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The Poetry House in process
In 2001,
Cazadero sculptor Bruce Johnson embarked upon a new project. Having dreamed
for years about building a sacred space, he initially conceived of his new
project as a teahouse. �A teahouse represents essential, everyday simplicity
in harmony with nature,�
said Johnson. With the gift of an old salvaged
redwood log, which he decided to use for posts and beams in the sacred
building, he began work. Several years later, when the teahouse was well
underway, he came upon an eloquent poem by Elizabeth Herron. He then
realized that he was really building a �poetry house--an empty space where
attention resides.� He
asked Herron to join him in the project.
Elevations & Floor Plans
for the Poetry House
Interior Joinery of the Poetry House
Elizabeth immediately accepted, even though at the time, the nature of the collaboration was still a mystery to her. One day, without realizing it, she �transposed the words Poetry House into Poet�s House�possessive, personal, and specific. The writing took off,� she said. �I began a wonderful epic poem which I called The Poet�s House, paralleling Bruce�s beautiful sacred sculpture.�
Bruce Johnson, an internationally known sculptor, has exhibited his work recently at the Paradise Ridge Sculpture Garden in Santa Rosa. His sculpture is also in permanent collections in Japan, Spain, and throughout the United States. Poet Elizabeth Carothers Herron is Professor of Arts and Humanities at Sonoma State University, and the author of many articles, collections of poetry and a book of short fiction. Jimalee Plank creates handmade and hand bound books for artists, poets, and writers.
Bruce Johnson with the Poetry House
Copper Detail, Exterior Wall of the Poetry House
This evening at Quicksilver, Poetry, Architecture, and Handmade Books, will include a photographic presentation on the Poetry House by Bruce Johnson; a reading and talk by poet Elizabeth Herron; and a special demonstration and display of handmade books by Jimalee Plank.
This event is free and open to the public; seating is limited.
Winter gallery hours are:
11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday
Closed WednesdaysThe Quicksilver Mine Co.
LOCATION: 6671 Front St. (Highway 116) in downtown Forestville.
PHONE: 707.887.0799 ~ FAX: 707.887.0146
MAIL: P.O. Box 844, Forestville, CA 95436-0844
