OMA Book Club
Select Fridays, 2-4pm
Join us for a series of book discussions connecting themes in art and literature to works in the Museum galleries. Each meeting will include a guided gallery experience. Discussion facilitated by David Matteson, Associate Curator of Education & Outreach.
BOOKS
September 7: Ecstasy: A Novel by Mary Sharratt
Set in early 20th century Vienna, this thought-provoking novel chronicles the life of Alma Mahler-Werfel, a gifted composer who challenged gender-bias through her work. When she married successful composer Gustav Mahler in 1902, he prohibited her from creating her own compositions. A cautionary tale of passion, love, creativity, and regret, we’ll connect this story to other women artists included in the Museum’s collection.
October 5: Fashion Climbing: A Memoir with Photographs by Bill Cunningham
For nearly 40 years, Bill Cunningham captured the wild fashions of New York City through his photographic column published in The New York Times. A celebrated designer and visionary, this memoir was kept secret during Cunningham’s lifetime. It tells the story of a man devoted to fashion and originality, often in contradiction to the values of his family. The discussion will be followed by a gallery tour of Nick Cave: Feat.
November 2: The Dinosaur Artist: Obsession, Betrayal, and the Search for the Earth’s Ultimate Treasure by Paige Williams
Discover the true story of a Florida man who attempted to sell a nearly complete Tyrannosaurus skeleton excavated in Mongolia. This recent publication illuminates the business of fossil collecting—questioning the ethical responsibilities of institutions, scientists, dealers, and collectors when preserving artifacts.
January 4: The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes the World by Anthony Brandt & David Eagleman
What drives us to create? This book attempts to answer that question by analyzing acts of significant creation throughout history and connecting them to new neuroscience findings. We will follow our discussion with stories of creativity and curiosity by artist’s in the Museum’s permanent collection.
February 1: Van Gogh’s Ear: The True Story by Bernadette Murphy
An infamous episode, Van Gogh’s self-removal of his ear was a brutal act that occurred at the pinnacle of his madness. But what led to this personal crisis? Author Bernadette Murphy shares her 7-year research journey to discover the truth. We’ll connect our study of this noteworthy post-Impressionist painter to the exhibited work of Louis Dewis.
March 1: Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies by Ross King
Monet’s iconic depictions of water lilies have inspired artists for generations, but few know that they were created during a period of personal turmoil for the artist. Set against the backdrop of WWI, this biography presents a portrait of the artist at the height of his international acclaim while he pursued the preservation of his legacy by founding of his Museum. After our discussion, we will explore the historical impact of WWI on French art in relation to the exhibited works of Louis Dewis.
April 5: Station Eleven: A Novel by Emily St. John Mandel
Program Presented in Partnership with the NEA Big Read & UCF
In the aftermath of a ravaging pandemic, a troupe of actors and musicians struggle to preserve the remnants of the humanities.
Discussion co-led by Dr. Keri Watson, Assistant Professor of Art History, UCF.
PRICE
SEASON PRICE
$65 season price
Members save 10 percent on the season cost
INDIVIDUAL SESSION PRICE
$12 per individual session
BOOKS
Books can be purchased in the Museum Shop