EVENING EXPLORATIONS

Thanks to everyone who joined us for Evening Explorations - we look forward to running this popular program again in 2025!

Model to Metal
How does an abstract idea become tangible reality? Join professional sculptor Jim Windram as we explore the fiery process that transformed French’s visions of beauty into solid bronze.

“From Italy to the Berkshires”
This special tour centers on the lives and work of the Piccirilli Brothers, six Italian immigrants whose immense skills as marble carvers were integral to the creation of sculptor Daniel Chester French's famed Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C. -- among many others of his works. The contributions of immigrants to our national conscience and identity are often overlooked. In this program, we acknowledge and remember the artistry of these six Italian brothers, and how they shaped the American experience.

“The Women of Chesterwood” 

An interactive look at some of the women of Chesterwood, whose lives and accomplishments were often behind the scenes and overshadowed by Daniel Chester French. The evening exploration will highlight the female artists who worked in French’s studio, such as pioneering sculptor Evelyn Beatrice Longman. Additional women will be brought out of the shadows during this exploration: French’s wife Mary Adams French, his daughter, Margaret French Cresson, artist colleagues and friends, models, and the family’s domestic helpers.

“Queer Whispers in Fairyland”

Daniel Chester French, a meticulous molder of monumental images, carefully crafted the public person which helped him become one of the most successful American sculptors of his time. Dive beneath French’s ‘straight-laced’ exterior to explore the ‘queer whispers’ he left behind for us to puzzle over.

🔍 Become a Queer History Detective: Make use of the tools offered by queer historiography as we dissect French's life and works to reveal the complexities of his era and identity.
🎨 Explore French's Artistic Expression: Decode the sensual masterpieces of a sculptor who meticulously crafted monumental images, each hiding layers of meaning beneath the surface.
👥 Uncover Forgotten Relationships: Dive deep into French's complex – but often-overlooked – friendship with artist Newton Mackintosh, spanning over four decades, and challenge the assumptions of his straightness.
🤔 Question Presumptions, Make Your Own Determination: Engage in thought-provoking discussions and examine the evidence, as we encourage you to form your own conclusions about the extent of French's possible queerness.