The Fantastic Ekphrastic Writing Workshop(Online)
The Fantastic Ekphrastic Writing Workshop
Four Week Class
Wednesdays, March 18-April 8, 2026 from 6:00-8:00pm EST
📍ONLINE delivered via ZOOM
Facilitated by Alli Marshall (I&A Certified)
Sliding Scale Registration | $160 / $200 / $240
Please pay what you’re able—when you’re in a position to support more, your contribution strengthens our community and makes creative learning accessible for all.
2026 Workshop Dates/Times
Wednesdays, March 18-April 8 from 6:00-8:00pm EST
Policies & Agreements
Cancellation and general policies can be found here.
Ekphrastic art is work made in response to another piece of artwork. It can be a poem jump-started by a painting, a song inspired by a sculpture or — to paraphrase a cliche — a dance about architecture. In this class, we’ll focus on flash fiction, flash essay, and prose poetry as our mediums of expression.
We’ll begin with a discussion of ekphrastic art and examples of it from our own bodies of work (it’s likely we’ve all made ekphrastic art, even if unintentionally). We’ll also talk about ekphrastic art as a means of collaboration with a knowing or unknowing fellow artist. And we’ll work on outlining and/or writing flash fiction pieces in response to several artistic works of various mediums.
From there, we’ll move on to creating short pieces that build off our ekphrastic explorations. Through in-class writing prompts, group writing exercises, and motivating assignments, we’ll develop our ekphrastic works into completed pieces.
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Anyone looking to find inspiration in unexpected places, and to trigger ideas for short writing pieces.
Open to writers of all experience levels.
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ALLI MARSHALL
A certified Inward & Artward Creative Facilitator, Alli Marshall aims to follow her curiosity and inspire connection to creativity in others.
Alli received her MFA in creative writing from Goddard College and has taught writing courses through the Great Smokies Writing Program, Flatiron Writers Room, and Revolve. She also periodically offers her immersive experience, “Speed Dating with Trees.”
Alli was named “Artist whose work pushed the boundaries of storytelling” for her multimedia project MER/made at the 2021 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. She received the named the 2018 UNC Asheville Ramsey Library Community Author Award; was selected for the 2019 Pentaculum writing and craft residency at Arrowmont; and won the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize for her short story “Catching Out,” among other honors.
Alli is the author of the novel How to Talk to Rockstars along with various self-published zines and flip books. -
“Alli's thoughtful approach to creative facilitation shines in her workshops. From the delivery of the hero's journey (knowledge of subject, pacing, prompts, handouts) to her supportive and gentle guidance as we examine our stories, I felt a sense of both calm and curiosity, and a willingness to explore these shadowy corners of self. This is in large part to Alli's presence as a facilitator who is fully engaged and delights in taking others on a journey of discovery.” - Faye D.
“With a keen sense of thoroughness, Alli helps participants broaden their introspective lens. She challenges outdated paradigms, integrating inclusivity and diverse perspectives, allowing individuals to explore layers they may have previously overlooked.” - Heather B.
“Alli's meticulously and thoughtfully prepared workshop, Brave Words, led me to new insights in my writing and in my understanding of my own journey. Alli helped me feel confident and welcomed into the workshop with her gentleness, curiosity, and wit. I wholeheartedly recommend taking Alli's classes whenever you can: with her deep dedication and creativity as a facilitator, you can be assured they will be valuable experiences!” - Katherine S.
“Alli’s workshop gave me the opportunity to explore a hero/heroines journey that I hadn’t yet processed or thought about deeply. Her clear guidance, visual facilitation, and calm energy helped me understand parts of myself I hadn’t been able to identify. I left feeling like I had more tools and superpowers than I realized and confident that I could get through whatever obstacle or challenge life sends my way. Alli makes it easy to trust her process because you really believe in her passion, experience and intentions” - Taylor Rose E.
Facilitated by: Alli Marshall (I&A Certified)