PoArtry Evening Success

Tuesday, 13th June 2023 saw the start of a new series of evening PoArtry sessions at The Art Yard. Led by TAY's own radio presenter Sandra Robinson supported by Stan Tucker and Harry Bloomer, and with volunteer Luke Hudson in the wings, the event was on outstanding success.

Some 26 artists expressed an interest in taking part and on the night 17 names were pulled out of the hat and over 50 poems of varying lengths and styles were delivered to a very appreciative audience.

Among those taking part were a small number of poets for whom it was their first time reading allowed in front of a live audience.

It was way back in 2016 that PoArtry was established at the old gallery on Reddal Hill Road with club chairman, Warren McCabe-Smith naming the event after a combination of art and poetry. Then a project saw artists creating images based on poems written by local poets. The new event was more of a trial to establish how future PoArtry evenings might be shaped. Everyone agreed that the new gallery provides a very fitting background for poets to deliver their work.

Feedback received by Sandra on the night's performances, included, "An excellent evening, very well organised and a lovely eclectic net of presentations to make you smile and reflect".

Sandra said of what the performer fed back, "I'm well chuffed with that lot. They'll be useful commentary for future advertisement or promotion".

TAY team are grateful to everyone who participated and Harry is in the process of editing audio recording from the evening for Sandra to broadcast on her Time For TAY podcast on Black Country Xtra.