "a truly inspiring afternoon," and said that all the participants were genuinely touched by the experience.
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