Poetry Writing Workshop

The Mural as Muse: From Free Verse to Haiku

Key Benefits

• Immerse yourself in artistic inspiration. Create poetry in an innovative space, drawing inspiration from the world's largest collaborative mural, a five-story celebration of work, creativity, and human connection.

• Explore two distinct writing forms. Progress from expressive free verse to the refined precision of haiku in one dynamic workshop.

• Connect with a vibrant, creative community. Share your work and receive feedback in a supportive, encouraging environment.

• Receive expert guidance. Learn directly from Madison CT's Poet Laureate Ed Lent, an experienced educator and award-winning poet.

• Showcase your talent. Have your poetry featured in AMP's special National Poetry Month exhibit.

• Enjoy full access to a unique artistic venue. Your registration includes all-day admission and an optional guided tour of the mural exhibit.

• Participate regardless of experience level. Whether you're a published poet or a complete beginner, this workshop welcomes all writers.

Who Should Attend?

• Writers of all levels—no prior poetry experience required!

• Anyone looking to explore the connection between art and poetry

• Creatives and educators seeking new techniques to inspire their work

• Individuals drawn to unique, immersive artistic experiences

• Ages 16+

Workshop Structure: Two Distinct Parts, One Inspiring Experience

Participants must take part in both sessions—the second part builds on the first, deepening your writing process.

Part 1: Free Verse Writing – Responding to the Mural

What Happens?

• Participants will immerse themselves in the mural’s vast imagery and themes, exploring different sections up close.

• Using guided prompts, they will write a free-form poetic response, capturing emotions, ideas, and personal reflections sparked by the artwork.

• Writers will focus on specific details within the mural rather than trying to capture the entire piece at once.

Benefits of Part 1

• Encourages spontaneous, authentic writing in response to visual storytelling.

• Helps writers find their voice by allowing unrestricted creative expression.

• Develops observational skills, training the eye to notice meaningful details.

• Sets the foundation for the next step—refining expression through haiku.

Part 2: Haiku – The Art of Saying More with Less

What Happens?

• After writing in free verse, participants will shift to the structured and minimalist beauty of haiku, the traditional Japanese poetic form.

• Ed Lent will introduce the principles of haiku—its rhythm, economy of language, and deep emotional resonance.

• Writers will extract key images and emotions from their free verse and distill them into haiku, learning to convey powerful ideas in just a few words.

• The session will end with a discussion and optional poem sharing, offering participants the chance to reflect on the process.

Benefits of Part 2

• Teaches precision in language, refining free-flowing thoughts into a structured form.

• Strengthens editing skills, helping writers cut excess words while maintaining impact.

• Deepens creative discipline—haiku requires thoughtful word choice and subtlety.

• Encourages introspection, capturing fleeting moments and emotions in compact, vivid imagery.

Why Both Parts Matter

This is a progressive workshop. In Part 1: Free Verse Writing, you will explore the mural exhibit from three levels and let your raw expression flow. In Part 2: Haiku, you will engage in a creative refinement process that enhances your output.

By experiencing both, you will have a full-spectrum writing experience, unleashing your creativity freely and then shaping it into something intentional and powerful.

Showcase Your Poetry in The Mural as Muse Exhibit

Workshop participants will have the exclusive opportunity to submit their poems for the special AMP poetry exhibit celebrating National Poetry Month. Selected works will be professionally displayed in the gallery alongside the inspiring mural that sparked their creation.

Limited spots—last year’s workshop sold out, so register early to secure your place.

THE MURAL AS MUSE

Workshop Overview
About Ed Lent
Poetry Exhibit
FAQ