My body tells a story

Of where it has been

Of what it has done

Excerpt from Lora-Ellen McKinney’s “A Maid’s Journey”

By Jordan Somers

Community residents and artists came together at Seattle’s historic Liberty Bank Building to attend the collaborative and immersive “P3: The Painting & Poetry Project 2022” event, orchestrated by poet, award-winning author and Seattle native, Lora-Ellen McKinney.

“I wanted to be in that space because there’s lots of history there, and it’s a work of art. My father, Dr. Samuel Barry McKinney, was also one of the founders of Liberty bank when it was in existence.” The years-in-the-making event featured a diverse collection of “painters,” representing a vast spectrum of skills and talents, including storytellers, sculptors, quilters and rappers - all of whom collaborated in accordance and expression with assigned poems written by McKinney.

Mckinney formulated the idea with artist and longtime friend, Gene Gentry McMahon, who was among the pool of participating painters.   “It was supposed to be eight paintings; four paintings would be inspired by my poetry and vice versa.”  The idea evolved into a broader collaborative project, culminating in up-and-coming and famous artists alike who dedicated months to crafting their finished works, inspired and underpinned by McKinney’s words. 

The virtual and in-person event allowed for artists and community residents to be connected both near and far.  Works ranged from a raw, melodic music video decrying the death - and its implications - of Emmett Till, to vivid, color-rich painting representing the tragic tale of what it meant to be a black maid in America.

McKinney was intentional with her assignments to each painter, seeking to challenge their own processes with conflicting ideas and expressions of life. “I tried to give each artist a poem that was going to challenge them, to push them a bit,” said McKinney.  Marita Dingus, one of the event’s participants, was given a poem about joy, which juxtaposed much of her traditional work that details the visceral acts and ramifications of tribulation and despair.

“This is a conversation between one poet and a community of artists to explore the intersections of various forms of art.”  Mckinney continues, “to see what those explorations did to enhance the understanding of the world we live in, and to create opportunities for a deeper understanding between different kinds of people with different skills and talents.”

McKinney plans to have a virtual tour of the collaborative works between her and the artists this November. 

Photos by Jordan Somers