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OUTING: Guided Tour of Water Street Studios Community Art Center, Batavia
with Bobbie Brown

Co-facilitator: Roger Breisch
Roger Breisch, board member of Water Street Studios, at 160 S. Water Street, Batavia will lead a guided tour of the artists' studios, clay lab, and current gallery exhibitions. Founded in 2019, the facility "Where Creativity lnspires Community," offers art classes, artist studios, a clay lab, gallery exhibitions, and community events.
Activity Level - On Your Feet
Will run
Tataki-Zome, The Art of Pounding Flowers
with Kim Carew

Co-facilitator: Ann Hastert
Tataki-zome, the art of pounding flowers is an ancient Japanese art form. Flowers and leaves provided by nature are used to make beautiful inspired images on various mediums such as cloth or art papers. Using hammers, the natural dyes from the flowers and leaves transfer to the medium. The process is amazingly simple with lovely results.
OUTING: Edith Farnsworth House, Plano, IL Tour
with Mary Hauge

Co-organizer: Beth Johnson
Experience the intersection of architecture and nature at the Edith Farnsworth House! Situated on the banks of the Fox River, Mies van der Rohe’s Edith Farnsworth House is a renowned example of modern architecture and design. Built in 1945 as a weekend retreat for Dr. Edith Farnsworth, the House and grounds offer guests an opportunity to experience history, architecture, and art in a serene setting.
Transportation to the site is on your own. Outing will take place rain or shine. Participants will walk a half mile woodland path along the Fox River (golf cart shuttle available. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for weather. Activity Level - On Your Feet
The Troubled History of the Viet Nam Memorial
with Phyllis Deerinck

Co-facilitator: Karen Christensen
Now holding a sacred place in American consciousness, the Viet Nam Memorial was harshly criticized when its design was first proposed by a very young Maya Lin. Reviled as "a scar of shame," the memorial was seen by its critics as too conventional. How could those prominent writers, including Tom Wolfe and Pat Buchanan, have so deeply misunderstood the purpose and power of the design of this great and profound work of art? Participants will share personal experience of the Wall, evaluate its current place in our cultural heritage, examine the history of its making and of its designer and examine the underlying principles of how public art, and the Memorial itself, "speaks" to us.
Will run
Classic Film Celebrations: "The General" Buster Keaton
with Olive Poliks

Why has this film remained a cinematic milestone? It is considered by many film historians as one of the best movies of its time. "The General" contains messages that are relevant today. We will compare Buster Keaton and Tom Cruise. How are their films and persona alike and different? "The General" offers massive casting, battle scenes and train wrecks that are works of genius. Participants will view the film in its entirety (90 minutes), then watch it once more, dissecting, discussing and discovering the joy of a Classic Film Celebration.
Will run