An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose. Langston Hughes ••• The Mad Gallery ••• “Its a nap” by Featured Artist Shriya Rawat To feel all of Shriya’s humming & colorful photographs, as well as our other past featured artists, visit our Mad Gallery! ••• …
The Best of Mad Swirl : 01.24.26
Art is doing. Art deals directly with life. Ruth Asawa ••• The Mad Gallery ••• “Morning Chorus at Yamuna Ghat” by Featured Artist Shriya Rawat To feel all of Shriya’s humming & colorful photographs, as well as our other past featured artists, visit our Mad Gallery! ••• The Poetry Forum ••• This last week on Mad Swirl’s Poetry Forum… we triumphed …
Mad Swirl Open Mic : 02.04.26
Join Mad Swirl this 1st Wednesday of February (aka 02.04.26) when we’ll be doin’ the open mic voodoo that we do at Barbara’s Pavillion! We will get things started with some musical grooves brought to you by our long standing house band Swirve! (Chris & Tamitha Curiel, Gerard Bendiks). Then, starting at 8pm, hosts Johnny O & MH Clay will …
The Best of Mad Swirl : 01.17.26
I think a lot of making art is listening to yourself. Kiki Smith ••• The Mad Gallery ••• “Blooming Joy” by Featured Artist Shriya Rawat To feel all of Shriya’s humming & colorful photographs, as well as our other past featured artists, visit our Mad Gallery! ••• The Poetry Forum ••• This last week on Mad Swirl’s Poetry Forum… we would …
The Best of Mad Swirl : 01.10.26
All art really does is keep you focused on questions of humanity, and it really is about how do we get on with our maker. David Bowie ••• The Mad Gallery ••• “Occhiolism” by Featured Artist Shriya Rawat To feel all of Shriya’s humming & colorful photographs, as well as our other past featured artists, visit our Mad Gallery! ••• The …
Note of Gratitude to the Mad Ones : 01.07.26
This past 1st Wednesday of January (aka 01.07.26) Mad Swirl Open Mic was found whirling up the Swirl at Barbara’s Pavillion, getting the Mad mic opened for ALL you Mad ones out there! This month we featured Dallas writer, educator, poet & storyteller, Tim Coward! Grats to ALL the participators & swirlabrators who helped ring in this holiday season: Hosts: …
Podcast: Inside the Eye: Q4 2025
Listen on Patreon OR on Spotify! Welcome to Mad Swirl‘s latest installment of “Inside the Eye!” In this episode: Hosts Johnny O (Chief Editor), MH Clay (Poetry Editor) & Tyler Malone (Short Story Editor) interviewed Contributing Poet & Writer Jeff Grimshaw! Here’s a bit about Jeff: Jeff Grimshaw has had poems and stories published (among other places) in New York Quarterly, Asimov’s …
The Best of Mad Swirl : 01.03.26
Not all those who wander are lost. J. R. R. Tolkien ••• The Mad Gallery ••• “Splendid Safdarjung” by Featured Artist Shriya Rawat In her photographs of New Delhi, Shriya Rawat captures the capital of India as the living organism it is, all pulse and texture, beauty and chaos — suffice it to say we’re beyond thrilled to welcome her to …