Ekphraestival is a collaboration between visual artists and poets to celebrate the dynamic relationship between word and image.

Co-founded by Ruth Meijer and Elizabeth Costello, the event pairs visual artists with poets from Portland and the West Coast. Honoring National Poetry Month, ekphraestival takes place in April with the primary location at Soliloquy fine arts in Portland, OR. Exhibition based so far, the first year featured visual artwork paired with poetry, the second year invited artists to translate poems into a visual statement, and the third (and most recent) year embodied ekphrasis with poets composing new pieces in response to artwork

In an effort to reach a broad audience, Soliloquy partners with other galleries to stage ekphraestival events. Portland galleries involved so far have been Blackfish Gallery, The Writers’ Block, and The Lobby. Awarded a grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Countil (RACC), Soliloquy expanded the 2025 program to include video installations and an enhanced schedule of readings.

The next ekphraestival is in development and will shift to a different format to allow for collaborations beyond Portland and the West Coast.

2024 exhibition catalog, tangible cadence

2025 exhibition catalog, intertwined

Todd Molinari, I ruined the sun I drank in the sea I burned the forest, tangible cadence, 2024

intertwined, 2025 group exhibition

Ebony Frison, 3608, tangible cadence, 2024

intertwined poet/artist tea, with artist Myra Clark and poet Joy Manesiotis discussing their pairing for the intertwined exhibition and the creative process they shared. Elizabeth Costello, moderator.