Luminations: Writing the Windows Project

On November 1st, we proudly presented Luminations: Writing the Windows Project, an afternoon of original ekphrastic poetry from ten award-winning poets who wrote among—and about—Union Church's historic Chagall and Matisse windows.

Contemporary poets should always meet the moment in which they live, write that moment, and invite others to share in their work. The featured poets began working on this project in August and finally presented it in a sacred space that is, of course, filled with priceless art—but also a space that holds all our human emotions. Love, courage, and joy co-exist in churches—but they also make room for doubt, grief, and fear.

I am deeply grateful for the generous and creative collaboration with the Union Church of Pocantico Hills that made this event possible. Thank you, Reverend Patricia Calahan, Carla De Landri, and Natasha Deepti Krishnani for making the windows accessible to the poets for group and individual writing times and for arranging for docent tours through Historic Hudson Valley. Thank you, Linda Knapp, for being our docent on every tour and for your wisdom, humor, and kindness. Many thanks also go out to Katrina London, Curator at the Pocantico Center, for the special lecture about Chagall’s artistic process.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of the Rockefeller family. I am grateful for the legacy of community and art that you continue to share with the world.

Finally—to the poets (and to our one musician): Ann, Marion, Peggy, Marilyn, Iain, Sean, Margo, Phylisha, Michael, and Kathryn: Thank you for being makers, for accepting the challenge, and for meeting our collective moment.

Dominika Wrozynski, HVWC Program Director