Gail Speckmann, Artist, Photographer, Poet

Gail began writing most of her poetry about twenty years ago. Her poetry has been performed in Bloomington Center for the Arts’ “Fall Fusion” and at a Poetry Slam for St Barnabas Lutheran Church. One of her favorite experiences was being a judge for “Poetry Out Loud” for Anoka High School students. She has had several opportunities to display her poetry and paintings together in group and solo shows. In the fall of 2020, two of her poems were etched onto sidewalk panels along 66th Street and Lyndale. They were selected for a "Richfield Sidewalk Poetry" competition with the theme of "Family". Gail has been a member for many years in “Women of Words” and the “National League of American Pen Women”. Recently she served as a national board member. Prior to that, she had the role of program chairperson for the Minnesota branch.

Nature, seasons, darkness and light, have inspired much of Gail's poetry, Life experiences, emotions and spirituality issues have been ongoing themes in Gail's work. Having sung for over 50 years in choirs, the rhythm and meter have become part of the natural expression that comes through in her writing. Most of the poetry that she has written initially is heard internally. She writes them down as quickly as she can and then works on them to bring to completion.