Lee Miller c.1930. Image courtesy of Telimage
LEE MILLER

“Other people tend to value the way you value yourself.”
 
Lee Miller came of age in the 1920s when the collision of photography and Surrealism provided the perfect platform for her ambitions to develop. As model, photographer, and journalist, she became an essential part of that artistic collision, while confronting the gender bias of her day and going on to influence a generation of artists.
 
"It is difficult to think of another woman who has had such a far-reaching impact on a group of artists and their work.  We see Miller’s image and influence as interpreted by others, and then see the source of that power in her own creative vision.  Miller’s legacy is all the more compelling because she made her presence felt at a time when women were still struggling for equal rights."— Deborah Gribbon, director of the J. Paul Getty Museum [2003]
 
Miller was born in 1907, in Poughkeepsie, New York. Expulsions from a number of schools disrupted her early education; patterns of change that were to regularly punctuate her personal and professional life. In 1925, aged eighteen, she spend a year studying theatre production in Paris. Back in New York the following year, after a chance encounter with Vogue owner Condé Naste, Miller began a brief professional modelling career. Suddenly she found herself a—reluctant—fixture on the New York social scene. “I looked like an angel,” she said, “but I was a fiend inside.”
 
Turning away from modelling in 1929—"I would rather take a photograph than be one.”—Miller returned to Paris to work with American Surrealist artist and photographer Man Ray. She started her own studio and worked closely with Ray, as his muse and assistant but also as his key creative collaborator on many innovative and experimental art projects. Together, they pushed the boundaries of photography, making significant contributions to the Surrealist movement as they did so. Miller returned to New York in 1932 to set up a new commercial studio.
 
While living in England during World War Two, Miller became the official war photographer for Vogue, documenting the nightly attacks on London. In 1944, she landed in France less than a month after D-Day, traveling with the US Army as the only female combat photographer in Europe.
 
She photographed eyewitness accounts of the liberation of Europe with an economy and honesty rarely seen. Her artistic and commercial experiences combined to give her work character and authority. Whether of ranks of people cheering at her, or close-ups of exhausted prisoners looking through her, her images delivered a persuasive authenticity to the viewer. She described her approach to taking photographs as a matter of “getting out on a damn limb and sawing it off behind you.”
 
After the war, Miller continued to work for Vogue, covering fashion and celebrity, but struggled to adapt back to a peacetime life, suffering depression and turning to alcohol for comfort. She found pleasure by reinventing herself as a Surrealist chef, but although her friends—many of the great artists of the day, including Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, Max Ernst, Joan Miró, Leonora Carrington, Henry Moore, Eileen Agar, and Dorothea Tanning—visited her home in southern England, her artistic career was largely put to one side.
 
Perhaps because of this continuing need to move on and not dwell on the past, it was only after her death—in 1977 when her private archive was found and gradually made public—that it became possible to reassess her work and reestablish her reputation as one of the most remarkable photographers of the twentieth century.





'The Lives Of Lee Miller'
[Video courtesy of Netropolitan Artsconversations]
VISUAL ARTS





Three Thursdays
Introduction to Drawing
With Craig Caldwell
Beginning April 1 from 6–9pm

This class is designed for the beginning drawer who appreciates art and has always wanted to learn to draw as well as for those looking for a refresher course. Instruction will cover the fundamentals of free-hand drawing: line, perspective, composition, understanding light and form, as well as creating illusions of depth, contrast, and texture. Different drawing material, techniques, and methods will be explored. Open to all levels of experience.

$95 – Member, $115 – Non-member

Socially distanced – mask required






Three Saturdays beginning April 3
Painting Ocean Waves
With Livia Mosanu
From 1–3pm
(No class on 4/17)

Have you ever wondered how someone produces such realistic ocean waves in their paintings? In this class, you will learn how to capture lifelike ocean waves using oil paints. Photo references will be provided, or you can bring your own. This is the perfect opportunity to practice oil painting techniques such as glazes and impasto while learning how to paint water and foam. We will start the class by talking about the “anatomy” of a wave.

$80 – Member, $90 – Non-member






Three Saturdays beginning April 3
Intro to Portrait Drawing & Painting
With Livia Mosanu
From 10am–noon
(No class on 4/17)

Learn to paint realistic portraits from photo references. These references will be provided in digital format (both photo and Old Master Copy) to use for the duration of the course as you paint in the comfort of your home studio. Alternatively, you may use your own photo reference, as approved by the instructor. We will start the class by drawing and carefully observing proportions, the anatomy of the face and skull, along with light and shadow patterns. Time will be spent drawing and learning the structure of each individual feature - ears, nose, eyes, mouth.

$80 – Member, $90 – Non-member






Five Wednesdays beginning April 7
Kitchen Table Clay
With Holly Heaslip
From 10–11:30am

Yes, you can do pottery at home on your kitchen table or really anywhere! With just a few inexpensive everyday items and your own two hands as your primary tools, you will make a mug, bowl, and other simple pottery pieces and have plenty of fun doing it. Any tools you don’t already have in your home or garage are easy to find at a craft or hardware store. Clay really isn’t very messy and will wash off of any surface easily! Safe pickup of your clay at the Cultural Center will be from 12-5pm on the Tuesday before your first Wednesday morning class. Please note that in order to have the clay prepared, registration will close at noon on the Sunday prior to the start of class.

$105 – Member, $125 – Non–member






Six Wednesdays beginning April 7
The Potter's Wheel for Beginners
With Holly Heaslip
From 1:30–4pm

Have you ever been mesmerized while watching a pot being made on the wheel? Want to give it a try? All that’s needed is a playful attitude and patience! In this class we will cover the basics of making pottery on the wheel: wedging, trimming, glazing, and firing. You will gain an understanding of the process, equipment involved, and the magical material called “clay.” Come start a new chapter in your creative life! Demonstrations, individualized instruction and plenty of hands on time round out our class. Books, handouts and examples of pottery will be available to reinforce lessons. All tools, materials, and & firings are provided.

$210 – Member, $250 – Non-member

Socially distanced – mask required






Four Tuesdays beginning April 6
Fooling Around with the Masters – Pastel Painting
With Betsy Payne Cook
From 2–4:30pm

The Masters of Art History gave us beautiful work to experience … and great inspiration for work of our own. Have you ever looked at an old master painting and envisioned it in a more contemporary setting? Do you think it would be a fun challenge to replicate that image? Maybe alter the color palette or merge multiple paintings? This class will begin with ways to jumpstart creative options. Once a master painting is chosen, we will look at ways to merge your vision with the original master’s work. This class is not intended as a lesson in forgery but a way to be inspired, intrigued and engaged in new, exciting ways. Come have fun and see if you can fool the viewer with your copy or your reinvented masterpiece!

$100 – Member, $110 – Non-member






Friday, April 9
From 10am–4pm
The Art Journal Workshop
With Lenore Lyons

This class will provide an overview of art journaling and the many ways to document life. Students will socialize safely while playing with all sorts of art supplies, some familiar and some that are new and fun, to discover things they really like. We will look at lettering of various sizes and styles to convey a message, including secret writing (sometimes you need that kind of thing) … and we’ll create backgrounds with color and texture and learn interesting and easy ways to add images. It is freeing and fun to experiment with color and layering; any "mistake" can be altered or covered. Everyone will keep a record of their projects so they can recreate the activities at home. No art experience or drawing ability is necessary at all! New skills and techniques will be added in easy progression.

$150 – Member, $160 – Non-member

Socially distanced – mask required






Six Fridays beginning April 9
Acrylic Jump Starter
With Odin Smith
From 2–4pm

Have fun with a series of exercises designed to increase creativity and help students add emotional content to your acrylic work. There should be no limits to your imagination. Be prepared to do different painting exercises that will stretch your imagination and thought process to raise you to new levels of achievement. If you have been feeling like you need a jump start to get back to painting, this is the class for you! Have your supplies ready so we can jump in right away, starting with a critique of any work you need advice about before next steps.

$150 – Member, $180 – Non-member






Six Saturdays beginning April 10
Simply By Hand
With Holly Heaslip
From 9:30–11:30am

All levels of students will be accommodated according to their skill levels. Students will learn coil, slab, and pinch methods to make every day functional ware for the table, home, and garden. Beginners will learn basic techniques, while more advanced students will use them as a stepping point from which to progress into new territory. All tools, materials, and firings are included.

$170 – Member, $185 – Non-member

Socially distanced – mask required

LIVE! STREAM





Saturday, March 27 at 7pm
From The Beatles to Stevie Wonder
With Guitarist Gregg Sullivan

Don’t miss this chance to hear versatile guitarist and veteran sideman Gregg Sullivan performing this solo concert of music by great artists including The Beatles, Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Jerry Reed, and many more!

He has toured throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe playing at legendary venues including The Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and B.B. King's in NYC, The Fillmore in San Francisco, and The Toronto Jazz Festival.

The performance is free, but donations are encouraged and will benefit the musicians and the Cultural Center's ongoing programming that promotes live music in our community.

DIY





Wednesday, March 24
From 6–7:30pm
Boomer Gardens Lecture
With Priscilla Husband

Gardens for an Aging Generation. Has your enthusiasm for gardening been discouraged by physical limitations? As we age, our gardens become harder to maintain. Let’s find a way to enjoy our gardens again with a new perspective and reality. We’ll talk about downsizing our garden properties for the future, plus tips and ideas for simpler gardens for our health and enjoyment. Please bring a notebook and pen to take notes.

$25 – Member, $30 – Non-Member

Socially distanced, mask required for on-site participants.






Wednesday, March 31
From 6–7:30pm
Gardening 101 Lecture
With Priscilla Husband

It may still be cold outside, but getting ready for spring warms the heart and the hands … and lays the groundwork (literally) for a great garden. This presentation by master gardener Priscilla Husband is the latest in a series of condensed and comprehensive conversations on all aspects of landscape gardening. Topics will include planting, pruning, design, and maintenance: everything the aspiring gardener needs to hit the ground running.

$25 – Member, $30 – Non-member

Socially distanced, mask required for on-site participants.






Five Fridays beginning April 2
Aran Style Knitting
With Kirsten West
From 10am–noon

Beautifully patterned Aran Knitting, named after the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland from County Galway and County Clare, is often found in socks, hats, vests, scarves, mittens, afghans, pillow covers, and, most commonly, sweaters. In this class, students will learn how to knit various Aran patterns, including Seed Stitch, Moss Stitch, Various Cables, Large Bobble Rib, Hourglass Cable and Bobbles, Honeycomb, Trinity Stitch or Blackberry Stitch, Traveling Lines and Twisted Stitches and Openwork Patterns. Students will also create 12” squares that can be sewn together into an Aran Sampler Afghan. Come learn to create wearable heirlooms rooted in the traditions of the Emerald Isle!

$105 – Member, $125 – Non-member

Socially distanced – mask required






Four Tuesdays beginning April 6
Great Gardening! A Series of Presentations
With Master Gardener Priscilla Husband
From 10am–noon

Spring has sprung, so carpe diem! Join Priscilla from home for this four-part series of essential elements of gardening.

  • APRIL 6: “Gardening 101” - a comprehensive overview of gardening including the basics of garden design and installation, planting, pruning, and general overall garden maintenance.
  • APRIL 13: “Beautify Your Yard with Ornamental Trees” - chock full of information about how to identify existing trees on your property, new trees for landscape value, best planting practices, maintenance, and a list of trees available for their beauty and benefits to wildlife.
  • APRIL 20: “The 411 on Shrubs” - introducing a variety of flowering shrubs and exploring how to include shrubs in landscape designs and how to plant and maintain them.
  • APRIL 27: “Now & Forever” - a focused approach to the art of gardening with both perennials and annuals, including instruction on how to achieve continuous flowers throughout the seasons, best planting practices, and maintenance.

$105 – Member, $125 – Non-member


Or book separately if you just want to dip in:





Four Wednesdays beginning April 7
Knitting for Beginners: Continental / Scandinavian Methods
With Kirsten West
From 10am–noon

You’ll be amazed at how simple it easy to learn to knit Continental/Scandinavian Style. Students will learn to cast on the Scandinavian way, all while learning various stitches, ribs, and basic techniques. We will read patterns and learn about various fibers that are suitable for hand knitting, and how to care for hand knitted items. Knowing continental knitting will make advanced techniques easier to learn and master. This class is for beginners and refreshers.

$85 – Member, $100 – Non-member

Socially distanced – mask required








Six Thursdays beginning April 8
Woodturning: Mastering the Basics
With Dave Arnone
From 1–3pm

Have you ever seen wooden bowls and wanted to create your own designs for your home or as gifts? Maybe you’ve acquired a lathe and aren’t sure how to use it … or you’re a bit rusty and need a refresher. This class will provide instruction on using the wood lathe, lathe safety, turning tools, project design, and turning wooden bowls from both green and dried wood blanks. The instruction and demonstration portion of this course will be provided virtually, allowing participants to join the sessions from the comfort of their own homes. To aid participants in applying the skills they learn, a “hands on” portion of the course will be provided via one-on-one virtual mentoring for participants who have access to a wood lathe, or via small group, in-person work sessions using the lathes in the Center’s Maker Studio.

$135.00 - Online / Member
$175.00 - In person / Member
$155.00 - Online / Non-member
$200.00 - In person / Non-member

Socially distanced, mask required for on-site participants.

MOVEMENT | MUSIC





Six Thursdays beginning April 8
Tai Chi for Health-Sun Style/Part Two, The Extension Movements
With Holly Heaslip
From 10–11am

This class will be a continuation of new movements added to the original Core Movements, further extending the practice of Sun Style Tai Chi. These movements are called the Extension Movements. Students should be comfortable with the Core Movements from Part One before taking this class. By the end of the six weeks, students will have a full practice and be well on their way to enjoying the many health benefits of practicing Tai Chi. Instructor Holly Heaslip is certified in this program developed by Dr. Paul Lam. Please wear comfortable clothing, appropriate foot wear and bring a water bottle. 






Every Friday from 8:30–9:30am
Yoga for Wise Warriors!
With Lees Yunits

Bringing to mind that yoga is a process that everyone is capable of, Lees teaches yoga to beginners and advanced, to the stressed and to the curious, to retirees, young mothers and fathers, artists, businesswomen and men. Everyone benefits from stretching, breathing and meditating. Joy is the byproduct.

Beginners will be taught basics; more experienced will deepen their knowledge, and all will learn varied ways to enhance their knowing. Lees’s background includes many assorted styles of yoga, including hatha, viniyoga, yin and kundalini. Just as important are the invaluable techniques of breath work. Always there will be some form of meditation, as well, whether simple stillness, or transcendental, counting, mantra singing, or guided. The whole of a yoga session depends on joining body work, breath work, and meditation. Not to mention some humor here and there! Whether fast, or slow, all of Lees’s yoga classes intend to move you forward on your Journey to Joy.

$15.00 – drop-in, $75.00 – 6 weeks

EXHIBITIONS
The Cultural Center will host our next exhibition open house, April 3 from 2–5pm.
CALL FOR ART

We huge thank you Whitten Landscaping for their ongoing support of snow plowing. They have been our partners all winter keeping the Cultural Center safe and accessible.