Previous Art Talks
Many of Lyme Art Association’s art talks are recorded and uploaded for viewing here on our website or on our YouTube channel. To watch a video, click on an art talk’s image to open the video link.
2025
May 10, 2025 - Presenter: Bob Potter
Bob Potter Art Talk: Picasso’s Portraits of Women: The Artist and His Muses
In a wide range of visual images, revealing videos, and profiles of the artist and the women who would inspire these iconic paintings, this lecture presented by Bob Potter will explore the art of Pablo Picasso and his portraits of women.
Throughout his life, the subject of women would be one of the most enduring and transformative inspirations for Picasso’s art. From lyrical drawings and sensitive portraits to bold transformations in paint and composition, he would endlessly explore the beauty and mystery of the female face and form. The women who would pose for Picasso would be lovers and wives and each a passionate muse. Sometimes, the relationship between artist and model would be cruel and destructive yet together they would transform modern art in the 20th century.
No video of lecture available.
April 5, 2025 - Presenter: Bob Potter
Bob Potter Art Talk: Georgia O’Keeffe: From New York to New Mexico
In a wide range of visual images, revealing profile of the artist, and videos of the artist, Georgia O’Keefe discussing her work, this lecture, presented by Bob Potter, will explore the art of Georgia O’Keeffe and her enduring legacy as one of the leading women of modern art in the 20th century.
The American West has inspired artists for centuries with its natural beauty and majestic landscapes. In the early 20th century, Georgia O’Keeffe will begin her journey West starting in New York City and a passionate love affair with ground breaking photographer and modern art gallery owner Alfred Steiglitz. Restless to leave the urban landscape behind, she goes West to paint her unique new visions of the Southwest around Taos, New Mexico creating what have become some of the most iconic paintings in modern art of landscapes, nature and found objects.
No video of lecture available.
March 1, 2025 - Presenter: David Oat
Colonial Gravestones & The Stories They Tell
On March 1, the Lyme Art Association hosted an art talk with David Oat, where attendees learned about colonial gravestones and the stories they tell.
A native of Southeastern Connecticut, David Oat is the cemetery and burial grounds historian for the Norwich Historical Society and board member for the Connecticut Gravestones Network. Researching New England’s Colonial burial grounds has been his passion for many years. “I’m fascinated by the art, spirituality and human history of these sacred places. Colonial burial grounds are actually outdoor museums reflecting New England’s early Colonial history. Each headstone represents the handiwork of an individual craftsman. Explore these places and you will find art, genealogy, our countries first sculpture and a chronology of Puritan religious beliefs.” David has consulted with many local organizations interested in the preservation of local Colonial burial grounds or restoration of their hand cut monuments.
No video of lecture available.
February 1, 2025 - Presenters: Mike Laiuppa & Brian McClear
Mike Laiuppa and Brian McClear Art Talk: Photography Talk for Artists
January 25, 2025 - Presenter: Bob Potter
Wondrous Strange - The Wyeths N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth and Jamie Wyeth
From the swashbuckling illustrations of N.C. Wyeth for Treasure Island, Kidnapped and other classics, followed by Andrew Wyeth’s elegiac paintings of the landscapes and people of rural Pennsylvania and seacoast Maine, and continuing with Jamie Wyeth in his portraits of both the famous as well as the people and places in his personal life, this art talk presented by art historian, Bob Potter, explored their iconic paintings with biographical details of their lives and revealing videos in which Andrew and Jamie Wyeth discuss what has inspires their artistic visions as they continued the legacy of this singular family of American artists.
No video of lecture available.
2024
October 5, 2024 - Presenter: Wendy Swain
Huntingtons & Their Contributions to the Arts
On Saturday, October 5th at the Lyme Art Association Wendy Swain gave an art talk about The Huntingtons and their Contributions to the Arts. Anna Hyat Huntington and Archer Milton Huntington were a power couple in every sense of the word. They had strong art backgrounds before they joined together as a married couple. Anna was the prolific and wonderful sculptor of animals and Archer, the founder of the Hispanic Society of America. This presentation was an exploration and celebration of their lives alone and then together.
No video of lecture available.
September 14, 2024 - Presenter: Nancy Gladwell
Van Gogh
On Saturday, September 14th at the Lyme Art Association, pastel and multimedia artist Nancy Gladwell presented an art talk on the influential Post-Impressionist Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh.
No video of lecture available.
August 24, 2024 - Presenter: Illeana Douglas
Connecticut in the Movies Art Talk & Book Signing
On August 24, Lyme Art Association hosted an art talk and book signing with Illeana Douglas, actress, film historian and the author of “Connecticut in the Movies”, a book about the portrayal of Connecticut in film and the 200 movies filmed right here in the Nutmeg state. Attendees learned how Connecticut is viewed through the camera lens and how these movie portrayals shape one’s perception of the state, plus discover real life locales that were used in the movies. During the art talk, Illeana read excerpts and signed copies of her book, “Connecticut in the Movies”.
No video of lecture available.
May 4, 2024 - Presenter: Marek Sarba
Stories of the Sea Art Talk
As a seaman, Marek Sarba, learned the ways of the sea. And as a painter, he has captured all of its emotional depths and its powerful effects on the people who make their living working along its shores and on its waters. Marek spoke and took listeners on a seafaring journey through his stories and art.
No video of lecture available.
February 22, 2024 - Presenter: Felicia Feldman
Fill the Soul with Art Lunchtime Art Talk
Artists’ souls were filled with creative techniques and renewed inspiration for their art practice when they joined us on February 22 at the Lyme Art Association for an art talk with Felicia Feldman. Through a pictorial Presentation, Felicia shared her art process, materials and techniques for creating her works, including her breathtaking pet portraits. The time ended with a moment Q&A from attendees.
No video of lecture available.
February 11, 2024 - Presenter: Howard Park
Sailing the Globe
On February 11, attendees enjoyed an adventure in sailing and art with LAA Elected Artist and sailor, Howard Park, who presented a wonderful art talk about sailing. Through paintings, photos, and stories, Howard recreated for visitors his 31,000 mile trip around the world in his lovingly restored sailboat, COMET, a 1946 Sparkman & Stephens 52’ yawl. This event was offered at no charge in partnership with the Niantic Bay Sailing Academy.
No video of lecture available.
2023
December 17, 2023 - Presenter: Tula Telfair
A Conversation With Artists For Artists
Lyme Art Association was proud to welcome back Tula Telfair for the art talk, A Conversation with Artists for Artists. The audience engaged in a stimulating conversation about art with Tula Telfair, artist and professor of art at Wesleyan University.
No video of lecture available.
December 9, 2023 - Presenter: Bob Potter
The Gilded Age, Charles Platt & the American Impressionists in Old Lyme
This art talk explored in paintings and biographical detail the American Impressionists of the Gilded Age, the Old Lyme Art colony and how Charles Platt reflected this world in his garden and architectural designs and the creation of a “place for art” at the Lyme Art Association.
No video of lecture available.
April 23, 2023 - Presenter: Paul Baldassini
Routes to Bloom
During his presentation the floral painter, Paul Baldassini, offered his thoughts on the art of floral painting and shared the methods he uses to bring his blooms to life.
No video of lecture available.
April 16, 2023 - Presenter: Kimberly Monson
Sculpture Art Talk & Demo
During an interactive presentation, sculptor Kimberly Monson spoke about her art process while making a sculpture before her viewers’ eyes. Attendees observed Kimberly as she applied clay to an armature and shaped it into a figure.
No video of lecture available.
March 26, 2023 - Presenter: Harley Bartlett
Enlarged Art (Trompe L'oeil Murals)
During his presentation, Harley Bartlett spoke on the creative process and the design challenges of painting and installing murals for businesses, restaurants and churches, while sharing stories and images from his various mural work experiences.
January 29, 2023 - Presenter: Wendy Swain
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Frederick Law Olmsted
Through slides and historical information, Wendy Swain brought to life the amazing story of Frederick Law Olmsted, Renaissance man and the first landscape architect in America. Farmer, horticulturist, journalist, abolitionist, park creator, sanitation engineer, gold mine manager, etc., Frederick Law Olmsted dabbled in many careers before becoming proficient in a few. And one of those amazing jobs was being one of the landscape designers of New York City’s Central Park.
No video of lecture available.
2022
December 15, 2022 - Presenter: Tula Telfair
Invented Landscapes
Landscape painter, Tula Telfair, is an artist whose imaginative paintings evoke the power and beauty of the natural world. During her art talk, Tula speaks on her influences and her studio practice for making her monumental paintings.
For Tula, the format of landscape painting describes an ideal space, a scene that a viewer might step into to escape or explore. Tula’s large-scale works push the boundaries of this genre by inventing and redefining landscape as a timeless memory.
December 8, 2022 - Presenter: Mike Eagle
Artist as Illustrator
Mike Eagle discusses his work, his influences and process working as an art illustrator.
October 13, 2022 - Presenter: Judy Perry
The Art of Healing
About the Artist: “My formal training began more than 40 years ago studying Fine Art and Special Education at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Upon moving to Old Saybrook, Connecticut in 1996 I began painting professionally, building my reputation as a working artist focusing on emotional paintings of faces. See example, Lillian. A near fatal head-on automobile collision with a drunk driver in 2009 left me with an uncertain future. Among my numerous injuries was a traumatic brain injury that included memory loss, impacting my painting abilities. Art therapy became part of my rehabilitation program and during this talk I will share how art has healed me in many ways. See example All In Pieces.” – Judy Perry
July 14, 2022 - Presenter: Marek Sarba
Art of the Sea
Marek Sarba discusses his maritime artwork, including his piece, “And the Band Played On,” his painting in homage to the Titanic.
March 2022 - Presenter: Bob Potter
The Art of America: How Great American Artists Revealed A New Country and Its People
No video of lecture available.
2021
December 2, 2021 - Presenter: Polly Seip
Nocturnes
November 18, 2021 - Presenter: Jim Laurino
Plein Air – The Artists View
October 14, 2021 - Presenter: Rick Daskam
Monhegan Island and the Treetop Gang
September 30, 2021: Presenter - Zufar Bikbov
The Golden Age of Russian Art
Zufar gives an overview of the Golden Age of Russian art, which peaked in the second half of the 19th century with a movement called the Wanderers, and provided a foundation for Russian Impressionism of the 20th century during Soviet time, as well as the overall Russian school of painting