2024-2025 Lecture Series

Theme: Folk Arts and Crafts

There are two lectures for each date. The first will begin at 1:00 pm at Glendale Lakes Golf Club
Please see the map at bottom of this page. All lectures are free to members.

October 2, 2024

Introduction to Folk Arts and Crafts of the Americas

Speaker: Sherryl Brown
Our topic for this season encompasses Folk art and crafts of the American continent which includes South America, Central America, and North America. The introduction will give an historical perspective emphasizing the cultural contributions of both folk art and the crafts. Characteristics of each region will be discussed.

Olmec Culture, Sculptures, and Trails

Speaker: Laura Wilson
The Olmec were the earliest known major Mesoamerican civilization. The culture existed as early 1200 BCE to about 400 BCE. The most recognized artworks by the Olmec are enormous decorated heads carved from volcanic basalt. The lecture will cover the Olmec culture, sculptures and Olmec Trail.

November 6, 2024

Native American Women Basket Weavers

Speaker: Dorothy Mikuska
Over thousands of years, the Native peoples of North America perfected the art of basket weaving. Weavers manipulated grasses, bark, roots, and other plant materials into baskets that served a variety of functions. People relied on baskets for gathering, storing, and preparing and cooking food. Women used basketry cradles to hold babies and they wove basketry caps for personal adornment. Baskets were also incorporated into ritual activities.

American Folk Painters

Speaker: Roberta Pawlak

Folk art has a rich history, and there are several notable folk artists whose work continues to captivate audiences.

February 5, 2025

Quilts as Folk Art

Speaker: Mary Ellen Middleton
Quilters have made a significant contribution to the history of American folk art. From sharecropper women in the south to Amish quilters in the Midwest to indigenous women of the Great Plains, the need for warmth became a conduit for artistic and personal expression. This presentation will illustrate the distinctions and similarities of geographically diverse groups of quilters and why their work is considered folk art.

Weaving Traditions of Latin America

Speaker: Julie Schauer
Weaving holds immense cultural significance in Latin America, especially among indigenous communities. Weaving connects generations, preserving cultural heritage through threads and patterns.

March 5, 2025

Peaceable Kingdoms: The Folk Art of Three Pennsylvania Primitives

Speaker: Marti Seaton
Edward Hicks may be the most famous of self-taught painters of the Peaceable Kingdom theme, but two other Pennsylvania painters were inspired to paint similar subjects of humans and creatures co-existing in harmony: William Hallowell and Horace Pippin. 

Dave Drake: Enslaved Potter, Poet, and Edgefield Pottery

Speakers: Mary G. Marshall
The presentation will showcase Dave Drake, his works their uniqueness for the nineteenth-century in the United States’ Deep South. He was enslaved for most of his life, but the 19th-century craftsman produced uncommonly large ceramic jars adorned by his poetic verses.

April 2, 2025

Crafts with Gourds

Speaker: Leslie Foster
For thousands of years gourds have been used in nearly every culture for purposes as diverse as utensils, musical instruments, toys, parts of clothing and as ceremonial and religious objects. The presenter will focus on the decorative arts, such as ornaments, covered bowls, cups, baskets, vases, jewelry, birdhouses, shekerie. puppets and dolls. Reference will be made to how gourds are dyed, painted, carved, beaded and woodburned. On display will be the books written by Leslie’s sister, Ginger Summit, on gourd craft, gourd carving, gourd musical instruments, gourd dolls and spirit figures and growing gourds in your garden.

Lecture Venue

Glendale Lakes Golf Club, 1550 President Street, Glendale Heights, IL 60139

Directions from the south (in Glen Ellyn)
1) From Geneva Road, turn north on Bloomingdale Road
2) Turn left on E. Fullerton Avenue
3) Turn left onto President Street
4) Pass Glendale Heights Public Library on left
5) Glendale Lakes Golf Club is on the right

Directions from the west (in Wheaton)
1) Go north on Main Street which turns into Schmale Road
2) Turn right on East Fullerton Avenue 
3) Turn right on President Street
4) Glendale Lakes Golf Club will be on the right

Directions from all points east
1) Go west on North Avenue to President Street (2.8 miles west of I-355)
2) Turn north on President Street for .8 miles
3) Glendale Lakes Golf Club will be on the left

WSAS COVID Policy

WSAS will comply with federal, state and local COVID protocol as it relates to masking, social distancing and capacity. The current DuPage County guidelines strongly recommend the following:
• COVID vaccinations
• Masking when appropriate
• Please stay home if you are not feeling well.