lagunabeachindy . com SEPTEMBER 29 , 2023 3
Third Street Writers Interpret Laguna Art Through Words
By LB Indy Staff
An after-hours event at the Laguna Art Museum brought a new perspective to the popular Joseph Kleitsch exhibit when local writers gathered to interpret the art through words on Sept . 23 .
Third Street Writers and the museum hosted the inaugural “ Paint a Picture with Words ” event . The fun-filled evening included a tutorial about writing in response to art as well as an opportunity to actively write about the show and then read aloud their pieces .
“ It was a great idea to bring together writers and the visual art ,” participant Jill Hecht said . “ It was more than a tour of a museum collection . The writing exercise and background information from the docent brought a new dimension to the art .”
The after-hours event began with a wine reception , followed by the docentled tours of the exhibit and then the writing element of the evening began . Artist and writer Jennifer Griffiths offered an analysis of selected Kleitsch paintings , and writer Rina Palumbo explained how writing in response to art , known as ekphrastic writing , has many different approaches .
“ It seems Third Street has recently been so involved with writing about art ,” said president Amy Dechary . “ It was wonderful to be able to share this writing technique with our greater
Laguna Art Museum docent Jennifer Yelland guides attendees through a comparison of historic Laguna Beach photos and scenes depicted in Kleitsch ’ s works . Photo courtesy of Third Street Writers
community .” The nonprofit group recently produced the second annual “ Art Inscribed ” a book of short stories , essays and poems written by members and inspired by the art exhibited at the 2023 Festival of Arts .
“ Laguna is such an art-centric community . It ’ s a natural fit to write about art ,” Dechary went on to say . “ So , when we were approached by the museum ’ s education coordinator Robin Rundle about this collaboration , it was the perfect extension of
what we ’ ve been doing .”
About 20 people attended the event , and their writings were as diverse as Kleitsch ’ s painting style . Some spoke about the ocean , while others fictionalized the characters in his work . Personal reflections and world relations were also offered up as part of the evening ’ s diverse , funny and awe-inspiring writings .
“ The writing exercise brought depth to experiencing the paintings ,” said Hecht . “ I had a chance to reflect on the paintings differently than if I were just looking at pictures of old Laguna .”
Dechary added that while the art element has influenced Third Street writers it does not solely define the group ’ s activities . In fact , members are actively preparing for their next public reading , entitled Secrets and Sins , which will happen , appropriately enough in October – on Friday the 13th . The group also holds weekly workshops with writing prompts and critique opportunities .
More about Third Street Writers can be found at Thirdstreetwriters . org .
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