April Art and National Poetry Month

 

It's the 30th Anniversary of National Poetry Month and I'm glad to be participating in a variety of ways. 

Pikes Peak State College with the PPSC Nearby Universe writers group is hosting an exciting event. 

Join us for an evening with poet Juan Morales. Take part in a writing workshop and connect with fellow writers. Presenting an open mic of readings from SITREP poetry contest winners and local authors sharing their work. This event is free and open to the public.

I have the privilege of having a table to sell and sign my books (not just poetry) and participating in the open mic as a member of the Nearby Universe.

VISITING WRITER JUAN MORALES

Apr 3 | Downtown, Learning Commons 

4-5 pm Juan Morales Workshop Room S205

5-5:30 pm Juan Morales Author Talk and Reading

5:30-6 pm Open Mic (I will be reading some poetry)

6-7 pm Local Author Tables

100 W Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 

 

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK

Take advantage of this great weekly experience in the local art scene. Several of the galleries where my artwork are showing are listed on this website.  

 

ART ALOUD - APRIL 2026

Five venues have been opened for writers, poets, and artists to share their works. Artist works are combined with written works: poetry, story, lyrics, quotes, or anything to do with the written word. Look for my artwork listed below.

Open Mic and Receptions

·         Saturday, April 4, 11 am-1 pm

o   Sand Creek Library Open House - Artists reading in recording studio, 1821 S. Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80916

Artwork on Show: 

    Leaning Tower of Tiramisu, Prismacolor and Graphite, $85

    La Fleur du Chat, Linocut Print, $100

·         Saturday, April 11, 4-7 pm

o   Gallery Raw Studios at Dale J. Miller Center for Guitar Studies, 3617 Betty Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80917

Artwork on Show: 

     Queen of the Couch, Linocut Print, $80

    Cat Fishing, Acrylic on Canvas, $75 

·         Tuesday, April 14, 6-8 pm

o   Rico’s Café, 320 N. Tejon St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Artwork on Show: 

Freedom - Galations 5:1, $2000 

·         Friday, April 17, 4-7 pm

o   Academy Art and Frame Company, 7650 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Artwork on Show: 

Salmon, Embossed Foil; Cat-In-A-Box, Conte' Crayon and Charcoal; Bull Moose (Large) Linocut print 

·         Saturday, April 25, 2-5 pm

o   Platte Collections 2331 E. Platte Place, Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Artwork on Show: 

The Power of Peace, Silver Acrylic Ink and Hand-Embossed Foil, $400 

Cottonwood Center for the Arts - Entropy Show

Artists considered entropy, and the concept of disorder as the eventual natural state of the world. It is in the nature of humanity to want to create sequence, structure, patterns, and lines. They share an interpretation of the delight that can be found in the opposite - the jumble and disarray that is the eventual evolution of all order.  

April 3-30

Artwork on show.

And, as always...

Don't Miss the MAC!

I have two different pieces at the Manitou Art Center 1st Amendment Show in the Intemann Gallery  

March 30-June 30

Thanks for supporting the arts!

 

 

March Art

 

Spring is here and I've got my year-in-art planned out finally! I did some early spring cleaning and made room for more art supplies. It's taking over my home! Ah, the life of an artist. 

This month I'm pleased to have artwork in another show at Cottonwood Center for the Arts. 

Cottonwood Center for the Arts is pleased to announce a juried exhibition for the month of March featuring works in response to an open call to the public: STEP, REPEAT

Pattern—an artistic, musical, literary, or mechanical repeating design or form—has been employed as an embellishment throughout the history of civilization, but it has achieved its own power and meaning in modern and postmodern art. No longer dismissed as ornament or ‘women’s work’, pattern can be abstracted, magnified, made into subject, or it can make a subversive statement in the hands of a contemporary artist.

This call invited artists to submit works that use a repeated pattern as an intentional, essential element. All mediums were considered, previously exhibited works were not be accepted.

First Friday Reception from 5 - 8 pm, and all month during normal business hours.

 

Don't Miss the MAC!

I have two additional pieces at the Manitou Art Center 1st Amendment Show in the Intemann Gallery  

February 3 - March 28 

Thanks for supporting the arts!

   

 

 

February Art

 

One-Person Show 

I am excited to have a one-person show at the

UCCS Downtown Meeting Space 

This is done through the coordination of the most helpful and supportive Jessica de la Luna, Vice President & Curator of the Pikes Peak Arts Council.

 

You are invited to the opening during the

First Friday Artwalk 

February 6

5:00 - 8:00 pm

102 S. Tejon St.

See my two latest paintings, and seventeen other pieces February 2 through March 2, 2026. 

The UCCS Meeting Space is open Monday-Fridays 9:00 am - 5:00 pm otherwise. 

Be mindful that parking is not free Downtown during these hours. Metered street parking and the Downtown public parking garage are available.

Don't Miss the MAC!

I will have two additional pieces at the Manitou Art Center 1st Amendment Show in the Intemann Gallery  

February 3 - March 28 

The MAC has changed hours recently, so be sure to check on their days and times prior to arrival. 

Thanks for supporting the arts!

   

 

  

  

 

 

Happy New Year 2026!

 

Happy New Year to all who love the arts! This month I will be preparing for two art shows in February.

 

So, in the meantime, here are a few poems to contemplate and perhaps encourage you to add more poetry to your life. 

 

The Door of Poetry  

The door of poetry swings open

As if pushed by great and passionate arms.

 

Why the doors to love, poetry and art were closed

I have few reasons; some I know of.

 

Here are a few:

      My heart was broken—really broken.

      By God or the other I honestly cannot say.

 

      My heart was shuttered—dark and gloomy

      By a myriad of disappointments—not all Eros.

 

      My heart was afraid—an ancient tradition of mine.

      Afraid of enjoying life and not being able

                  To find contentment.

 

The door of poetry is open again

      Pushed in by great and compassionate arms.

 

Why the doors to love, poetry and art will remain open

I have a few reasons, some I know of.

 

Here are a few:

      My heart is mended, with telling scars

      By God and time I know for certain.

 

      My heart is filled with light—warm and tender

      By a myriad of content moments—all His love.

 

      My heart is not afraid—

ancient traditions permitted by death—

Have given room for life’s enjoyment and

      True contentment.

 

 

Poetry Shelf

 

Poetry takes up little space

On paper and on shelf.

But, oh, what vastness,

Beauty, grace and wealth!

 

 

© M.R.Hyde 2026

 

And one from another collection that I have posted in my study and that inspires me daily...

 

I woke early

to stack my words

as my speech’s slave

did its morning work.

 

I have piled a mound

of praise that long

will stand without crumbling

in poetry’s field.

 

The Sagas of the Icelanders, "Egil’s Saga", Penguin Books, 1997.