Gaines was present during the first part of the workshop, guiding participants through the exhibition, answering questions about his process and highlighting key details in his large-scale gridworks. Following the walkthrough, the group gathered in the center of the gallery, where Schaffner led a series of activities to help them prepare written responses to the exhibition, including an ‘exquisite corpse’ exercise that generated unexpected, collaborative sentences about the works on view. Participants were reminded that perfection was not the goal. Instead, within the given time constraints, the focus was on generating writing and ideas together—remaining open to the experience and the surprises it might bring.   

The participants’ writing took many forms, including prose, poetry and stream of consciousness. After sharing their responses, the group engaged in a positive feedback session, with many noting how the act of sharing and discussing their writing deepened their collective understanding of the work on display. 

After the workshop, poet Asriel Hayes shared, ‘In a way it reignited a writing flame within me!’ Alexandra Lopez Iglesias said, ‘What an incredible night. I left the workshop buzzing. So grateful that I got to be a part of something so magical.’ 

Below is a carousel featuring excerpts from their written responses to the exhibition followed by the full PDF.