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Spring Roycroft History Course to start in May

Apr 23, 2019 | Arts & Culture

The Roycroft Campus will be offering a new Roycroft History Course this spring. The course will cover a variety of topics from artists, furniture, the Roycroft and self-sustainability, and the impact that our region had on the Arts & Crafts Movement. A different guest speaker will be leading each class, which take place Thursday evenings starting May 2 at 7 p.m. in the Museum of the Roycroft Print Shop, 21 South Grove in East Aurora, across the street from the Roycroft Inn.

The history course begins on May 2 with a presentation on Alexis Jean Fournier – The Roycroft “Court” Painter. Fournier was a historic resident of East Aurora and art director of the Roycroft Campus during its heyday. His artwork is on display throughout the town, most famously the murals that hang in the Roycroft Inn. Grace Meibohm, owner of Meibohm Fine Arts and dealer in Fournier artwork, will offer this presentation on a painter who created a legacy at the Roycroft and around the community.  

On May 9, Art History adjunct professor and Campus Program Director Alan Nowicki will explore how the Western New York region may be viewed as the national capital for design, production and innovation in American Arts & Crafts, and examine how people like Hubbard, Stickley, Grueby, Rohlfs, Wright, Newcomb and Rookwood all converged in Buffalo to launch a new form of decorative arts. 

The Arts & Crafts Movement on Elbert Hubbard’s Roycroft Campus involved more than printing beautiful books and producing exquisitely crafted wares. Behind the scenes, the ideals of self-sufficiency and nature awareness were put into practice. From energy to furniture, food to lighting, naturalist and educator, Mary Jo Graham will discuss ways in which the Roycroft community practiced self-reliance and conservation of resources, many of which make perfect sense in our modern era. “The Roycroft and Self-Sufficiency” will be presented on May 16.

Finally, on May 23, the Roycroft Campus welcomes back Stickley historian Mike Danial for an interactive and fun presentation which offers attendees a chance to delve into a wide berth of topics and questions often asked by Arts & Crafts enthusiasts. Design, construction, finishing, etc. — it’s a “choose your own presentation” event. From historical to contemporary images and slides, Danial will cover a range of topics which you never quite know where it will lead to next. This fun, educational and lighthearted event is not to be missed. 

The Roycroft History Course, which includes all four presentations, is $30 for the general public, or become a Roycroft Campus member and the course is only $10. Registration is now open. For further information visit the Roycroft Campus website at roycroftcampuscorp.com or call 655-0261.

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