The South Arkansas Arts Center will launch the 2024-2025 season of Art Talks with Gay Bechtelheimer on September 5 at 6:30 pm. For the first lecture of the series, Bechtelheimer will take a deeper look at one of her first subjects: painter John Singer Sargent.
When the lecture series began in 2020, Sargent was one of the earliest artists Bechtelheimer shared with her audience, and SAAC patrons have often asked to revisit his work. Rather than repeat the talk in its entirety, Bechtelheimer will take a deeper look at Sargent and his work's place in our larger culture in her September presentation.
"As with all masterpieces, the facts and stories behind them add to their allure," she said. "I cannot think of another artist more suited to our attention than John Singer Sargent, one of the nineteenth century's most brilliant artists. With technical virtuosity and psychological insight, he portrayed the essence of his times. At this lecture, we will experience the trajectory of his career, the personalities of his subjects, and the stories behind their lives."
For the following lectures, scheduled for November 7 and January 16, Bechtelheimer has planned a two-part series on the work of the Post-Impressionist movement, including Vincent Van Gogh, Paul C茅zanne, and Paul Gaugin.
These free, relaxed lectures are intended to present art and art history in an entertaining and enjoyable format to people of all ages and backgrounds. The evening begins with refreshments in the gallery, before Bechtelheimer's presentation from the stage.
The event is free of charge and is presented with open seating. Reservations are encouraged; call 870-862-5474 or visit .