Inspired by Black Refractions: Highlights from The Studio Museum in Harlem, participants will discuss Old in Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over by Nell Painter. This program is in collaboration with the Charleston County Public Library.

Founded in 1968, the Studio Museum in Harlem is internationally known for its catalytic role in promoting the works of artists of African descent. The Artist-in-Residence program was one of the Museum’s founding initiatives, giving it the “Studio” in its name. Following her retirement from Princeton University, celebrated historian Dr. Nell Irvin Painter surprised everyone in her life by returning to school—in her sixties—to earn a BFA and MFA in painting. . . . How are women and artists seen and judged by their age, looks, and race? What does it mean when someone says, “You will never be an artist”? Who defines what “An Artist” is and all that goes with such an identity, and how are these ideas tied to our shared conceptions of beauty, value, and difference? Old in Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over is Nell Painter’s ongoing exploration of those crucial questions and provides an interesting context for understanding the themes in the exhibition.

Please read the book so you can participate in the discussion. Participation is free and includes a coupon for discounted Museum admission.