The South Arkansas Arts Center will begin a new six-part lecture series, “The New York School,” presented by local artist Gay Bechtelheimer.
Join Bechtelheimer and SAAC staff for a brief reception, followed by an entertaining dive into the context, characters and culture of the Abstract Expressionist movement. Reservations are required for reserved seating.
This six-part lecture series, sponsored by Linda and Louis Hall, will be held on Thursday evenings throughout the fall. The first lecture entitled “Events and Influencers” will be held on August 13 at 6 p.m.
“During the 1940’s, the center of the art world shifted from Paris to New York. Over the course of six discussions, we will survey the events and influencers of this transformation, the associated artists and the art historical movements they inspired,” said Bechtelheimer. “At the first lecture, we will delve into the context of the Abstract Expressionist movement by looking at art and what brings about change in that art form. Is it war? Is it social change? Is it global migration?”
“Looking at art in relationship to its history is a celebratory chronology of the creations of humankind. We acquire a richer understanding of surface, content, thought and influence. When we acquire this knowledge, we are better prepared to draw conclusions and make assessments in either a historical or contemporary context,” she continued.
Bechtelheimer has been a long time art teacher at SAAC and has been instrumental in shaping many children’s, as well as adult’s, art journeys in South Arkansas. She recently served as education coordinator for “Astro Zone”, the Murphy Arts District’s collaboration with Crystal Bridges. Bechtelheimer also had the recent honor of being one of 50 women featured in Erin Wood’s book “Women Make Arkansas”, conversations with female creatives.
In order to keep SAAC and its members as safe as possible, all directives from the Arkansas Department of Health will be followed during the lecture series. Reservations are required to determine assigned seating in the theatre where guests will be seated with plenty of required distancing. Patrons will be temperature checked at the door, and masks are required. Beer and wine will be served in the gallery, where guests can pick up their seating assignments and an individually packaged snack to enjoy during Gay’s presentation.
“We’ve been looking for a safe, creative way to say thank you to our membership. By offering the lecture series free of charge, and observing social distancing requirements, we hope to remind our members just what a wonderful community SAAC is, and how much their support means,” Laura Allen.
For more information on this lecture series or to place a reservation to attend, visit saac-arts.org or call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474. SAAC is located at 110 E. Main St. in El Dorado.