Fall 2024
Join the Arts Council for another arts lecture series that will dive into art and the lives of the best artists in history, in addition to other artistically interesting topics.
THROUGH ARTISTS’ EYES: How Artists Generated Public Support for the Creation of National Parks
DATE CHOICES: October 30 (5:30p) OR October 31 (10a)
Frederick Church’s “The Natural Bridge, Virginia, 1852”
Artist George Caitlin first conceived the idea of a national park in 1832 as he traveled the American interior to paint portraits of the indigenous peoples. Landscape paintings and photographs, including works by Hudson River School artists Thomas Cole and Frederick Church and early landscape photographer Carlton Watkins, captured the grandeur of the west captivating audiences at a time when travel was limited. As these artists’ appreciation for vast unspoiled nature grew, their art inspired a groundswell of support for a national park system. Today we enjoy 63 national parks in addition to countless national historic parks and national scenic trails celebrating America’s best idea; preserving and protecting our natural and cultural heritage, “…by some great protecting policy of government…a magnificent park…A nation’s park, containing man and beast, in all the wild[ness] and freshness of their natural beauty!” ~George Caitlin
LECTURER: Ellen Burke is an arts educator with 37 years of experience as a studio art instructor and fine and performing arts administrator. In addition to teaching in Massachusetts, she was an adjunct instructor in art education at the New Hampshire Art Institute. Since moving to Pinehurst, she has presented art lectures at local galleries and teaches small group art lessons to children and adults.
RUSSIAN LOOTING OF UKRAINE: Purposeful Destruction of a Culture
DATE CHOICES: November 7 (5:30p) OR November 8 (10a)
Kherson Regionial Museum – One of the places looted by the Russians
History is full of examples of accidental and purposeful theft of cultural artifacts—the Romans, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and WWII—just to name a few instances. We tend to hope that in the 21st century we do not have examples of the type of barbarism exhibited during WWII. Russia’s invasion of the Crimean Peninsula, and then the remainder of Ukraine, is a 21st century example of purposeful destruction of cultural treasures. This lecture will explore what the Russians are doing and why.
LECTURER: Abbe Allen is a professor of history, political science, and art history at Sandhills Community College. Prior to moving to Whispering Pines, she was an adjunct instructor in the humanities at Columbus State Community College and a docent at the Columbus Museum of Art. Abbe earned her Bachelor of Arts from Miami University. She earned two Master of Arts degrees from The Ohio State University and one Master of Arts from Ohio University.
COST PER LECTURE: $26 for Arts Council Members | $32 for Nonmembers
Space is limited. All lectures will be presented in Arts Council Galleries
at Campbell House (482 East Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines)
Reserve your space now with full payment at the Arts Council or call 910-692-2787