English Chair’s New Book Renewed a Sound Body

Quarantined and anxious, Middlesex College English Department Chair Mat Spano was searching desperately for beauty. 

He found his muse by looking at wondrous works of art online and his writings, otherwise known as ekphrastic poems, depicted how the pieces moved, inspired, and healed him. These writings are now the basis of his fourth book, Whispers in the Gallery. 

“I am most proud of this book,” said Spano. “I think it’s the best thing that I have done and maybe the best that I can do.” 

The book is 100 pages and includes over 20 poems and printings of various pieces of art. Spano also writes about some of his favorite music and a movie poster.   

The origin of Whispers in the Gallery, released by Shanti Arts Publishing in August, came during the peak of the pandemic. Spano had attended a party where he believes he contracted the virus. To help pass the time—and take his mind off of coughing—he began searching online galleries from some of the world’s greatest art museums and was stirred to start writing.  

He thought Shanti Arts would be a great publisher for the book, but noted their acceptance rate was low. He sent in a proposal anyway, then forgot about it. When he checked back months later, they told him they were ready. 

“I was surprised that they wanted to do a hard-copy version, because I thought a printing including all the paintings would have to be expensive with colors and details, but this is what they do,” Spano said. 

Some of Spano’s poems are deep and dense, but he intentionally connected the art to his strongest feelings. Spano hopes that readers find inspiration in his writing to do something similar with their favorites works of art. 

Spano is coordinating a reading/presentation event in November in partnership with the Rutgers University Honors Program. 

Spano, who put out his third book, Casting Through Life, in 2025, has no plans for something new. 

“Not any time soon,” he said, smiling. “I’m taking a break.”