Picturing America Series of 3 Lectures

04/17/2012 to 05/01/2012
Tuesdays from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
3 Sessions

Picturing America
Series of 3 lectures $99

America's art tells America's story - the optimism, humor, struggles and triumphs. This series explores how artists in America portray the people, landscape, and history of this country in ways that reflect their beliefs, ideals and ideas.

Wendy Evans has an MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University, England, and an MA in Art History from Wayne State University… Show more where she teaches art history. Wendy volunteers at the Detroit Institute of Arts and gives lectures on art history topics around the metropolitan area.

American Roots
Art in America began with its indigenous peoples. The colonists want portraits portaying them as a new elite. Artists like John Singleton Copley emerge to capture their silks and satins. The new nation demanded history paintings then turned to landscapes to celebrate the expanse of pristine land seen as reflective of the character of the pioneers and indicating the destiny of the nation. The Civil War brought trauma and change, including the introduction of photography.
TUE 4/17 7:00-9:00pm $36 (series $99)

To Europe and Back
American artists flock to study art in Europe in the 1800s. Some, like John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassatt stay overseas, others return bringing new styles. Thomas Eakins brought realism, Frederick Childe Hassam brought impressionism. Robert Henri encouraged his followers, the Ashcan artists, to take a close look at the gritty life in New York City. The Armory Show introduced the latest avant-garde art from Europe.
TUE 4/24 7:00-9:00pm $36 (series $99)

Triumph and Challenges
American art becomes more distinct with the lonely cities of Edward Hopper and the innocence of Norman Rockwell's Middle America. After WWII New York becomes the center of the art world as Jackson Pollock and others create new ways to paint and introduce new art materials. Challenges to the old traditions grow as artists emerge from communities previously excluded from the mainstream of American art to demand their place.
TUE 5/1 7:00-9:00pm $36 (series $99)

There are still openings remaining at this time.

Instructor: Wendy Evans

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