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Zoom Webinar

In the 20th century, it could be extremely dangerous for people of color to travel. Many businesses would not provide service to people of color and would make clear they served "whites only." For nearly 30 years, a guide initially called the "Negro Traveler Green Book" offered advice about safe places to eat and sleep. Victor Hugo Green and later his wife Alma published this guide from 1936-1966. Learn about its role in the struggle for civil rights during this virtual slide presentation by Karen Hall, Executive Director of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society. 

Zoom Webinar

At one time the world's richest man, J. Paul Getty amassed an extensive collection of art and antiquities. 

Originally inspired by the ancient Villa de Papyri, a 30,000 square foot villa on the Bay of Naples in Herculaneum, Getty's home in the Los Angeles area originally displayed such diverse objects as Old Master paintings, French decorative arts, and antique furniture. Today, the home (now called The Getty Villa) has become a state-of-the-art center for the study of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan culture.

The slide lecture features stunning images of Getty Villa architecture, gardens, site and collection highlights. The presentation will reveal the renovations to the original museum as well as the addition of several new elements including a Greek style theater. In addition, the presenter will discuss recent efforts by the Getty to repatriate objects from its collection of antiquities.

Presented by Jeff Mishur, owner of Art Excursions, a company that provides private guiding in Chicago; lectures; and boutique art and culture tours in the United States.

Zoom Webinar

Join us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest movies ever made! Learn about the battles going on behind the scenes between director Francis Ford Coppola and the studio. What did many on the film crew think of the movie they were making (they did NOT think it was a masterpiece!)? We'll have funny and interesting stories about Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and more. This fun and engaging film presentation is definitely an offer you can't refuse!

Presented by retired teacher and film expert Steven Frenzel.

Zoom Webinar

Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina combines the talents of landscape designer Frederick Law Olmstead and architect William Morris Hunt who were collaborating at the very same time on portions of Chicago's 1893 World's Fair. In this slide lecture, art historian Jeff Mishur discusses the history, architecture, and landscape plan of Biltmore Estate. Mishur also makes parallels between the fictitious Downton Abbey and Biltmore (America's largest private home) and between Downton's Crawley family and the real-life family of George and Edith Vanderbilt. 

Presented by Jeff Mishur, co-owner of Art Excursions, Inc.

Zoom Webinar

Ring in the season with style in this wonderfully wintry presentation! Enjoy Jack Benny's hilarious holiday special and sing along with Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, and more stars in favorite Christmas movies. Watch musical clips from classic films including White Christmas, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Holiday Inn.

Presented by retired teacher and film expert, Steven Frenzel.

Zoom Webinar

Famous for his murals at the Harlem branch of the New York Public Library, painted Aaron Douglas blended compelling narratives about Black history and culture with a modernist style. His artwork shows elements of Art Deco style combined with other artistic influences. Art historian Jeff Mishur discusses Douglas and his relationship to the Harlem Renaissance movement during the period between the wars.

Jeff Mishur is co-owner of Art Excursions, Inc. 

Zoom Webinar

Whether he’s a charming American in Paris or Singin’ in the Rain, Gene Kelly is one of the most memorable and beloved actors of all time. His contributions to film – as an actor, dancer, singer, director, producer, and choreographer – are simply unparalled.

Presented by retired teacher and film expert Steven Frenzel.

Zoom Webinar

In the late nineteenth century, Henry Ossawa Tanner became the first Black artist to achieve fame in Europe. Drawing on training he received at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Tanner's early work represented African Americans with dignity and respect. In a speech at the "Congress on Africa" at Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition, he encouraged other artists to do the same and oppose the predominant racial stereotypes of his era. Ultimately Tanner turned toward religious themes and brought a fresh perspective to time-honored Biblical subjects. In this virtual presentation, art historian Jeff Mishur discusses Tanner's artistic journey and places his work within an art historical context.

Mishur is co-owner of Art Excursions, a business providing art-related private guiding, lectures, and small group tours.

Zoom Webinar

Bring on the laughs, courtesy of Jack Benny, one of comedy’s most dazzling and groundbreaking funny men! This hilarious and informative presentation features a collection of rib-tickling segments from Mr. Benny’s radio, TV shows, and movies, and we’ll also look back to Benny’s youth and hear stories about his rise to fame.

Presented by retired teacher and film expert, Steven Frenzel.

Zoom Webinar

Georgia O'Keeffe was one of the most popular American artists of the 20th century. O'Keeffe painted, drew and sculpted an incredible array of subjects over her long career. She is likely the most famous artist associated with the Santa Fe region. Still misunderstood and misinterpreted even in the 21st century, her work was crucial to the history of modernism in America.

In this program, art historian Jeff Mishur discusses a full range of Georgia O'Keeffe's art, from her daring and innovative abstractions of the 1910s and 1920s to her elegant investigations of various subject matter, such as architecture, landscapes, and flowers.

Zoom Webinar

In this hilarious presentation of some of the funniest women in Hollywood history, we will hear stories of how they had to buck the system in order to stay true to themselves, and we will watch many sidesplitting scenes featuring strong and funny women in the movies. 

Presented by retired teacher and film expert Steven Frenzel.

Zoom Webinar

In this lecture, art historian Jeff Mishur discusses highlights of John Singer Sargent's career as a portraitist, muralist, and plein air painter. Sargent's society portraits gave him the financial freedom to paint diverse subjects and to travel in Italy, England, France and Spain. 

Zoom Webinar

Retired teach and film expert, Steven Frenzel, has put together a delightful program about one of the most beloved films in history. Enjoy fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, historical insights, and wonderful moments that will make people fall in love with this movie all over again.

He'll not only showcase the most popular scenes and musical numbers, he'll also display the words on screen for a sing-along with Do Re Mi, 16 Going on 17, Edelweiss, and more!

Hybrid Event: In-Person Presentation & Zoom Webinar

Join us for an evening with local author William Hazelgrove who is back to discuss Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders and their desire to charge the Germans in World War I.

Books will be available for purchase and signed by the author.

Zoom Webinar

Artist William Morris founded his first decorative arts design firm in 1861. Over the following decades he collaborated with his wife, Jane Burden, along with fellow artists and became a leading contributor to the English Arts and Crafts movement. In this outline presentation, art historian Jeff Mishur discusses works by Morris and his colleagues, including paintings, furniture, stained glass, textiles, and decorative arts.

Hybrid Event: In-Person Presentation & Zoom Webinar

Join us for an evening with local author William Hazelgrove who is back to discuss the art of writing narrative nonfiction. 

Ever since Devil in the White City exploded onto the scene narrative nonfiction has been the hot market for writrers. Having published 13 nonfiction titles, William shows us how to research and develop a story line and then how to pitch the publishers with just a proposoal. 

Books will be available for purchase and signed by the author.

Hybrid Event: In-Person Presentation & Zoom Webinar

Join us for an evening with local author William Hazelgrove who is back to discuss the art of writing fictional novels. 

We all have a novel inside of us. It's that story burning to be told. Hazelgrove tells the secrets and method to get started on that idea and keep at it through the first draft and subsequent revisions. He also covers the "ins-and-outs" of getting published, sharing stories of paperback auctions, movie options, and his first big contract.

Books will be available for purchase and signed by the author.

Hybrid Event: In-Person Presentation & Zoom Webinar

Join us for an evening with local author William Hazelgrove who is back to discuss the art of writing memoirs. 

Did you ever think about writing about your own life? Your own life could be a great story. Novelist William Hazelgrove has written a memoir along with thirteen published novels and can take you from the first draft to rewriting. Learn the technique of Memoir Writing with a professional who has been published with major publishers and knows what it takes to produce a memoir that will sell. Research, plotting, technique, dialog and getting published are covered in this exciting presentation.

Books will be available for purchase and signed by the author.

Hybrid Event: In-Person Presentation & Zoom Webinar

Join us for an evening with local author William Hazelgrove who is back to teach us how to successfully publish a book in this digital age. 

Publishing has changed and publishing has never before been more exciting and more confusing. Should you go traditional? Should you go right to Kindle? How do you get the attention of editors who are overwhelmed with submissions? How hard is it to publish a Kindle book on Amazon? What are the economics of publishing today?  Bestselling Novelist William Hazelgrove answers these questions in more in his seminar on Digital Publishing.

Books will be available for purchase and signed by the author.