The Ashcan School was an artistic movement known for portraying the grittiness and realism of early twentieth century New York City. In this lecture, we explore the maverick group of artists who worked in this style; including Robert Henri, John Sloan, Everett Shinn, George Bellows. Some used the dirty streets of the city as a backdrop to the portrayal of the working class, while others painted images of working class diversions such as nightclubs, circuses, boxing matches, and trips to the beach. These were not topics considered to be appropriate subjects for high art at the time, and for this reason the historian Holger Cahill coined the term “Ashcan School,” as a tongue-in-cheek reference to other schools of art. Our discussion includes the social-political backdrop in which these artists emerged and their populist views towards the art world.

Bio:
Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and leads art and architecture tours throughout the world. She has been named a Distinguished Instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She is also Professor Emeritus of Art and Architectural History at Santa Monica College. She has done graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby's Institute in London and New York. She has served as a Design Review Commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the John Lautner Foundation.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.