Joint Birmingham Museum/Library Lecture Series to Explore Art and Activism

BIRMINGHAM, MI — A three-part joint lecture series sponsored by the Birmingham Museum and the Baldwin Public Library this fall will focus on the theme of art and activism. The first lecture in the series entitled, “Art and Activism: The Theater” (October 12, 7 p.m. at the Baldwin Library) will feature Jay Kaplan of the ACLU, who will explore how the stage has been a natural place to question authority and make political commentary from as far back as the ancient Greeks.

Kaplan’s presentation on Art and Activism is the first in a three-part series on this timely theme that will take a closer look at the tradition of the arts challenging the status quo and making us think. Three art forms will be featured: theater, music, and the visual arts. All presentations are free to the public and will take place at the Baldwin Public Library in October and November, then at the Birmingham Museum in December.

Kaplan has been the staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan’s LGBT Project since it began operations in 2001. Prior to that he was an attorney with Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, where he initiated an HIV/AIDS legal advocacy program. Outside of work he is involved with both Village Players and Stagecrafters community theatres. He has directed numerous productions including “Side Show,” “Casa Valentina,” “A Catered Affair,” “Seascape,” and “A Man of No Importance.” He will be directing “Act One” at Village Players in March 2018.

On November 9, author-music critic Susan Whitall will discuss “Art and Activism: Music,” (7 p.m. at the Baldwin Library) and on December 14, Birmingham artist Victor Pytko will present his current art exhibition at 7 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum through the perspective of activism in “Arts and Activism: the Visual Arts”.

To find out more, call the Birmingham Museum at 248-530-1928 or visit us online at www.bhamgov.org/museum.

The Birmingham Museum is located at 556 West Maple. Exhibit hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., and until 8:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month. Two hours of free parking is available at the Chester Street Parking Deck; credit card required for entry and exit. For more information, call 248-530-1928 or visit www.bhamgov.org/museum . Museum admission is $7 for adults; $5 for students and seniors. Kids 5 and under and Friends of the Birmingham Museum members are free.

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