Art Heals 2: An Inspired Writing Workshop

With Ed Lent and Sarah Grote
A gentle, creative way to process emotions, memories, and insights through Ekphrastic Poetry and Art

Thursday, October 22, 2026, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

$90 includes lunch

Register Here

About this offering

In the serene, shoreline setting of Mercy by the Sea, learn Ekphrastic writing, the art of writing in response to visual art with multifaceted experience of artistic appreciation, writing prompts, guided observances and healing practices. The Ekphrastic approach opens a fresh way into writing: starting from  seeing → feeling → writing, rather than beginning with the blank page. It combines visual art (assorted  art pieces, art processes, art of nature observances) with creative writing; engaging participants on multiple sensory levels – visual and visceral.

The workshop is for beginners, creative artists and writers who will all find entry points. Visual artists may respond with images and then find words; writers may deepen their craft via art; beginners will be guided to learn a structured yet open-ended practice of how visual prompts affect our memories, feelings and how to write from there. The dialogue between art and writing fosters reflection, observation, metaphor and voice, helping participants move from what I see to what I feel to what this means.

This offering is meant to build community by sharing experience in viewing + writing + discussion and through awareness of nature as well as awareness of self and others.

About the presenters

The day-program will be co-facilitated by Sarah Grote, award-winning artist and gallery director of Essex Art Association and president of Connecticut Women Artists with Ed Lent, Madison, Conn’s first Poet Laureate. Ed is a published poet, Ekphrastic poetry expert and artist.