Library Foundation

Held every Tuesday evening in February and March, the Age: Wide Angle lecture series offers a fresh perspective on the topic of age and aging by prominent arts leaders who will explore the role age plays in their field of expertise or their own artistic lives.

Held at the Central Library in Pohlad Hall (300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401), the programs are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 6:15 and programs begin at 7 PM.

Age: Wide Angle is co-presented by Mill City Commons and the Library Foundation of Hennepin County, and made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: Target, Gentle Transitions, AgeWell, and Gittleman Management.
 

February 2: Visual Trends

with Will Hopkins and Mary K Baumann, Hopkins/Baumann Design

The extensive portfolio of design firm Hopkins/Baumann includes magazine work with Life, Look, People, Architectural Digest, Forbes, Food & Wine, Body & Soul, L’Express (FR) and Claudia (BR). Partners Will Hopkins and Mary K Baumann have been tracking popular graphic trends and will discuss what it takes to keep pace with our fast-moving visual culture.

February 9: Age in an Ageless Art Form

with James Sewell, James Sewell Ballet

James Sewell (co-Founder, Artistic Director and choreographer of the James Sewell Ballet) has choreographed more than 60 ballets, including 11 for which he composed the music. He was lead dancer with Feld Ballets/NY and performed with the New York City Ballet, at the Guthrie and beyond. As a recipient of numerous awards, including Bush Foundation and McKnight Fellowships, James's ballets have been performed throughout the world. James will examine the evolution of his work and the art of ballet, “an ageless art form.”

February 16: How Did I Get Here?

with Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence

As conductor, choral scholar and performer, Philip Brunelle has worked enthusiastically to help audiences worldwide experience the many genres and styles of music … conducting 1000 singers on the steps of the Capitol, appearing countless times with Garrison Keillor, teaching choral music to Serbian singers, performing for the first time in public as a boy soprano at age 3. Philip (Artistic Director and Founder of VocalEssence) will reflect on his life and artistic journey in the music world.

February 23: Turn the Key: A Collaborative Experience

with photographer Laura Crosby, composer Libby Larsen, writer Marisha Chamberlain

In 2002, photographer Laura Crosby, composer Libby Larsen, and writer Marisha Chamberlain presented a collaborative installation on aging at the Weisman Art Museum, called "Time Take." Coming together again, the three artists will reflect on their installation and explore “age” through images, words, and sounds. Audience members are invited to participate in the creation of the collaborative word, sound, and photography installation. Please plan to arrive at approximately 6:30 pm to participate in the collaborative installation.

March 2: Music for Life: Transforming Lives

with David O'Fallon, MacPhail Center for Music

David O'Fallon, CEO of MacPhail Center for Music, is an experienced educator and leader with local, national and international experience. He shares insights and experiences on how the arts transform lives and command and shape the future.

March 9: It's Never Too Late

with Sage Cowles, dance activist

Sage Cowles grew up around NYC, graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1947, married, and moved to Minneapolis in 1953. Sage's talk will cover lessons learned along the way, reflecting her lifelong interest in dance, her recent research into early childhood education at the Humphrey Institute, and her ongoing adventures of getting old.

March 16: The Influence of Life Experience on the Literary Perspective

with Loft director Jocelyn Hale, author Fred Amram, poet Philip S. Bryant, poet Phebe Hanson, novelist Faith Sullivan

From a writer's perspective, more years give you more material and deeper insights. This program, moderated by the Loft Literary Center's Executive Director Jocelyn Hale, will include short readings, musings, and lively conversation about the role of age and long-term perspective in literary work. Acclaimed panelists will include Loft Mentor Series winner Fred Amram, poet Philip S. Bryant, poet Phebe Hanson and novelist Faith Sullivan.

March 23: Acting in the Theater: A Continuing Journey

with actor Richard Ooms

Legendary actor Richard Ooms has appeared in more than 125 stage productions and dozens of television shows and films. Ooms will discuss the story of his life in the theater—from its beginning in Chicago at the Goodman Theater School, through his adventures in New York City and on the road with The Acting Company, to the circuitous route that brought him to Minneapolis and the Guthrie Theater.

March 30: Becoming Truly Marvelous: Artists' Later Years

with Kaywin Feldman, Director of Minneapolis Institute of Arts

In 1834, at the age of 74, Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai wrote that he produced nothing significant before the age of 70. Hokusai estimates that by the age of 110, he will have become "truly marvelous.” Kaywin Feldman, Director of Minneapolis Institute of Arts, will examine the style, technique, subject matter and circumstances of works created by artists working in their later years.