Framing Love is a poetry festival that will include a variety of area artists and performers. Photo courtesy Wendy Angulo
Richmond Hill native and current resident Wendy Angulo believes strongly in the power of the spoken word.
In fact, that belief led to her founding last year of an annual arts and poetry festival called Canvas of Words, whose main purpose is to support, encourage and promote poetry and visual arts in Queens through collaborative events among both established and emerging artists.
“I have always been a lover of the arts and I think they are fundamental to our culture’s development,” says Angulo, 38, curator of Canvas of Words, who studied law in Caracas, Venezuela, before returning to her native New York City in 1998.
“Queens has a lot of talent and deserves more exposure. I wanted to help assist that, so I decided to produce a show with performing poets and a mixture of visual artists,” she explains.
The festival had its debut, a sold-out show last October with a turn-out of more than 200.
And so, that success helped pave the way for an upcoming, love-themed show on February 22 in Jamaica.
Angulo says that the upcoming show will focus on love, as “seen through the eyes of men and told by their words.”
Promotional copy for the February event says that some of the city’s most recognized poets will tackle the various stages of love from infatuation and courtship to marriage, breakup and divorce.
The event will also feature a special photography exhibition by visionary enthusiast Daisy Arroyo.
Hosted by John Acevedo, featured Queens’ artists will include Advocate of Wordz, Danny Matos, Chilo Cajigas, Sammy Samson Maldonado, MonuMentals, and Jamaal St. John.
Asked about how the festival came together, Angulo, currently a member of the NYC Latina Writers Group recalls partnering with Peggy Robles Alvarado as producer and contacting several local visual artists.
“We built up a poetry performance list of distinguished and emerging poets,” Angulo recalls. “…We developed a marketing plan and promoted the event through social media. No magic, just persistence.”
Regarding the upcoming Canvas event, Angulo is hopeful that people will get something more than just entertainment from the show.
“I’m hoping people come away with some fulfillment and more questions concerning Love,” she says. “I’m hoping to surprise them with how close to home some of the poems will make them feel, or maybe give some insight into new perspectives and maybe even challenge some long held ideas.”
Angulo adds, “I believe in the end, Love is all we have. Through spoken word and photos, the audience will be given a journey covering numerous topics concerning Love.”
In addition, she feels strongly that Queens’ artists need all the help they can get.
“Canvas of Words believes a Queens’ audience deserves well produced shows in their own backyard. A place for developing and seasoned artist to share their talents in my home borough,” Angulo notes.
“I love the fellow boroughs, but I want to do for Queens right now and give it another platform to be proud of. We’re building towards becoming a staple in our community.”
The show, Canvas of Words: Framing Love will take place on February 22 from 7pm-10pm at the Victoria Congregational Church on 144-64 87th Avenue in Jamaica.
For more information on the show, or to order advance tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Or, visit the festival’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/
By Alan Krawitz
