September 5, 2015 is the last day to submit poetry to be considered for the special Art of Poetry event on September 19 at Hickory Museum of Art. Art of Poetry will be one component of the inaugural Face to Face in the Foothills Poetry Gathering, September 18 and 19, at Hickory Museum of Art. For details read the letter from Art of Poetry’s Kelly DeMaegd below.

The Journey, photograph by Brian Aberle

Betty O’Hearn
SET FREE
after “The Journey” by Brian Aberle

Walking along the beach on a hot summer day,
a salted mist dampens lips. Beaches have a voice,
sun travels sea waves, then sets.
Follow the beach and find peace.

Follow the beach to find love.
Much will be broadcast as you lead the way.
Answers you yearn for may be discovered.
Look for what will be revealed.

Sparkling sand grains painted snowy, ashen,
crunching underfoot, between toes
have comforted many.
Stop a moment and hear a concert

as you return to this time,
singing comes from above,
then glides into shimmering water.
Feel renewal of your inner being.

Forget questioning this place,
its cryptic power,
it holds a magical transference
since time began.

Deposit the worries of life,
they will be washed out to sea.
Peace will be given,
you will be set free.

Betty O’Hearn reads her poem at Art of Poetry on June 20, 2015. Photo courtesy of Roger and Ginny Sanford.

A letter from Kelly DeMaegd

Greetings,

Following are the details for the next Art of Poetry at the Hickory Museum of Art:

The submission deadline is September 5 and the reading will be Saturday, September 19 at 2:00.

To submit, simply go to the museum and write poems about the works on exhibit. Please note the dates of eligible exhibits below. Submissions should:
-include name of the artist and the title of the inspiring work
-be typed in the body of an email (do not send attachments)
-be typed using 12-point Arial font, single spaced
-be sent to Kelly DeMaegd at geneandkelly@charter.net
-Art of Poetry reserves the right to decline work that may not be appropriate in content, or of literary quality as determined by its panel of judges.

Approximately 20 poems will be selected to be displayed at the museum and to be read by the author (or selected substitute reader) at the reading. The reading is free and open to the public. Audiences have ranged from 15 to 45 people. After the reading, with permission of the poet and artist, poems will be posted on the Art of Poetry website at http://www.artofpoetry.net

Eligible exhibits are as follows:

-Unexpected Beauty: Views from the Lens of Steve McCurry, Coe, Entrance and Windows Galleries, September 12, 2015 – May 8, 2016
Very Important***** Since this exhibit will be hung after the submission date of 9/5, you can view the photos by asking for a book of his photographs at the second floor reception desk after August 5. The book cannot be taken from the museum. Don’t miss this opportunity to write poems based on the photographs of this renowned photographer.

-HMA Studio Art Printmaking Class, First Floor Regal and Gifford Gallery, through September 20, 2015
-Thoughts Made Visible: Paul Whitener’s Process, First Floor Whitener Gallery, through October 25, 2015
-Discover Folk Art, Third Floor Gallery, Ongoing
-American Art Pottery and Born of Fire, Second Floor Objects Gallery, Ongoing

If you have any questions, please email me.

Looking forward to seeing you!
Kelly DeMaegd