Presentations
Art made approachable
Explore the people, ideas, and stories behind art through engaging 60-minute presentations. Each presentation focuses on an artist, period, or theme, with time for questions and conversation along the way.
Choose from our presentation topics, or request a custom presentation for your group.
Topics
Choose from our standard presentation topics, or reach out to create something custom for your group.
The (brief) story of modern art
Explore the major ideas, movements, and artists that shaped modern art from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. We trace how artists responded to a changing world by challenging traditions, experimenting with new materials and techniques, and finding new ways to represent modern life.
From Paul Cézanne to Frida Kahlo, this overview of modern art examines the innovations and shifting perspectives that defined one of the most influential periods in art.
Image: Paul Cézanne, Still Life with Apples and Peaches, c. 1905. National Gallery of Art, Washington.
American art after World War II
Explore the bold new directions American art took after World War II. This presentation looks at the remarkable range of art that emerged during this period, including Pop, Minimalism, and Conceptual art. Together, these movements challenged long-held ideas about the role of the artist, the nature of the art object, and what art could be.
Impressionism: changing the way we see art
This presentation offers an overview of Impressionism and its influence on modern art. We look at how artists explored modern life through loose brushwork and a new interest in light and color, then pushed those ideas further through Neo-Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.
Along the way, we see how new approaches to color, light, and expression changed the way artists made—and viewers experienced—art.
Image: Claude Monet, Grainstacks: Snow Effect, 1891. National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Understanding contemporary art
Contemporary art can be surprising, thought-provoking, and full of new ideas. This presentation explores art made since the 1960s, looking at the ideas, questions, and history behind it.
We’ll look at some of the ways contemporary artists challenge ideas about what art can be and how it can be made. Along the way, you’ll develop practical tools for looking at this era of art with confidence.
Image: Michelle Mackey, Forever Now, detail, 2017. Courtesy of the artist.
Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico
Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings of the New Mexico desert and its distinctive forms are among her most iconic works. This talk explores how O’Keeffe made her way to New Mexico and what she found and loved once she arrived. We’ll focus on her paintings of Ghost Ranch, as well as the many works inspired by her beloved home in Abiquiú and its surroundings.
Image: Balthazar Korab Studios, 1965. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC-DIG-ppmsca-72243.
Ready to plan a presentation?
Tell us about your group, event, and which topic you'd like. We’ll follow up with pricing and next steps.
Who we work with
Our presentations are designed for groups that want an engaging way to learn about art, including:
Libraries
Senior communities
Book clubs
Community organizations
Faith communities
Details & pricing
Our 60-minute presentations focus on a specific artist, period, or theme. Choose a topic from our presentation library, or work with us to develop a custom presentation on a topic of your choice.
Standard presentation — $350*
An established topic from our presentation library
Custom presentation — $550*
An original presentation developed around a topic of your choice
*Presentations are available for groups of up to 30 participants. Travel fees may apply outside Dallas–Fort Worth. Planning for more than 30 participants? Contact us to discuss your group.
Custom presentations
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Request a custom presentation developed for your group, with original research and content tailored to your interests.
This option is perfect for exploring the Italian Baroque with your book club, or getting a primer on Monet before a major exhibition.
Why you’ll love learning with us
Storytelling that brings art to life
The web of people, places, and events surrounding an artwork are often the stuff of novels. The context we share makes art more relatable and meaningful.
Expertise you can trust
Your presenter has 20+ years of experience as a museum educator and university art history lecturer, with extensive knowledge of art and the museums of Dallas–Fort Worth.
A fresh perspective on art
We’ll help you see art in new ways, notice details you might otherwise miss, and make connections that deepen your understanding and appreciation.
“Erin made the art approachable. Our group got deeper understanding of the subject and a lively conversation that continued long after the presentation.”
— Rebecca, Dallas, TX