Wordsmith: A Def Poetry Reunion Honoring Sonia Sanchez

Join us for a second exploration of word flow, verses, live music and landscapes as Danny Simmons presents Wordsmith: A Def Poetry Reunion Honoring Sonia Sanchez – The Poetry Of Peace & Resistance at Grounds For Sculpture (GFS). This partnership is inspired by our 2023 acquisition of Roberto Lugo’s 20-foot vessel Put Yourself in the Picture, which is installed outdoors on our 42 acre campus. The piece is Lugo’s largest work to date, and was created at the Seward Johnson Atelier as part of his 2022 exhibition at GFS. The title of the vessel comes from a poem, performed by legendary rapper, teacher, poet, and philosopher KRS-one, at Def Poetry Jam (a spoken word poetry television series) where KRS-one stated “..visualize wealth and put yourself in the picture”. We are thrilled to partner with poet, painter, and philanthropist Danny Simmons as he curates Def Poetry Alumni, poets, musicians, activists and scholars to share their artistic practice at Put Yourself in the Picture : Toni Blackman, Kraal “Kayo” Charles, Derick Cross, Lezlie Harrison, Vanessa Hidary, Roberto Lugo, Jessica Care Moore, Abiodun Oyewole, Bonafide Rojas, Ursula Rucker, Sonia Sanchez, and Nioka Workman. The evening includes the opportunity to explore the sculpture park, food trucks for pay-as-you-go flavors, and our exhibitions Clifford Ward: I’ll Make Me A World and Slow Motion. 42 acres, poetry, live music, food trucks and a 20-foot vessel: Join us for an unforgettable experience within our art-filled gardens!