Writer’s Workshop | The Alive Poets Society: Poetry and Ancient Art

In partnership with poet Ariana Kija Matondo, the MFA is hosting a three-part poetry workshop series focused on ekphrastic poetry—the art of writing descriptive and imaginative poetry inspired by visual art. In the second workshop of the series, participants will explore ancient art and ancient poetry while engaging in intimate conversations about how these works differ from the art and poetry we encounter today. Through guided reflection and discussion, the workshop invites participants to consider how understanding the past can deepen our sense of self. Expect journaling prompts rooted in ancestral memory—both real and imagined—and opportunities to stretch the imagination beyond what art is “supposed” to look like and into what it could become in the near or distant future, informed by our shared histories. No prior poetry experience is required, and all ages are welcome. Just bring a journal and an open mind to experience visual art in a new way. Writer’s Workshop | The Alive Poets Society: Poetry and Ancient Art Open to all ages Thursday, March 26, 2026 5:30 PM–7:30 PM Mary Alice McClendon Conservatory Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg FL 33701 Free for MFA Members; $16 for Not-Yet-Members (Youth 17 and under are Free!) REGISTER The workshop is included with Art After Dark admission, so participants can enjoy the program and explore the museum after hours for the same ticket price. MFA ART AFTER DARK ADMISSION Not yet a member? Become a member today and enjoy all the benefits membership at the MFA offers!  MFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year, early access to special exhibitions, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine, special member-only exclusive events, and more. Bring the whole family! BECOME A MEMBER ABOUT ARIANA KIJA MATONDO Ariana Matondo (they/she) is a queer, disabled Tanzanian-American poet, editor, and teacher based in Tampa, Florida. They are the winner of the Zora Neale Hurston Award for Poetry (2025) and were previously named a finalist for the Disquiet Prize for Poetry (2025). Their honors also include the Sundress Publications Fellowship (2025), Vermont Studio Center Fellowship (2024), Light for Public Health Poetry Prize (2024), and the Bettye Newman Poetry Prize (2024–2025). Ariana’s work has been published and is forthcoming in Light Magazine, Honey Literary Magazine, The Common, and others. They serve as Poetry Editor for Creation Magazine and CM Editorial House and are currently pursuing an MFA in Poetry at the University of South Florida. Learn more at arianakijamatondo.com. EXPLORE ALL UPCOMING WRITER’S WORKSHOP SERIES EVENTS Writer’s Workshop | Dream Residue: Ekphrasis in the Real World Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM Writer’s Workshop | The Alive Poets Society: Poetry and Ancient Art Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM Writer’s Workshop | The Garden of Your Mind Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM