Leonard Baskin, Artist and Storyteller: A Panel Discussion with Stephen Hannock, Aprile Gallant, and Circle of Friends

The Annual Stephen May and Kathryn B. Wilson Lecture

In conjunction with our Leonard Baskin exhibition, the Farnsworth Art Museum presents a lively panel discussion with some of those who knew the artist and his work best: Curator Aprile Gallant from Smith College Museum of Art, Hosea Baskin former printer and antiquarian bookseller, artist Stephen Hannock, and Ken Shure, Fine Arts Publisher of Two Ponds Press. Moderated by FAM board member Richard Aroneau and Jane Bianco, FAM Curator of the current Baskin exhibition.

We will unpack the complex nature of Baskin’s work, his interest in literature and the book arts, and his use of woodcuts as a graphic medium of creative expression. There is much to discover about Leonard Baskin, a book-lover and storyteller, whose bold use of imagery is world renowned. Tickets to the talk will include museum admission for time to see the Baskin exhibition before and after. The Stephen May and Kathryn B. Wilson Lecture focuses on the art of the book, past and present. Katie and her late husband Stephen had a vision and passion to ensure the future growth and accessibility of the Farnsworth library, created through the bequest of the museum’s founder, Lucy Copeland Farnsworth. The library is the only publicly accessible library in the state of Maine devoted solely to art.

PANELISTS:

Aprile Gallant is Mary Walcott Keyes 1931 Curator of Prints, Drawings and Photographs, and Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs at Smith College Museum of Art.

Stephen Hannock is an internationally known artist of neo-Luminist paintings. Stephen pursued his degree at Bowdoin, but through a Twelve College exchange program, found himself working as an apprentice to Leonard Baskin at Smith College when Baskin was a professor there.

Hosea Baskin is a former printer, an antiquarian bookseller, and an estate attorney specializing in cultural property. He lives in Western Massachusetts.

Jane Bianco is curator of the Leonard Baskin exhibition, and has been with the Farnsworth Art Museum since 2008.

Ken Shure is a rare book collector and dealer, Fine Press publisher at Two Ponds Press, and agent for the Gehenna Press, Leonard Baskin’s private press.

Richard Aroneau served as Board President of Farnsworth Art Museum for five years, is currently President Emeritus and chairperson of the museum’s Master Plan initiative.

Cost: $10; Free for Farnsworth members.
Please note that the in-person registration is now sold out, but there are still tickets available for the online event via Zoom.