Trying to Find the Words 3/2026
Exploring the power of language through visual and spoken art
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 6-8pm
Join us in the gallery to mingle with artists, listen to poetry, check out the art and take part in art activities. We would love to see you there!
Exhibit Run: March 26 - April 18, 2026
Parking and admission are free to the public to view.
Call for art!
To enter, please click on the button below. All entries must be submitted online. There are no paper forms available. If you need help, please email dc4arts@downriverarts.org to set up an appointment with the DCA office and we can assist you or let you use one of the office computers.
Call for art deadline: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 by 8pm
Trying to Find the Words” invites artists of all mediums to explore the power of language—how it shapes, shadows, or slips through their creative process. Held during Poetry Month, this exhibit lingers in the space between what’s said and what’s felt, where meaning flickers and form listens. Whether words are muse, material, or mystery, this is a place to speak without speaking.
The Downriver Council for the Arts (DCA) fosters ekphrastic poetry — poetry inspired by visual art— for National Poetry Month collaborations with the Downriver Poets & Playwrights. These programs encourage artists and writers to create, collaborate, and explore emotional responses to art.
Along with regular visual and performance art entries into the exhibit, the DCA is also putting a call out for any visual artists who would like to submit a photo of their 2D, 3D or performance artwork being entered into the exhibit as a piece for a member of the Downriver Poets & Playwrights to add deeper emotional context and storytelling through creating a poetry piece inspired by the visual art. We are asking for these art submissions to be emailed by March 6, 2026 to dc4arts@downriverarts.org, subject: Ekphrastic entry.
For more insight, read our DCA blog post about Ekphrastic Poetry: https://www.downriverarts.org/blog-mixed-medias/2025/6/23/ekphrastic-poetry
Complete exhibit guidelines and entry form can be found by clicking on the button. Below is where you can pay your entry fee online if you choose. There are NO EXTRA FEES to pay online.
