The Academy of Intentional Magic (AIM), a new creative learning platform, launched this week, building on the nearly twenty-year legacy of the Poetry Barn. The organization expands beyond poetry to serve a broader community of artists, writers, teachers, and creatives, offering a range of programs and resources.
Founder Lissa Kiernan, who has led the Poetry Barn since its inception, said the new name reflects a philosophy that has guided her work. "Work is love made visible," she said, quoting Kahlil Gibran, "and for artists, that work is often what we can't stop returning to — the poem revised for the tenth time, the scale practiced ad nauseam, the scrappy xeriscape garden. That's the spirit behind the Academy."
AIM positions itself as a "commons for creative practice," with eight interconnected areas: community, education, mentoring, publishing, library, retreats, and outreach. The community component is an online social network where artists can collaborate and share practices. Education includes curated studios, craft labs, and circles, continuing a tradition of online workshops that began in 2007. Mentoring offers access to a consortium of master artists. Publishing provides opportunities through an in-house press and journal. The library offers free public access to 4,000 volumes of poetry, specializing in single-author collections.
The platform's interdisciplinary approach is evident in its fall offerings. One of the first is "Sky Writing: Write Your Own Horoscope," a workshop led by somatic astrologer Cory Nakasue, scheduled for September 8, 15, 22, and 29. The workshop treats horoscopes as creative and symbolic forms, blending interpretation, storytelling, and poetry.
To mark Labor Day, AIM is inviting artists to share works-in-progress in its online community, Murmurations. The call is open to any creative endeavor — a messy draft, a half-finished painting, or even the seed of an idea. In keeping with AIM's philosophy, there is no expectation of polish; the academy wants to see work while it is still becoming.
Kiernan emphasized that AIM makes no distinction between art and craft, or between formal and popular traditions. A classical form and a rock lyric are treated with equal seriousness. This welcoming stance extends to teaching artists, who are invited to propose practices or learning modules for future programs.
The launch comes at a time when artists are seeking community and support, particularly after the disruptions of recent years. AIM's comprehensive ecosystem aims to provide that support, addressing not only creative development but also the practical aspects of an artist's life, such as mentoring and publishing.
The Academy's programs are available now at academyofintentionalmagic.com. As the organization grows, it plans to expand its retreats and outreach partnerships, ensuring that its resources reach a wide audience.
