2026-2027 Lecture Series
Theme: The Business of Fine Art
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.
November 4, 2026
Museum Art Thefts
Speaker: Roberta Pawlak
From the Mona Lisa’s shocking disappearance from the Louvre in 1911 to the audacious 2025 theft at Dresden’s Royal Palace, the art world has been shaped by moments of mystery, obsession, and high‑stakes crime. The Van Gogh Museum theft in 1991, Oslo National Gallery heist of 1994, the Singer Laren Museum robbery in 2020, and the Munch Museum attack in 2024, and even the haunting loss of the Dulwich Picture Gallery’s Rembrandt—all stand as reminders that masterpieces are never entirely safe from those who covet them.
In this riveting presentation, Roberta Pawlak pulls back the velvet curtain on these infamous crimes, weaving together the drama of missing masterpieces, the psychology of art thieves, and the global hunt to recover what was stolen. Roberta reveals how these events reshaped museum security, altered the art market, and continue to fascinate investigators and collectors alike.
Prepare for a journey into the shadows of the art world—where beauty, greed, and mystery collide.
October 7, 2026
Top Art Dealers Call the Shots
Speaker: Sherryl Brown
Many collectors of fine art are unaware of the true value—financial, historical, and personal—of the works they hold. Hidden in attics, tucked behind doors, or hanging quietly on familiar walls, extraordinary pieces often go unrecognized until it’s too late.
This compelling lecture delves into the often‑overlooked world of documentation, provenance, and the essential stewardship every collector needs to protect their legacy. From meticulous record‑keeping to understanding the realities of the inevitable transfer or disposition of art, this session reveals why knowledge is the collector’s greatest safeguard.
And guiding us through this fascinating journey is Sherryl, whose insight, clarity, and real‑world experience bring the topic to life. With her signature warmth and expertise, she illuminates the stories behind the paperwork, the pitfalls that catch even seasoned collectors off guard, and the empowering steps every art owner can take.
Join us for an eye‑opening presentation that blends practicality with intrigue—one that will leave you seeing your art collection in an entirely new light.
Starting During the Gilded Age: The Journey of European Art to America
Starting During the Gilded Age: The Journey of European Art to America
Speaker: Dorothy Mikuska
The extraordinary wealth of America’s Gilded Age ignited a feverish quest for Europe’s greatest masterpieces—paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts swept across the Atlantic in a whirlwind of ambition, rivalry, and breathtaking extravagance. What began as private indulgence for industrial titans soon became the foundation of America’s cultural identity.
This lecture traces the dramatic journeys of these artworks: how they were acquired, coveted, transported, and ultimately entrusted to American museums, universities, and public institutions. Today, we admire them as part of our shared heritage—but behind every masterpiece lies a tale of fortune, persuasion, ego, and sometimes scandal.
Dorothy has done the deep explorations, uncovering the stories behind these acquisitions and the powerful personalities who made them possible. With her keen eye and gift for storytelling, she brings to life the drama, the opulence, and the surprising twists that shaped the collections we now consider national treasures.
Join us for a captivating look at how Europe’s masterpieces crossed oceans, entered America’s grand halls, and became part of the cultural legacy we enjoy today.
February 3, 2027
Estate Sales
Presented by Linda Carroll‑Evans
Estate sales are far more than simple household cleanouts—they are treasure hunts layered with history, memory, and surprising value. Time and again, remarkable artworks surface in the homes of second‑, third‑, and even fourth‑generation families, tucked away in basements, attics, and long‑forgotten corners. What looks ordinary at first glance can turn out to be extraordinary.
In this fascinating presentation, Linda Carroll‑Evans will guide us through the hidden world of estate sales:
who runs them and how they operate,
what items consistently attract buyers,
how pricing strategies are crafted,
how homes are staged to showcase their best finds, and
how sales are marketed to draw collectors, dealers, and curious seekers.
With Linda’s insight and experience, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the drama, the discovery, and the unexpected value that estate sales can reveal. A perfect session for anyone who loves art, history, or the thrill of uncovering something truly special.
The Impact of Art Tourism on Participants and Communities: Panel Discussion by WSAS Participants of Art Associates 2026 Indiana Art Tour
Facilitated by Marti Seaton
Art tours play a powerful role—not only in broadening our horizons through travel and cultural engagement, but in preserving and promoting local traditions, deepening empathy, and fostering understanding across diverse perspectives. These journeys invite us to step into new worlds, connect with communities, and experience art in the places where it was created and cherished.
With Marti’s thoughtful guidance, we’ll explore how art tours enrich our lives far beyond the itinerary, offering meaningful encounters that stay with us long after we return home.
Newfield’s Pavillion: “Red Flowers” Clowes Pavillon Indianapolis Museum of Art
March 3, 2027
Art Critics
Presented by Marti Seaton
Art critics do more than review exhibitions — they shape the very way culture remembers art. They help define the canon, translate complex ideas for the public, and situate new movements within broader social and historical conversations. Acting as cultural interpreters, critics influence which artists rise to prominence and how audiences learn to see, question, and understand what lies beyond the frame.
In this program, Marti Seaton will unpack the critical lenses that shape these judgments — revealing how critics construct meaning, challenge conventions, and ultimately transform the way we experience art.
Museum Acquisitions
Presented by Laura Wilson
How do museums decide what belongs within their walls? Behind every masterpiece on display lies a story of pursuit, negotiation, scholarship, and sometimes sheer luck. In this presentation, Laura Wilson will reveal the fascinating pathways through which museums build their collections — from donations and bequests to curatorial purchases, long‑term loans, and unexpected discoveries.
She will unpack the guidelines, ethics, and decision‑making frameworks that shape acquisitions today, and share the surprising backstories of several well‑known artworks and how each found its way into a museum’s care.
It’s a rare look behind the scenes at how institutions choose what becomes part of our cultural legacy.
April 7, 2027
Claribel and Etta Cone, Art Collectors
Presented by Mary G. Marshall
Claribel and Etta Cone were anything but ordinary collectors. A physician and a pianist with an eye for the avant‑garde, the Cone sisters assembled one of the most extraordinary private art collections of the 20th century — more than 3,000 works gathered between 1898 and 1949. Their bold acquisitions, deep friendships with artists, and unwavering commitment to modernism resulted in a collection that now includes the largest group of Matisse works in the world, valued at over a billion dollars.
In this presentation, Mary G. Marshall will explore the sisters’ remarkable lives, their discerning tastes, and the cultural legacy they left behind. From their early encounters with Parisian modernism to the visionary decisions that shaped their legendary collection, we’ll uncover how two unconventional women transformed the art world — and why their influence still resonates today.
Iconic Symbols in the Promotion of Art
Presented by Sue Ciezki
Corporate logos may look simple, but behind every clean line and clever symbol lies a world of strategy, psychology, and visual storytelling. In this presentation, Sue Ciezki explores how iconic logos are crafted to communicate identity, evoke emotion, and embed meaning in a single glance.
We’ll uncover the hidden messages tucked inside famous designs, examine why certain logos become timeless cultural touchstones, and analyze why some high‑profile redesigns fall flat with the public.
It’s a fascinating look at the power of visual branding — and how a well‑designed mark can shape the way we think about the world around us.
Art Critic Artist: Norman Rockwell
Date: 1955
Speaker: Julie Schauer
Julie will share personal insights from her time at Chicago’s legendary Richard Gray Gallery, pulling back the curtain on a world where brilliance, ego, intuition, and risk collide. She’ll take us inside the quirky, electric atmosphere of major galleries—places where artists pace, dream, argue, and create, and where dealers navigate a delicate dance of taste, instinct, and influence.
With vivid stories and insider perspective, Julie reveals how iconic dealers like Richard Gray, Leo Castelli, and Mary Boone decided which artists mattered—who had the spark, the edge, the voice that could shift the art world’s center of gravity. These weren’t simple decisions; they were bold bets, whispered hunches, and sometimes wild leaps of faith.
From eccentric studio visits to the unpredictable personalities that make the art world unforgettable, Julie’s talk promises drama, humor, and a rare glimpse into how artistic value is shaped behind closed doors.
A lively, eye‑opening journey into the beautifully unpredictable world of artists and the dealers who champion them.
Provenance and How Collectors Sell Fine Art
