Bermuda’s school children will have a chance to delve further into the world of poetry and visual arts next week, thanks to a series of poetry writing workshops being presented by the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG) from Monday through Friday.

“We have invited teachers to bring their classes into the BNG to give their students another venue and avenue for learning about the visual and language arts,” director Laura Gorham said.

Bermuda poets will cover a wide range of cultures with students from Purvis Primary, Warwick Academy, East End Primary, Heron Bay, Learning Express Academy, Somerset Primary, the Bermuda High School for Girls and Somersfield Academy. They include African, Bermudian, Japanese and European poetry and art, with inspiration for the students’ poems coming from the diverse body of artwork currently on view at the Gallery.

“The idea is to support the schools’ curriculum and create an opportunity for Bermuda’s school children to have an interesting and rewarding experience of the visual arts and poetry, thus raising their awareness of both artistic areas,” Mrs. Gorham said. “It will also give students a rare opportunity to work with real poets.”

The stated objectives of the workshops are: to focus on the creativity of Bermuda’s youngsters; encourage critical and analytical thinking and interpretation; highlight and encourage the appreciation of language arts and visual arts; broaden the students’ exposure to poetry and the visual arts; and provide them with an opportunity to interact and talk with Bermuda poets.

Participating poets are: Alan Smith, Tona Symonds, Dr. Kim Robinson (pictured), Lisa Howie, Jennifer Hind, Candy B. Ray and Grace Welch.

Further information is available from the Bermuda National Gallery at 295-9428.