Salon at the Benton: Art and Conversation
WHO IS THE REAL SUBJECT OF THE PORTRAIT? SITTER? SOCIETY? ARTIST?
Join the discussion

From the Mona Lisa to “selfies,” this salon will explore the artists’ and sitters’ intent, memorialization, branding, the influence of social trends, and other critical issues in portraiture using works from the Benton’s current exhibition and permanent collection.

5-5:30 pm Cash Bar; light hors d'oeuvres
5:30 pm Discussion commences.
FREE Donations are gratefully accepted.
RSVP appreciated by February 27.
Email benton@uconn.edu or call 860-486-5084.

PANELISTS
Pamela Bramble is Associate Professor of Painting at the University of Connecticut. Her teaching specialties include drawing, painting and art appreciation. Her work is represented in public and private collections and has been reviewed by The New York Times, The Hartford Courant, Hartford Advocate and Art New England.

Michael Bradford is Professor, Head of Dramatic Arts, and Artistic Director of Connecticut Repertory Theatre at UConn. He teaches theater history, dramatic literature and playwriting,is an award-winning playwright, and considered one
of the most promising African American playwrights today. His plays have been produced at various important venues regionally and internationally.

Susan Spiggle is Professor emeritus from the Department of Marketing in the School of Business at UConn. She worked with Alexis Boylan, Guest Curator on the current exhibition The Business of Bodies: Ellen Emmet Rand and the Persuasion of Portraiture exploring how Rand branded herself as an artist. Spiggle has written a chapter in the upcoming book on Rand.

MODERATOR
Veronica Makowsky is Professor of English and Women’s Studies at UConn. Her specialties include 20th- Century American literature (women’s, ethnic, Southern), ethnic American literature (multi-ethnic). She has written several books, most recently The Fiction of Valerie Martin: An Introduction (Louisiana State University Press, 2016).