The Academy of Intentional Magic (AIM), a new creative learning platform, announced its launch today, building on the nearly twenty-year legacy of the Poetry Barn and expanding into a broader commons for artists, writers, teachers, and creatives. Founded by Lissa Kiernan, the Academy aims to honor the spirit of creative work as "love made visible," a phrase from Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet" that has guided her since high school. For artists, this love manifests in the relentless pursuit of their craft—whether it's the poem revised for the tenth time, the scale practiced ad nauseam, or the scrappy xeriscape garden. AIM embraces this dedication, providing a home for artists of all disciplines.
Poetry remains AIM's first love, but the frame has widened significantly. The Academy now makes room for artists of all kinds, especially those working at the intersections of disciplines, where one way of seeing alters another. This interdisciplinary exchange continues year-round in Murmurations, AIM's online community designed for sharing works-in-progress, questions, discoveries, and creative invitations. The Academy offers a comprehensive ecosystem for working artists, encompassing eight interconnected areas: Community, Education, Mentoring, Publishing, Library, Retreats, and Outreach. These pillars support artists in maintaining balance between creative work and life, providing access to master mentors, opportunities for publication, a free public library of 4,000 poetry volumes, immersive retreats, and partnerships with high schools to deliver multidisciplinary arts workshops.
AIM's fall offerings reflect its inclusive philosophy, making no distinction between art and craft, or between formal and popular traditions. A classical form and a rock lyric, a folk craft and a fine art, are held with the same seriousness and welcome. Among the first offerings is "Sky Writing: Write Your Own Horoscope," a workshop led by somatic astrologer Cory Nakasue, taking place on September 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 6–8 p.m. ET. This workshop approaches the horoscope as a creative and symbolic form—part interpretation, part storytelling, and part poetry.
To mark Labor Day, AIM is inviting artists to share what they're working on in Murmurations—a messy draft, a half-finished painting, a melody, a collage, an outline, an experiment, even the seed of an idea. The invitation comes with no expectation of polish; the Academy wants to see the work while it's still becoming. This call underscores AIM's commitment to process over product, nurturing creativity in its rawest form.
In addition, AIM is currently inviting teaching artists to propose a practice, experience, or learning module for future offerings, fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge and skills are shared across disciplines. The Academy's programs are available now at www.academyofintentionalmagic.com.
