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"I am completely smitten with the Lunch with Books patrons...who welcomed me like a long-lost cousin. It takes two to have a successful reading: an enthusiastic presenter and an engaged audience, and boy did the stars align for us." -Marie Manilla, Still Life with Plums

"Lunch With Books is an outstanding program -- one of the best in the country." -NPR Journalist Matthew Algeo, The President is a Sick Man


"With a new book in hand, I’ve visited a lot of libraries lately, and I think the Ohio County Public Library is my all-time favorite. People are kind and welcoming, and deeply appreciate a visiting writer." -Jaimy Gordon, Lord of Misrule (National Book Award)

“I wanted the book launch to be at Lunch With Books because it is the best library book program in West Virginia and because Wheeling and the Wheeling area was centrally involved in so many of the firsts in West Virginia sports.” –Bob Barnett, Hillside Fields: A History of Sports in West Virginia

This blog is being discontinued.

This blog is being discontinued.
Please visit: www.ohiocountylibrary.org/calendar

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Art History at People's University

People’s University Offering Art History Classes

The Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling will offer a free three-part series on Art History and Appreciation through its People’s University program. The classes will meet on successive Tuesday evenings at 7 PM, beginning February 12 and will cover the major periods of art and architecture from Romanesque through cubism.

“Art history offers us a visual record of our human history,” said Ellen Culler, art educator for Ohio County Schools and instructor for the series.  “The purpose of this Art History beginner’s class is to touch on the highlights of the different eras of history through art exploration.”

According to Culler (who also teaches art at Wheeling Jesuit University), participants will be taken on a brisk walking tour of cultures and countries throughout the world, exploring art and architecture through a variety of periods of history. They will explore the interesting facts, beautiful objects, and vocabulary that art history offers. 

The series will begin with the Romanesque Period 1000 Ad – 1150AD, which reflected the Roman influence in the building of churches. This was an intense period that saw the invention of the “barrel vault,” allowing churches to become cathedrals.  Sculptures became an integral part of architecture during this time and carvings were elongated.

The Gothic Period 1140-1400, featured the “gothic” arch, which allowed cathedrals to soar to great heights and the new technology of stained glass adorned the buildings. Much of the art work was based on Christian religion.

The Golden Age of Florence was termed the Renaissance (1400-1520). The artists of this time took many of the principles developed by the Greeks and their “classic” style. It was the age of Humanism.   Money was lavishly spent by the wealthiest family, the Medici’s, to beautify their Republic by some of the world’s most well-known and remembered artists, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael and Botticelli. Humanistic features were becoming evident in art. These Great artists set the stage for so many artists to follow, making it acceptable to be an “artist.”

From 1590-1750 the Baroque period developed almost as a reaction to Renaissance art. It was meant to appeal to the viewer’s emotions. Many magnificent artists came out of this period, including Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Velazquez and Caravaggio.

Rococo Art (1700-1800) refers to the decorative arts in the time of Louis XV of France. Designs were of nature reflecting plants, shells, and flowers. Many people view this period as a “visual gluttony,” referring to the excessive use of ornament in the decorative arts.

Finally, the series will cover the “Isms,” including Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Art Nouveau, Post Impressionism, Expressionism, and Cubism. During the late 1800 – early 1900s, styles seemed to swing back and forth from naturalistic (romantic) to classical (restrained) and back to naturalistic. The best American painters were still being trained in Europe.

The People’s University was created based on the philosophy that public libraries are meant to be sanctuaries of free learning for all people. It is a free program for adults who wish to continue their education in the liberal arts. The People’s University features courses — taught by experts in each subject — that enable patrons to pursue their goal of lifelong learning in classic subjects such as art, history, philosophy, literature, and government.

Please call the library at 304-232-0244 to RSVP for the People’s University, Arts History series.

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Top Ten Lunch With Books Programs

Program; Presenter; Attendance; Date

1. SAENGERFEST; Eintracht German Singing Society; 200; 07-17-10

2. A Lucky Child; Auschwitz Survivor Judge Thomas Buergenthal; 198; 03-04-11

3. Fashion Show; Civil War 150; 194; 11-20-11

4. Ruanaidh; Art Rooney, Jr. and Jim O'Brien; 168; 06-15-10

5. Follow the River; James Alexander Thom; 160; 06-05-08

6. Warwood Memories; 157; 12-18-12

7. The Quiet Man Pub Reading; 150; 08-30-12

8. Wheeling Then and Now; Sean Duffy; 146; 09-07-10

9. Bloch Brother Tobacco; Stuart Bloch; 131; 04-27-10

10. Reasons to Believe; Dr. Scott Hahn; 126; 08-21-07

Book Discussion Groups

The Ohio County Public Library facilitates book discussion groups for both young adults and adults. Currently, the OCPL offers two adult groups, which meet on the first Monday and third Thursday of each month.

In addition to its own growing collection, the OCPL has access to the book discussion collection of the West Virginia Library Commission.

To join or form a book discussion group, or for more information, please call 304-232-0244.

Meeting of the Minds Philosophy Group

The Meeting of the Minds Philosophic Inquiry Forum is facilitated by David Weimer. The group meets virtually every Tuesday at 6 PM. Call the library for meeting room locations.

For more information, visit www.firstknowthyself.org/m&mphilosophy.htm or contact group organizer, David Weimer, at 740 526-0985 or by email at dwwweimer@comcast.net..