Def Poetry Jam Reunion at Grounds for Sculpture

Join us for a mobile exploration of word flow, verses and landscapes as Danny Simmons brings a Def Poetry Jam Reunion to Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) featuring poet and master ceramicist Roberto Lugo. This partnership is inspired by our 2023 acquisition of Lugo’s 20-foot vessel Put Yourself in the Picture, which is now installed, outdoors on our 42-acre campus. The piece is the largest work Lugo had made, to date, and was created as part of his 2022 exhibition at GFS.  The title of the vessel was pulled from a poem, performed by legendary rapper, teacher, poet, and philosopher KRS-one, at Def Poetry Jam (a spoken word poetry television series) where KRS-one stated “..visualize wealth and put yourself in the picture”.  We are thrilled to partner with poet, painter, and philanthropist Danny Simmons as he curates Def Poetry Jam Alumni to share their poetic practice on one night: The Gazebo (at the center of the park) and Put Yourself in the Picture (outside of the Museum Building). The evening includes the opportunity to explore our gardens and collection, a DJ to get our evening started , food trucks for pay as you go flavors, two New Jersey poets (names to be shared shortly!) and Def Poetry Jam Alumni sharing their craft.