Creative Writing workshop inspired by current SAC exhibition ‘Pareidolia’ by Rachael Johnson

A creative writing workshop complementing the current exhibition Pareidolia by Rachael Johnson will take place on 23 May 2026 between 2 and 4 pm, facilitated by Frank Rafferty.

The aim of the workshop is to explore responses to visual art in the current exhibition through creative writing and poetry.   This is known as Ekphrastic writing or poetry.

After discussing a few  examples  from  W.H. Auden, Carol Anne Duffy et al, participants will be encouraged to spend time exploring the work in the gallery and note personal responses and emotions invoked by the paintings. After a short break, participants will come together again and following further discussion, begin to develop their responses into a piece of writing or poetry.  Guidance and additional techniques will be provided by the faciliator.

The artist Rachael Johnson will present an Artist's Talk from 12pm -1pm in Strule Arts Centre and will be around after the workshop for discussion too.