Upcoming Cottage Conversation

Don’t miss the next Cottage Conversation event at President Lincoln’s Cottage on November 4, 20011 with Ivan Schwartz from Studio EIS.

The artist responsible for the “Lincoln & His Horse” sculpture at the Cottage and the “Lincoln” sculpture at Gettysburg, Schwartz will discuss Picturing History: a 21st Century Sculptor in the 19th century.

Ivan Schwartz is a sculptor, painter, and inventor. He’s always been interested in what lies in our peripheral vision – exploring the shorthand of visual language as a storyteller.

Often seen as the face of StudioEIS, Ivan lectures, and is writing a blog about visual storytelling that can be seen on StudioEIS’ website. He can also be seen in the History Channel’s Save Our History series, “The Search for George Washington”, an important documentary about the making of the forensic George Washington sculptures created for Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens.

Ivan received his degree in Sculpture from The College of Fine Arts at Boston University before spending a year working and studying in Pietrasanta, Italy in the early 1970s. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from BU in 2003, and has shown his paintings in New York since 1981. Ivan was a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts until the end of the 2009 academic year. He was also a founding board member of Art Omi, an international arts workshop located in NY State.  

On Thursday, November 4, the night will begin with a reception at 6:00pm followed by the lecture with Ivan at 6:30pm. For reservations and to purchase tickets call (202) 829-0436 x31228 or email alison_mitchell@nthp.org. Limited seating – advanced reservations highly recommended.

For more information on public programs at President Lincoln’s Cottage visit http://www.lincolncottage.org/news/programs.htm

“Lincoln For Lincoln” at Holy Spirit Elementary School

By Alison Mitchell

K. Orrick, T. Mitchell and L. Poussard give their presentation to the 3rd grade.

The “Give A Lincoln For Lincoln” campaign, sponsored by the History Channel, has taken off around the country in hopes of raising money to support historic Lincoln sites that help to preserve his legacy. A number of schools have generously participated and one local school has done a particularly impressive job in learning about these historic sites. Mrs. Maureen Ashby’s 7th Grade class at Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School allowed Callie Hawkins, Education Coordinator at President Lincoln’s Cottage, and I to watch the presentations they gave to the school on the campaign, why Lincoln’s legacy is so important and each of the historic sites. Working in pairs, they presented to different classrooms and worked to improve their presentation skills by tailoring each speech to the grade level they were speaking to.  Each group that we were fortunate enough to see did a terrific job. I’m sure they inspired the rest of the school to get involved in the fundraiser. What a great way to educate each other on the project and Lincoln’s legacy during this Bicentennial year!

J. Ludwick and L. Gant present.

A special thanks to Mrs. Ashby and the 7th grade class at Holy Spirit School for supporting “Give A Lincoln For Lincoln.”

To learn more about “Give A Lincoln For Lincoln” visit http://www.history.com/content/give-a-lincoln/

For more information on school programs at President Lincoln’s Cottage contact callie_hawkins@nthp.org.

Ms. Mitchell is the Development Coordinator for President Lincoln’s Cottage.