The Poetry and Art of Michal (Mitak) Mahgerefteh

I am a Virginia-based mixed media artist and poet whose creative journey spans over two decades in both visual and literary arts. My work emerges from a place of memory, movement, and meditation—often inspired by my Moroccan heritage, nature’s quiet rhythms, and the interior landscapes shaped by womanhood, spirituality, and resilience. I blend floral motifs and swirling circular patterns, layering digital collage with watercolor, pastel, and ink. My art celebrates bold color,

I express gratitude to the art centers and galleries that deemed my art worthy of recognition and awards: 2027 Solo show; The Norfolk Botanical Garden; June - December, 2027 Solo show: Green Springs Gardens; September-November, 2027 Solo exhibition, Bodzin Art Gallery, Dec' 2026-January 2027; 2026 Donated two painting to TowneBank Fundraising event, 2026; One painting included in a group show @ Las Lagunas Gallery; Three artist exhibition, TCC Norfolk Art Center; Art for Kid

Finding words in the landscape of loss. For a long time, my poetry existed only in the margins of my days; scattered verses jotted down while hiking, riding my bike, or reflecting on art and nature. But this past summer brought an unimaginable wave of loss, taking my brother and several cherished family members in a painful six-month span. In the wake of that grief, the fragments stopped being enough. I returned to full-form poetry because I needed a container large enough to