Lecture Series: The Whitney Biennial with Debbie Wells
Thursday August 8, 6:30-8:30
$15 M/$20 NM

Debbie Wells of Artful Circle will be our Virtual Tour Guide for the inagural evening of a new lecture series. This evening focuses on an overview of the Whitney Biennial as an “armchair tour” or as a preparation to visit the show in person. Understanding what the artists are trying to accomplish will give you a better appreciation of the works on view. After the talk, the floor will be open for a lively discussion. As artists, art collectors, and art lovers of all levels, the Art Guild’s audience should prove to have a very interesting perspective on the way the artists were chosen, the quality of their art, and why the controversary and the intensity of this show makes it an important showcase in the art world.

About the Whitney Biennial

Designed by internationally renowned architect Renzo Piano, the museum is the jewel of the Meatpacking District, alongside new NYC attractions including the High Line and nearby Hudson Yards. Since Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney initiated this invitational exhibition in 1932, the Biennial is still the longest running survey of American art. The Whitney Biennial is a must-see for anyone who wants to see the art of the moment – paintings, sculptures, installations, photography and more by over 75 artists specially chosen by the Biennial curatorial team.

A few things make the Biennial unique: It was designed to express the voices of primarily young emerging artists with the majority under forty years old. This year, female artists are represented in record breaking numbers. The curators traveled the country looking for diversity in artist backgrounds and artistic expression with a message – from body image and gender identity, politics and current events, ethnicity, physical disabilities, social and community issues. This is an edgy, not pretty exhibition….their mission is to provoke thought and appeal to the way people look at their world today. Plus – there is always a major controversary going on behind the scenes and you will learn about the current protests as well as the newsworthy conflict that occurred at the last Biennial.

About the Speaker

Debbie Wells is the co-founder of Artful Circle with Franklin Hill Perrell which provides visits to art galleries and museums, art lectures and curatorial services. For more information, visit www.artfulcircle.com

She is a graduate of Parsons School of Design (BFA/MA) with a professional background in graphic design, advertising and publicity for over 30 years. Over the years, she has won several awards from Graphic Design:USA magazine for her designs in package design, corporate design and publication.

Wells is an Artist Member of the Salmagundi Club in NYC and has had her photographs in many juried exhibitions, including their historic Black & White Exhibition. She also serves as Immediate Past President of the Board at the Art League of Long Island in Dix Hills and in addition to her leadership role, personal projects there include: creating a hand-painted fundraising mural for their art library and as speaker for the “Dab of Paint” art history lecture series.

Her curatorial work with Franklin Hill Perrell includes exhibitions at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor, Heckscher Museum in Huntington, Art League of Long Island in Dix Hills, Preservation Long Island in Oyster Bay, Roslyn Landmark Society, and Bryant Library in Roslyn and Tria Gallery in Chelsea.