"Fall in Love with the Arts" at the Delafield Arts Center on Saturday, February 11, 2012 (11am-5pm)
Come "Fall in Love with the Arts" at the Delafield Arts Center on Saturday, February 11, 2012 (11am-5pm) for a special Open House event.
In addition to a dance performance by To the Pointe Performing Arts and a concert by Hartland School of Music, there will be a special poetry reading at 12:30pm featuring poets:
Kimberly Blanchette
Paul Scot August
Cristina Norcross
Liz Rhodebeck
Ed Werstein
Khristian Kay
For more information about events and exhibits at the Delafield Arts Center visit: http://www.delafieldartscenter.org/
w/ author Cristina M. R. Norcross
Brainstorm Poetry
Sat. March 10, 2012 / 1:00-2:30pm, ages 10-13
Word Paint: Writing about Art
Sat., April 21, 2012 / 1:00-3:00pm, ages 13-16
Multi Media Poetry
Sat. May 19, 2012 / 1:00-3:00pm, ages 16+
To register visit:
http:/www.delafieldartscenter.org
Tel: 262.303.4865
My book Unsung Love Songs is reviewed by Kathleen Serley in the July 2011 issue of Verse Wisconsin Online. Click HERE to read the full article.
My poem "Acceptance" (first published in my book Unsung Love Songs in 2010) was chosen to be published in the Verse and Vision Anthology (2011) by the Gallery Q in Stevens Point, WI.
"A Prayer for the Waters" Fine Art/Poetry Giclee
by artist Holly Kallie and Poet Cristina M. R. Norcross
to Benefit the National Wildlife Federation
Artists have impact!
With this fine art/poetry giclée, “A Prayer for the Waters,” artist Holly Kallie (www.hollykallie.com) and poet, Cristina M. R. Norcross (www.FirkinFiction.com) hope to raise awareness for the needs of the environment. Through the beauty of visual art and poetry, we propose to inspire others to answer the call to action, by purchasing these giclées. After covering basic production costs, all profits will go directly to The National Wildlife Federation.
What can we do as individuals, if we feel helpless to help? We can donate what we can afford, we can raise awareness in others, encouraging them to donate as well, and in the process we can aid research efforts. Recovering the natural environment’s delicate balance for birds, fish and other wildlife is a healing process. As artists, we hope to inspire, encourage, and raise the white banner of peace in the name of charity.
For more information about “A Prayer for the Waters” giclées and how to place an order, please contact artist Holly Kallie (hollyjkal@yahoo.com) or visit her website.
A Prayer for the Waters
(Inspired by the painting by Holly Kallie)
We are being called.
From the depths of indigo pain,
springs the glowing chakra of re-birth.
We have muddied the waters
with our disrespect –
our muddled minds.
With golden feather reverence,
create a new philosophy
by healing the now.
Leading the way of undisturbed skies,
eagles watch and wait.
Elders live in quiet hope.
Our arms hold the reflection –
a surface of untouched light.
Roots in waters reach.
We truly see ourselves and weep.
With this prayer for the waters,
raise your voice and be heard.
Lift up life with life –
spirit is healing.
Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2010
One Vision: A
Fusion of Art and Poetry in Lake Country
(Sponsored by the Pewaukee Area Arts Council)
Co-editors and Co-hosts: Cristina Norcross and Liz Rhodebeck
Poetry Reading and Art Exhibition at the Oconomowoc Arts Center
Saturday, October 16, 2010 / 7pm Poetry Reading and Art Show
6:30pm DOORS OPEN / LIVE MUSIC with Tim Angsten
(Special Note: One Vision logo designed by
visual artist Anne Raskopf. Anne was one of the artists on last year's
project. Visit her website at: www.anneraskopf.com)
IN THE PRESS
The March 2010 issue of the new, Wisconsin magazine "30 West" has a feature article by Rebecca Seymour about my latest book Unsung Love Songs.
Call for Submissions
Deadline Extended to April 23, 2010
One Vision: A Fusion of Art and Poetry in Lake Country
We are seeking to help promote the creative works of visual artists and writers in the Lake Country community by creating a project of collaborative, ekphrastic art (Ekphrasis: poetry inspired by art - the conversation between two mediums of art). We will organize visual artists and poets into 15 compatible pairs. Each creative pair will have 2-3 months to work together to create 1 visual artwork and 1 poem. The artist and poet can come up with a theme together, the artist may offer up an original work for the poet to write about, or the poet may have a poem they wish to offer for inspiration to the artist.
There is a two-part scope to the project, One Vision: A Fusion of Art and Poetry in Lake Country, which is sponsored by PAAC (The Pewaukee Area Arts Council). Last year’s first project show (2009) at The Raven Gallery in Pewaukee was a wonderful success. This year there will be a combined art show and poetry reading at the Oconomowoc Arts Center on October 16, 2010, featuring the completed ekphrastic works of each artistic team. For each year, we will produce sets of fine art/poetry note cards to be sold as a fundraiser for PAAC. There is also a proposed anthology of Lake Country artists and poets after the 3rd project year (publication date to be determined), offering the opportunity for wide exposure for all contributors.
Liz Rhodebeck and Cristina Norcross will be co-editors of the book project and judges for the poetry submissions. Dint Sweitzer will be this year’s guest art advisor for art submissions.
Call for Submissions: February 15 – April 15, 2010
Editorial Reading Period: all candidates will be notified by June 1, 2010 about final selections for the project.
For a complete list of submission guidelines, where to send sample works and to download an official application form, please go to the PAAC (Pewaukee Area Arts Council) website:
For examples of ekphrastic poetry, some helpful websites are: www.poets.org and www.puddinghouse.com
Eligibility
Those who either live or work in Lake Country are welcome to submit. Lake Country is defined by communities which feed into the following high school districts:
Arrowhead HS
Kettle Moraine HS
Pewaukee HS
Oconomowoc HS
(NOTE: This year we have expanded eligibility to include a limited number of applicants from outside the Lake Country area. However, other applicants must be residents of or work in Waukesha County.)
***
Ekphrastic Poetry 101
with Cristina M.R. Norcross
Thurs., March 11, 2010 from 7 - 9:30 PM
Workshop with group discussion, writing prompt exercises & feedback sessions.
$20 per person. Registration required @ Lakes Gallery of Fine Art at (262) 966-1804
Ekphrastic poetry is the conversation between two pieces of art. The writer interprets a work of visual art and then creates a narrative in verse form that represents his or her reaction to that painting, photograph, sculpture or other artistic creation.
Cristina resides in the U.S., dividing her time between Wisconsin & New England. She graduated with a B.A. Honors Degree in English Literature from the University of Ottawa, Canada. Cristina lived in London, England for 5 years where she worked in publishing & taught high school level English. She also taught creative writing & language skills at a youth organization & is the author of a grammar usage manual. Ms. Norcross has had over 50 short stories, poems & articles published in literary magazines in England, Wales, The United States, Canada & Algeria. Published books: Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2007), The Red Drum (2008), Unsung Love Songs (2010).
Workshop with group discussion, writing prompt exercises & feedback sessions.
Students are asked to bring 1 finished poem (from any genre) to share with others for a feedback session. Please bring 8-10 photocopies of your poem, so we can read the poem together. Please bring the tools of your trade - pens, pencils, notebooks - as we will be doing guided, in-class writing exercises. This is a hands-on poetry workshop! We will enjoy open discussions with a supportive environment for poets at all levels.
Poetic Captured Reflections Gallery Show
Paintings by Holly Kallie
Poetry by Cristina M. R. Norcross
The Griffin Gallery
Ococnomowoc, WI
Friday, November 6th, 2009
5-9pm
Poetic Captured Reflections are comprised of hand-signed, fine art, poetry giclées, created from original artwork by Hollie Kallie and original verse by Cristina M. R. Norcross. Each scene of beauty and form reveals a life beyond our earthly borders, inspiring poetic stories of the soul’s journey. Each giclée is unique, invoking the reader to live more fully in the present moment, by incorporating rich colors, evocative images and poetic narratives.
Holly Kallie (www.HollyKallie.com), a founding member of The Griffin Gallery of Fine Art in Oconomowoc, WI, is a self-taught artist who has been drawing and painting all of her life. Her favorite subjects are women and children in settings that include area lakes or the seashore. Ms. Kallie’s artistic intention is to show the similarity and connection between feminine energy and the flowing, reflective surface and depths of the water surrounding them.
Cristina M. R. Norcross (www.FirkinFiction.com) is the author of two published books - Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2007) and The Red Drum (2008), both available on Amazon.com. Ms. Norcross is the co-editor of The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets.
The Poetic Captured Reflections collection, created with artist Holly Kallie, is now available at The Raven Gallery in Pewaukee, WI as well as The Ommani Center. Please visit artist Holly Kallie's website to see examples of painting and poetry in harmony.
The Soulful Inspirations collection, created with artist Anne Wall, is currently on display at The Ommani Center. Please visit their beautiful facility to enjoy these fine art, poetry giclées.
PRESS RELEASE
An Exhibition of Art and Poetry to be Featured at the Upcoming Aprons in the Wind Show at The Lakes Gallery, North Lake, WI
Lovingly woven within intricate stitching, the history of steamy kitchens and bubbling pots evokes the scene of hearth and home that a mother creates. The symbol of an apron waving in the wind brings back memories of nurturance floating in the air. In honor of Mother's Day (May 10th) and National Wear Your Apron Day (May 11th), artist Teri Peterson, owner of the The Lakes Gallery (www.lakesfineart.com) in North Lake, Wisconsin will be hosting Aprons in the Wind (May 8th-11th), an apron event of vast fabric proportions, as a tribute to women everywhere.
The Lakes Gallery of Fine Art LLC is housed within an historic 1906 Garden Tudor home set against an idyllic, pastoral setting. The Lakes Gallery is also home to Teri Peterson’s new business, Revival Consignment (www.revivalconsign.com). The gallery features 3 rooms of artwork from over 20 artists and intermingles with consigned women's clothing and accessories, as well as artisan jewelry and handmade clothing.
Aprons in the Wind invites you to dedicate a fabric apron to your mother, grandmother, sister, or any special woman in your life. In tribute, these colorful aprons will be displayed on a clothes line that will span the outdoor property of the gallery on Mother's Day weekend and the following Monday (May 8th -11th). The Aprons in the Wind exhibit will be on display sunrise to sunset. The aprons will become a permanent part of the exhibit, displayed every Mother's Day weekend. There is no limit to the number of aprons for dedication.
For more information, as well as the mailing address where aprons can be sent for the event, please visit The Lakes Gallery website: www.lakesfineart.com. You will even find a link to a pattern for how to sew your very own apron out of 1 yard of fabric!
As an added feature, The Lakes Gallery will be presenting a special, limited engagement exhibition (May 1st – June 1st) of the collaborative, ekphrastic works of artists Holly Kallie and Anne Wall with poet Cristina M. R. Norcross. The two collections, Poetic Captured Reflections and Soulful Inspirations, are comprised of hand-signed, fine art, poetry giclées, created from original artwork by each artist and original verse by the author. Each scene of beauty and form reveals a life beyond our earthly borders, inspiring poetic stories of the soul’s journey. Each giclée is unique, invoking the reader to live more fully in the present moment, by incorporating rich colors, evocative images and poetic narratives. These giclées are available for purchase through The Lakes Gallery and make a wonderfully thoughtful Mother’s Day gift to be cherished and appreciated.
“She Slept Like a Log”
Painting by Holly Kallie, Copyright 2008
The water’s current is a lullaby.
The air brushes her hair in sleep.
The wood’s grain welcomes floating dreams ~
exquisite balance.
Excerpted from “All is in Balance”
Cristina M. R. Norcross, Copyright 2008
“Awaken the Senses”
Painting by Anne Wall, Copyright 2005
Petals of self unfurl,
like a rose uncovering the world.
Senses find space to roam
in a cavernous mind.
Excerpted from “Awaken the Senses”
Cristina M. R. Norcross, Copyright 2008
Anne Wall and Holly Kallie are both members of The Griffin Gallery in Oconomowoc, WI (www.griffingalleryfineartllc.com).
Anne Wall (Soulful Inspirations) (marketingnav@aol.com) is an artist, athlete and sports marketing consultant known internationally for her work in brand protection. She holds a BS in Fine Art from the University of Wisconsin and an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from Medill at Northwestern University. While traveling and participating in a variety of sports, Wall has captured the spirit of outdoor adventures and the beauty of nature through her enduring works of art.
Holly Kallie (Poetic Captured Reflections) (www.hollykallie.com), a founding member of The Griffin Gallery of Fine Art in Oconomowoc, WI, is a self-taught artist who has been drawing and painting all of her life. Her favorite subjects are women and children in settings that include area lakes or the seashore. Ms. Kallie’s artistic intention is to show the similarity and connection between feminine energy and the flowing, reflective surface and depths of the water surrounding them.
Cristina M. R. Norcross (www.FirkinFiction.com) is a freelance writer and poet living in Wisconsin with over 50 published works in literary magazines in the United States, England, Wales, Canada and Algeria. Ms. Norcross is the author of two published books - Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2007) and The Red Drum (2008), both available on Amazon.com. She is currently the co-editor for The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets, and her upcoming book, Living Nature’s Moments, is in collaboration with Fine Art photographer Pat Bashford.
Within the many-layered hues of an image, lives a hidden world of story and verse. Likewise, vivid memories can come to life by examining a single thread. Aprons, art and poetry align together to create a special weekend. Please join us for an exciting event and a unique exhibit celebrating the human spirit. What better way to honor Mother’s Day than to attend a show of loving tributes at the Aprons in the Wind event, exclusively at The Lakes Gallery in North Lake.
Contact details: Teri Peterson, The Lakes Gallery of Fine Art, N76 W31428 County Road, V.V. Hartland, WI 53029, Tel. (262) 966-1804, Website: www.lakesfineart.com.
Where else can you find this beautiful artwork and poetry on display?
The Poetic Captured Reflections and Soulful Inspirations collections are currently on display as part of a special engagement at The Ommani Center for Integrative Medicine (http://www.ommanicenter.com) located at 1166 Quail Court, Suite 210, Pewaukee, WI 53072, Tel. 262 695 9744.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS (Deadline Extended to March 23, 2009!)
The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets
(Wisconsin)
We are seeking to help promote the creative works of visual artists and writers in the Lake Country community by creating a project of collaborative, ekphrastic art (Ekphrasis: poetry inspired by art - the conversation between two mediums of art). We will organize visual artists and poets into compatible pairs. Each creative pair will have 2-3 months to work together to create 1 painting and 1 poem. The artist and poet can come up with a theme together, the painter may offer up an original work for the poet to write about, or the poet may have a poem they wish to offer for inspiration to the artist.
There is a two-part scope to the Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets, which will be co-facilitated in partnership with PAAC (The Pewaukee Area Arts Council). There will be art shows and poetry readings at several venues, starting fall 2009, featuring the completed ekphrastic works of each artistic team. There is also a proposed anthology of Lake Country Artists and Poets (publication date still to be determined) offering the opportunity for wide exposure for all contributors.
Liz Rhodebeck and Cristina Norcross will be co-editors of the book project and judges for the poetry submissions. Troy Tatlock will be the art advisor for judging art submissions.
Call for Submissions: January 12th – March 23, 2009
Editorial Reading Period: all candidates will be notified by May 1st, 2009 about final selections for the project.
Those who either live or work in Lake Country are welcome to submit. Lake Country is defined by communities which feed into the following high school districts:
Arrowhead HS
Kettle Moraine HS
Pewaukee HS
Oconomowoc HS
Visit the PAAC website for full details and guidelines:
http://www.pewaukeearts.org/project.htm
November 2008
I am thrilled to share the news of the November 2008 release of my new poetry book THE RED DRUM. I will have a separate webpage through the publisher. The Red Drum will be available for purchase on-line through the publisher and other major on-line retailers. Readers will be allowed to browse through the first few poems and will be able to see the front and back cover, featuring a beautiful, stained glass window from a church bell tower in Western Canada.
Here is a preview of the book's description:
THE RED DRUM is a collection of poetry celebrating the joyfulness of living in the presence of authentic moments, creating a dream-like, poetic form that captures the leaves of thought that fall from the sky. AUTHOR'S BIOGRAPHY: Cristina M.R. Norcross resides in Wisconsin with her husband and their two sons. She has had over 50 works published in literary magazines in the U.K., the U.S., Canada and Algeria. The author’s latest book is Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2006). To learn more about the writing of Cristina M. R. Norcross, please visit her website: http://www.firkinfiction.com.
Stop by again for more ordering details, press release information, as well as future dates for poetry readings!
Happy Reading!
Cristina M. R. Norcross
November 2008 - Poetry & Art - On Display at The Griffin Gallery
In collaboration with two very talented, fine art painters, Holly Kallie and Anne Wall, ten of my recent ekphrastic poems are on display at The Griffin Gallery in Oconomwoc, WI. These poems appear alongside beautiful oils and pastels in the form of fine art giclées. Each fine art, poetry giclée inspires and engages the reader to live more fully in the present moment, by incorporating rich colors, evocative images and poetic narratives. For a preview of my poem, "All is in Balance" inspired by the artwork of Holly Kallie in giclée form, click on the link to the title of the poem above.
To view and/or purchase these rare poetry/art giclées please visit:
The Griffin Gallery of Fine Art
133 E Wisconsin Ave
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
(262) 567-1826
APRIL 7, 2008: POETRY & PHOTOGRAPHY
Some of my recent poems, inspired by the Fine Art Photography of Patricia Bashford (See Travels with Pat Website for more info), can be seen on display at an upcoming photography exhibit for Patricia Bashford and Robert Pyle in Newburyport, MA:
GEMS AND PASSIONS
Photography of Patricia Bashford and Robert Pyle
Laura Coombs Hills Gallery
Newburyport Art Association
April 17 to 30, 2008Reception: Friday, April 18, 2008, 7 to 9 pm
Gallery Talk: Sunday, April 20, 2 to 4pm
65 Water Street, Newburyport, MA
tel: 978•465•8769
www.newburyportart.org
For a sneak peek at these poems, please visit my Firkin Works page on this website:
"Enchanted Light"
"Dunes at Sunset"
"A Crow's Path"
November 7, 2007: Upcoming multi-author event!
Come join me at the Whipple Free Library in New Boston, NH to support local libraries and meet 10 NH writers. Learn about their work and get copies of signed books!
September 28, 2007: Land & Sea on the Radio!
WITR (Writers in the Round)- Radio Program - WSCA 106.1 FM Portsmouth, NH radio station
Listen to the show! on: October 3rd, 2007, Wed., 7-8pm
I will be reading a sampling of my poems from the book Land & Sea, co-authored with the artist Irene Ruddock, live on the air. The program can be heard live that night at the radio's website. Please visit the site at 7pm on Oct. 3rd!September 20, 2007: THE 2ND EDITION OF LAND & SEA IS NOW AVAILABLE! Please visit any of the retail outlets listed on the publications page, or you can write to me directly, and I will ship you a copy. I will be re-stocking NH bookstores this week-end (9/22-23/07)
September 13, 2007: Beauty/Truth: a journal of ekphrastic poetry
My poem "My Dress Hangs There" based on a painting by Frida Kahlo will be published in the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of Beauty Truth Magazine.
August 2, 2007: Edge Life Magazine
My latest poem "A Welcoming Home" (dedicated to the memory of John Webb) will be published in an upcoming issue of Edge Life Magazine.
August 1, 2007: Land & Sea to be Reviewed by Local NH Newspapers!
Land & Sea will be reviewed by journalist and fiction writer Rebecca Rule in the Sunday August 12, 2007 issues of The Portsmouth Herald, The Concord Monitor and The Nashua Telegraph in her column "Bookmarks". The review can be found in both print form and on-line.
Read the Land & Sea Book Review
June 11, 2007: The Arabesques Review
My poem "Navajo Weaver" was just published in The Arabesques Review, an international journal for poetry and prose. It appears in both the on-line and print form of the Contemporary Women Writers issue.
May 28,2007: Land & Sea - 2nd edition
The 2nd edition of Land & Sea will be an expanded version, including several more paintings and poems. In order to accomodate more orders and upcoming book signing events, this new edition will be available by late September!
The last copies of the 1st Edition are still available at the list of stores carrying Land & Sea which can be found on the Publications page of this website. Get your copy before these valuable First Editions are gone! All of the NH outlets have signed copies for your "signed-by-author" collection.