LIGHTNING STRIKES II: 22 POETS. 22 ARTISTS.

 

CLICK HERE to listen to the poets recite their works at the Lightning Strikes II opening reception and HERE to see photos from the event. 

Dolby Chadwick Gallery is pleased to announce Lightning Strikes II. The second edition of this exhibition brings into dialogue poetry and painting, celebrating their rich history of mutual inspiration while mining the inner workings of inspiration itself. “The roots of poetry and painting have always been interwoven. Both draw their nourishment from the same soil. This exhibition provides the space for them to grow as one.”

Lightning Strikes II features 22 pairings of poets and visual artists. The 44 contributors are distinguished by their exceptional talent and often world-renowned reputations. This diverse group includes visual artists, writers, actors, curators, musicians, editors, a Buddhist priest, and the Chief Attorney of the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. They have received impressive recognitions for their creative efforts, including a Pulitzer Prize, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Golden Globe, Grammy awards, Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards, Guggenheim Fellowships, a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, roles as U.S., New York State, and San Francisco Poet Laureates, membership to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Pushcart Prizes, National Book Awards, a Pew Fellowship, and a National Humanities Medal, given by Barack Obama.

Poet and Artist pairings:

Naomi Shihab Nye and John DiPaolo

Devorah Major and Mayme Kratz

Billy Collins and Gary Ruddell

Peter Coyote and Kai Samuels-Davis

Jane Hirshfield and Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann

Charlie Pendergast and Alex Kanevsky

Brenda Hillman and Vanessa Marsh

Tess Taylor and Ann Gale

Ada Limón and David Kelso

Tamsin Smith and Danae Mattes

Renny Pritikin and Maria Porges

Kathleen Brennan and Lisa Russell

Erik Campbell and Éric Antoine

David Whyte and Louise LeBourgeois

Dean Rader and Robert Kingston

Robert Hass and Edwige Fouvry

Louise Glück and Lisa McCutcheon

Matt Gonzalez and Ian Kimmerly

Tom Waits and Lou Ros

Sara Mumolo and Travis Collinson

Matthew Zapruder and Elizabeth Fox

Jack Hirschman and Matt Gonzalez

We greatly appreciate your contribution. 100% of the proceeds from the Lightning Strikes II ticket sales went to the MFA in Creative Writing scholarship program at Saint Mary’s College, founded by poets Brenda Hillman and Robert Hass.

Lightning Strikes II: 22 poets. 22 artists. is accompanied by a limited-edition, fully illustrated, 68-page hardcover catalogue of the same name. Each ticket-holder will receive a copy.

CLICK HERE to Purchase Exhibition Catalogue

Dolby Chadwick Gallery has been an ardent supporter of young and emerging creative talent since its founding more than twenty-three years ago. Its promotion of the literary arts has been a meaningful complement to its advancement of the visual arts. Lightning Strikes II continues in the spirit of this tradition, championing burgeoning creative talent and fostering community relations through its support of the Creative Writing scholarship fund at Saint Mary’s College. 

To learn more about the Saint Mary's College MFA in Creative Writing scholarship fund, please CLICK HERE.

To donate to the Saint Mary's College MFA in Creative Writing scholarship fund directly, please CLICK HERE.