What are you doing for National Poetry Month? The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach wants to ensure that residents and visitors throughout the Grand Strand recognize April as National Poetry Month and take time to read, write, and celebrate poetry in its many forms. The museum has scheduled a variety of events to facilitate that focus. 

“Our hope is that art museum visitors will find their own creative inspiration in both the art on the walls and the words shared,” says Pat Goodwin, museum director.

The month-long series of programming originated with a scheduled reading by Marjory Wentworth, South Carolina Poet Laureate 2003-2020 and frequent artistic collaborator with Mary Edna Fraser, whose monotype and batik exhibit “Awakening” is on display at the museum through May 18. Wentworth will read from her most recent book, One River, One Boat (2024), a collection of occasional poems that features Fraser’s work on its cover, on April 24. The two artists have a history of collaboration on books, exhibits, and projects that convey a shared concern for the environment and love for South Carolina's lowcountry.

“My work with Marjory is designed to make people realize, in this day and time, that they have a voice, and they need to use it for good,” says Fraser. “Good for the environment, and also good for other human beings. We want them to come in and, whatever they care about, to become activated again.”

Wentworth said her reading will enhance the viewer’s experience of Fraser’s exhibit.

“It will be very anchored in place and show that you can, either visually or through language, articulate how you feel or what you know about a place and a community that you love,” says Wentworth.

Myrtle Beach Poet Laureate Bo Bryan kicks off  Poetry Month at the museum on April 1 with an event that introduces the Myrtle Beach Public Poetry Project to the museum. The Myrtle Beach Public Poetry Project features a physical box that is moved to different locations around the city and displays a rotating series of Bryan’s poems. Community members are encouraged to read the poems, write one of their own, and leave it in the box. Poems are posted on the Myrtle Beach Public Poetry website at myrtlebeachpoetry.com. The box will reside at Myrtle Beach Art Museum throughout April. Bryan will host a local poets’ reading on April 4, featuring Plantersville multimedia poet Marlanda DeKine, among others.

Coastal Carolina University faculty and students will hold the poetry spotlight for a reading and interactive activity on April 10. Assistant professor Erin Slaughter will read from her poetry collection The Sorrow Festival (2022), and Hastings Hensel, senior lecturer, from his poetry collection Ballyhoo (2019). Select CCU graduate and undergraduate students will read from work created in Slaughter’s and Hensel’s courses.
In addition, the art museum will offer a children’s haiku workshop in conjunction with a guided tour through Fraser’s exhibit.

“The museum’s events represent two diverse means of expression, with each to be appreciated singularly or together,” says Goodwin. “The Roman poet Horace said, ‘A picture is a poem without words.’ During the month of April, you’ll be able to enjoy both pictures and words at the art museum.”

“Art Meets Poetry”

April 1, 10:30 a.m.: Poetry Month kickoff and Myrtle Beach Poetry Project welcome featuring Myrtle Beach Poet Laureate Bo Bryan

April 4, 3 p.m.: Local poets' reading featuring Myrtle Beach Poet Laureate Bo Bryan and Plantersville multimedia poet Marlanda DeKine

April 10, 4 p.m.: Coastal Carolina University faculty and student poetry reading featuring Erin Slaughter, assistant professor, and Hastings Hensel, senior lecturer, both of the Department of English

April 14-20: Weeklong Haiku-making activity

April 24, 4 p.m.: Poetry reading and book signing with South Carolina Poet Laureate 2003-2020 Marjory Wentworth

For more information, contact the Myrtle Beach Art Museum at (843) 238-2510