Explore Exeter’s 17th Century Custom House with writer-in-residence Kim Squirrell.
Are you interested in experimenting with ekphrastic writing? This workshop led by poet Kim Squirrell is an opportunity to explore innovative approaches and exercises for poetry writing in response to the Custom House’s objects, images and archives. Inspired by Dr Sally Flint’s research on ekphrastic writing and research, the workshop will encourage writers to move ‘beyond description’ and peel back layers of meaning and association to write the unexpected.
Cost: Pay What You Can Afford
About the writer: Kim Squirrell is a multidisciplinary writer and artist. Raised in Birmingham, but born to live in the Westcountry, her Irish-Caribbean heritage has led her to explore colonialism and the lives of working people, finding commonality and connections through the work of hands.
Her poetry and short stories have appeared in anthologies including: More Fiya (Canongate 2023,) Café Stories and Resist (Comma Press 2018/19,) Out of Bounds (Bloodaxe 2012) and literary magazines including: Riptide, Stand and the Poetry Review. Her novel-in-progress won the 2022 Sky Arts RSL Fiction Award and the 2021 Bridport Prize Dorset Award. 2021 also saw her shortlisted for the inaugural James Berry Poetry Prize established by Newcastle University’s Centre for Literary Arts (NCLA) and the renowned poetry publishing house Bloodaxe Books.
Accessibility Statement: Events take place in historic rooms on the first floor of the building. There is step-free entry to the ground floor and a lift connects the ground and first floors. If you have particular access requirements please phone or email the Custom House Visitor Centre in advance of your visit.
There are five free disabled parking spaces for registered Blue Badge holders next to the Exeter Antiques Centre immediately in front of the Custom House. Maximum stay is three hours.
Please email Quay Words on quaywords@literatureworks.org.uk with any accessibility enquiries.
We can accommodate free tickets for carers or personal assistants if needed – just email us after booking to let us know.