Dog Ears Bookstore is once again offering a free Literary & Art Program for senior citizens. Those 55 years and older are invited to participate in the “Around The World & Back Home Again” Literary & Art Program that explores different countries around the world and their authors, artists and culture, as well as local authors, poets and artists.
On Wednesday, July 20 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., a literary instructor will introduce participants to the works of local author Tim Bohen and poet Marjorie Norris. During an interactive session, Bohen will be on hand to talk about his book “Against The Grain: The History of Buffalo’s First Ward.” Poems by Norris will also be read and discussed.
Following the literary discussion, the Burchfield Penney Art Center will be on hand to guide participants in an art project and exploration of a local artist and their work. Nancy Spector, a graduate of the Chicago Institute of Art and former Associate Curator of Education, is a local artist who uses Instagram images as inspiration for colored pencil works. Spector will introduce participants to the work of Valentino Dixon, a Buffalo artist who was wrongly incarcerated for 28 years from the age of 19. He became an accomplished colored pencil artist with Michelle Obama recently purchasing one of his drawings. Participants will create their own colored pencil landscape drawing.
On Wednesday, Aug. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., a literary instructor will introduce participants to the works of local author and poet Sinead Tyrone. During an interactive session, Tyrone will be on hand to talk about her literary works which include Walking Through The Mist, Crossing The Lough Between and Playing Each Other Home, and take readers on imaginary travels to Ireland. She has also written collections of poetry including Fragility and A Song of Ireland.
Following the literary discussion, the Burchfield Penney Art Center will be on hand to guide participants in an art project and exploration of a local artist and their work. After a 36-year teaching career, University at Buffalo and Canisius College graduate Mary Kozub has served as Director of Education at Burchfield Penney Art Center since 2008. Kozub will introduce participants to the work of Donald Robertson. Robertson (1925-1984) was a painter, printmaker and educator primarily known for his Optical Art acrylic paintings and prints. He served for many years as chairman of the Department of Art at the University at Buffalo where he taught painting and printmaking, and his work has been shown throughout the country including at the Burchfield Penney Art Center and Albright Knox Art Gallery. Kozub will guide participants in making their own hard-edged painting in line with Roberstson’s style.
On Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. the focus shifts to a foreign country – Britain! A literary instructor will explore the works of British author C.S. Lewis and the poetry of William Shakespeare. Various works from the authors will be read, discussed and reflected on.
Following the literary discussion, a local artist will explore the Arts & Crafts Movement. Participants will learn about Art Nouveau and will create their own Art Nouveau-themed decoupage vase.
The program is limited to 15 participants per session and is completely free for senior citizens. All class materials are provided. In addition, a book of the highlighted authors’ work will be raffled off among those in attendance.
The program will be held at Dog Ears Bookstore, which is located at 688 Abbott Road, Buffalo, near Mercy Hospital. Street parking is available along Abbott Road and on surrounding side streets. The café will be open for food and beverage purchases.
Pre-registration is required for each session and can be made by calling the bookstore at (716) 823-2665. Participants are expected to stay for both the literary and art portion of each program.
The “Around The World & Back Home Again” Literary & Art Program is a monthly series that features different countries and its authors and artists as well as local artists, authors and poets. The program is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Services Inc.
