Two Events Coming in April That Are Free and Open to the Public

The Litchfield Arts Council is teaming up with the Litchfield Historical Society (LHS) and the Litchfield Community Center to host two events celebrating National Poetry Month in April.

Attendees of all ages are invited to LHS for a Sunday, April 26, ekphrastic poetry workshop that will be led by Sandy Carlson, Woodbury’s poet laureate emerita and managing partner of Orenaug Mountain Publishing (OMP). It takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the LHS, located at 7 South St. in Litchfield center.

Participants will learn about ekphrasis – poetry about art – and then be welcome to write about the art and historical objects in the LHS museum.  The Litchfield Arts Council and OMP will publish a chapbook of participants’ poems.

This event is free and open to the public. Please contact Arts Council member ThomasinaLevy@gmail.com by email to reserve your space.

There will be an opportunity for workshop participants and other poets to read their work at a poetry showcase on Thursday, April 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Litchfield Community Center at 421 Bantam Road, Litchfield.  

The event will feature four Connecticut poets: Michael Chief Peterson, poet laureate of New Britain; Nadia Sims, poet laureate of Manchester; artist and poet Steven Parlato of Middlebury; and poet and photographer Jo-Ann Iannotti of Litchfield. 

Margaret Hunt of Litchfield will emcee the event. Music will be presented by Lakeview High School student James Quigley from 6-6:45 p.m.

An open mic for any attendee wishing to read a poem will follow the readings of the featured poets.

The event is free and open to the public of all ages. To register to attend please contact the Litchfield Community Center at info@thecommunitycenter.org.