Broadsides No.2: Pairing Artworks with Poetry – Poetry Reading & Artist Talk

Following the success of its 2023 debut, Broadsides No. 2 returns this fall to MK Contemporary Art Gallery with a compelling exploration of the dynamic relationship between poetry and visual art. The exhibition pairs nine nationally recognized poets with nine distinguished visual artists, presenting collaborative works that reveal the unexpected resonances between image and language.

The participating artists are celebrated for their ability to capture imagery with clarity and nuance, each recognized nationally for their contributions to contemporary art. The poets featured in Broadsides No. 2 are equally accomplished literary voices, with deep connections to the Santa Cruz community and beyond. Many are associated with the Morton Marcus Poetry Reading, an annual event honoring the legacy of one of Santa Cruz’s most beloved poets. This year’s reading takes place on Thursday, November 20 at UC Santa Cruz and features writer and poet Ellen Bass.

The exhibition is curated by Donna Mekis (poetry) and Rose Sellery (visual art), with broadside design by Gary Young, Director of the Cowell Press at UC Santa Cruz. Broadsides No. 2 is presented with support from The Humanities Institute and Special Collections & Archives at UC Santa Cruz.