There is a second part to the project. Could you talk a little about that?
The first part of the project focuses on making poetry film. In the second, I am going to reflect on what I have learnt from this process regarding the relationships between image and text. I expect that making poetry films will enhance my understanding about the creativity process: where ideas come from and how they are realised, and all the layers which go to make up a poetry film. I will draw on these reflections and understandings to design two courses, which will incorporate poetry, art, still and moving images and visual poetry. Many of the writing courses which I have designed and facilitated over the years have explored aspects of the relationships between writing and art, and this project gives me an opportunity to synthesise these explorations.
The courses will take place next year.The first one is for writers where we will look at visual poetry, poetry film and art as inspiration for creative writing. The second course will be for facilitators. We will look at applying the learning from the first course to writing facilitation practice. I would expect facilitators to have taken part in the first course before they do the second.
It’s likely that the courses will take place online, with perhaps a couple of face-to-face sessions. Anyone who is interested in taking part in either, or both, of these courses should contact me. The best way to do this is to email me at shelleyztracey@gmail.com
So creating two courses which artists and facilitators can attend next year. Is there anything else you will be doing?
Yes, I am also going to experiment with different aspects of visual poetry, poetry film and art in face-to-face workshops. I will be doing this with a Carers’ Writing Group who I have worked with for the last 4 years. We will be exploring ways of fusing art and poetry.
I will probably do something similar with a group of Autistic writers who I have been working with over the last year and a half. Many of the writers in this group are talented artists, as well as writers, so it will be exciting to explore the relationships between art and poetry with them.
That seems quite extensive?
Well, there is another dimension to this. One of the things I have been developing since my PHD research is taking writers and creatives to an art exhibition, and providing them with a template with questions that they might ask themselves so after that experience they could put a piece of writing together.
I’ve developed that ethos through teaching some creative writing classes at the Island Arts Centre for several years. I used to use the current exhibition which was on at the Island Arts Centre as my starting point for an art and writing session. Next year I will be doing two writing workshops at the centre based on different exhibitions which they are hosting. You will find details of these in the Island Arts Centre’s programme.
Earlier this year, I facilitated an online course for the Irish Writers’ Centre, “Creating Portraits in Poetry and Prose.” We focused on the theme of portraiture, and explored different aspects of it as prompts for writing. The discussions and the writing were wonderful.
This project is a great opportunity for me to bring together my interests in art, photography, and poetry, my learning from my work as a writer, poet, facilitator, and also my passion for creativity. What I really enjoy is making spaces for people to explore and develop their creativity, and this project will enable me to do so.
To see more of the work of Shelley Tracey see – shelleytracey.co.uk
