Lightning Strikes II

Dolby Chadwick Gallery is pleased to announce Lightning Strikes II. The second edition of this exhibition brings into dialogue poetry and painting, celebrating their rich history of mutual inspiration while mining the inner workings of inspiration itself. “The roots of poetry and painting have always been interwoven. Both draw their nourishment from the same soil. This exhibition provides the space for them to grow as one.”

Lightning Strikes II features 22 pairings of poets and visual artists. The 44 contributors are distinguished by their exceptional talent and often world-renowned reputations. This diverse group includes visual artists, writers, actors, curators, musicians, editors, a Buddhist priest, and the Chief Attorney of the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. They have received impressive recognitions for their creative efforts, including a Pulitzer Prize, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Golden Globe, Grammy awards, Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards, Guggenheim Fellowships, a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, roles as U.S., New York State, and San Francisco Poet Laureates, membership to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Pushcart Prizes, National Book Awards, a Pew Fellowship, and a National Humanities Medal, given by Barack Obama.

Poet and Artist pairings:
Naomi Shihab Nye and John DiPaolo
Devorah Major and Mayme Kratz
Billy Collins and Gary Ruddell
Peter Coyote and Kai Samuels-Davis
Jane Hirshfield and Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann
Charlie Pendergast and Alex Kanevsky
Brenda Hillman and Vanessa Marsh
Tess Taylor and Ann Gale
Ada Limón and David Kelso
Tamsin Smith and Danae Mattes
Renny Pritikin and Maria Porges
Kathleen Brennan and Lisa Russell
Erik Campbell and Éric Antoine
David Whyte and Louise LeBourgeois
Dean Rader and Robert Kingston
Robert Hass and Edwige Fouvry
Louise Glück and Lisa McCutcheon
Matt Gonzalez and Ian Kimmerly
Tom Waits and Lou Ros
Sara Mumolo and Travis Collinson
Matthew Zapruder and Elizabeth Fox
Jack Hirschman and Matt Gonzalez

Live music and poetry readings begin promptly at 3 pm

Open to ticket-holders only. To purchase tickets see links below.
**Please note the Gallery will be closed to the general public all day on December 7th and will open to
ticket-holders at 2 pm.

We greatly appreciate your contribution. 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales to benefit the MFA in Creative Writing scholarship program at Saint Mary’s College, founded by poets Brenda Hillman and Robert Hass.

CLICK HERE to Purchase Tickets

**Please note: Due to high demand and limited space, many ticket-holders will need to stand during the reading. Thank you in advance for your patience, and for your enthusiasm for this exciting event. 

Lightning Strikes II: 22 poets. 22 artists.  is accompanied by a limited-edition, fully illustrated, 68-page hardcover catalogue of the same name. Each ticket-holder will receive a copy.

CLICK HERE to Purchase Exhibition Catalogue

Dolby Chadwick Gallery has been an ardent supporter of young and emerging creative talent since its founding more than twenty-three years ago. Its promotion of the literary arts has been a meaningful complement to its advancement of the visual arts. Lightning Strikes II continues in the spirit of this tradition, championing burgeoning creative talent and fostering community relations through its support of the Creative Writing scholarship fund at Saint Mary’s College.

To learn more about the Saint Mary’s College MFA in Creative Writing scholarship fund,
please CLICK HERE.

To donate to the Saint Mary’s College MFA in Creative Writing scholarship fund directly,
please CLICK HERE.