Artist and Art Historian Kristin Ashley presents a variety of entertaining and engaging art appreciation presentations, including lectures on all genres and eras of art history. Kristin is a highly dynamic and entertaining speaker and presents acclaimed programs to libraries, senior centers, art guilds and special interest groups throughout Chicago, the North Shore and the northwest suburban area.
Programs listed are available anytime. I can also tailor-make a program for any season, holiday or special event. Ask about a special price for a package of four presentations.
From golden fields to crimson leaves, fall’s rich hues have long inspired artists. As twilight deepens and mystery fills the air, we’ll explore works that capture the spirit of autumn—from Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh to Georgia O’Keeffe and Gustave Klimt.
Explore modernist art with one of the 20th century’s most beloved artists. From the ghostly floating figures and Slavic symbols of his childhood to the cafes and opera life of Paris to his daring escape to America at the height of the Nazi occupation, Chagall’s paintings and stained glass creations brought light and color to a changing world.
Journey from the dreamlike visions of the Symbolists to the bold imagination of the Surrealists. Explore the art and symbols of Gauguin, Moreau, Redon, Magritte, Dalí, Ernst, and Kahlo.
Join Kristin for a celebration of American creativity, from the early portraits of Gilbert Stuart and landscapes of Frederic Church to the modern visions of Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol. Discover how American artists have forged a trail of bold, distinctive art—perfect for July!
Journey from Symbolists to Surrealists, exploring the art and subconscious symbols of Paul Gauguin, Gustave Moreau, Odilon Redon, René Magritte, Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, and Frida Kahlo.
Look at nature with new eyes as we explore the colorful world of Georgia O’Keefe. Enjoy her beautiful interpretations of closely-cropped flowers and her arid desert scenes of New Mexico. There’s beauty to be found in the small things!
Take a journey back in time to Renaissance Italy and discover the historical changes and new ideas that led to masterpiecs of art and architecture created by Renaissance geniuses like Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli.
Step into the luminous world of Claude Monet and the Impressionists. Discover the revolutionary painters of 19th-century France, from Monet’s water lilies to Edgar Degas’s ballerinas and Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s lively café scenes.
Journey into the mystique and magic of timeless art as Kristin reveals the secrets of the masters, including William Blake, Caspar David Friedrich, Odilon Redon, and Jamie Wyeth.
Enter the dreamlike world of French Symbolist Odilon Redon, where myth and imagination meet in radiant color. Join Kristin to explore how Redon and his fellow Symbolists used art to express the mysteries of emotion and spirit.
Celebrate some of the world’s most beloved paintings, from the richness of the Renaissance and Van Gogh’s mystique to Monet’s luminous creations and O’Keeffe’s nature-inspired beauty. Join Kristin for a joyful exploration of art to be thankful for.
Relish the highly romantic expressions of the nineteenth-century British Pre-Raphaelites with their beautiful interpretations of medieval stories, ancient myths, and literary legends brought to life by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones, and John Millais in the 19th-century Pre-Raphaelite movement.
Explore Vincent van Gogh beyond sunflowers and starry nights, from woodlands to blooming orchards, in a colorful journey through his nature paintings.
Wings in Flight: Birds in Art
From the exotic parrots of the Dutch masters to Audubon’s vibrant studies of North American wildlife, birds have long inspired artists and dreamers alike. Join Kristin to explore how painters from Van Gogh to Chagall captured the beauty and spirit of wings in flight.
Discover the artistry of three generations of the Wyeth family, from N.C.’s beloved illustrations to Andrew’s hauntingly beautiful landscapes and Jamie’s vibrant portraits and coastal scenes. Join Kristin to explore a legacy that captures the spirit of rural America and continues to inspire audiences today.