Barbara Bansley ‘The Wit of America’s First Ladies’ February 28, 2008

Artist Reception: March 7, 7-9pm

We Americans have had a long history of First Ladies. In the near future this could possibly change, making Bansley’s installation, ‘The Wit of America’s First Ladies’ quite timely and provoking.

Bansley’s installation is a gathering of past and present First Ladies in an enchanting setting in The Blue Room. . You are invited to become any of the 43 First Ladies. walk in their shoes and imagine there time spent as a President’s wife. You will experience emotions, such as fear, love, hate, and sorrow.

Each table has a theme with First Ladies from different generations sharing a table and have something in common. For instance, Martha Washington, Anna Harrison, Margaret Taylor and Mamie Eisenhower were married to men who served in the military. Jackie Kennedy, Edith Roosevelt and Caroline Harrison had small children roaming the halls. Hand made paper graces each table in the form of table skirts, chargers, plates and napkins with indigo dye for many skirts and cyanotype for the portrait plates. Centerpieces reflect the theme at each table and the array of gold chairs screams the accent color.

Barbara has received an MA in Interdisciplinary Art from Columbia College and a PBSC from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her artwork has been exhibited throughout the Chicago Area. Recent venues for ‘The Wit of America’s First Ladies’ have been: Hartmann Art Center, Bradley University, Peoria, IL, Glass Curtain Gallery, Columbia College, Chicago, Ridge Historical Society in Chicago, and the premier at Mother McAuley High School in Chicago. Stage adaptations of ‘The Wit of America’s First Ladies’ have been staged at De La Salle High School, St. Barnabas Grammar School and Mother McAuley High School.

Official Website: http://www.beverlyartcenter.org