New program at the DIA: Art + Authors Book Discussions

Detroit Institute of Arts presents

Art + Authors: Book Discussions 

at the DIA

5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is pleased to announce a new program that combines a good read with great art. Art + Authors: Book Discussions at the DIA offers the opportunity to read and discuss books related to art in the DIA’s collection and special exhibitions. The DIA will post a list of titles on its website, and each quarter will hold a discussion at the museum, followed by visits to galleries associated with the books’ subject matter, led by DIA staff.

The Passion of Artemisia

by Susan Vreeland 

April 12, 2014

10 am @ Kresge Court

featuring library programs consultant Karen Imarisio

The first book is Susan Vreeland’s novel The Passion of Artemisia, a fictional account of the life of 17th-century Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the few female artists of the period to achieve fame during her lifetime. Vreeland’s novel imagines Artemisia’s life and tension-filled relationship with her artist father and teacher, Orazio Gentileschi.

The DIA will host a discussion of the book led by library programs consultant Karen Imarisio on Saturday, April 12, at 10 a.m. in the museum’s Kresge Court. DIA staff will then take the group to view Artemisia’s dramatic painting Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes, as well as paintings by her father and an uncle.

The program is free with museum admission and free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, call 313-833-4005 or go to http://www.dia.org/calendar/art-authors.aspx.

A new book will be chosen each quarter. July’s selection is James McBride’s National Book Award-wining novel, The Good Lord Bird, which will be paired with Jacob Lawrence’s John Brown print series. Art + Authors is one of many free programs the DIA offers in exchange for public funding from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

Hours and Admission
Museum hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesdays–Thursdays, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission (excludes ticketed exhibitions) is free for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county residents and DIA members. For all others, $8 for adults, $6 for seniors ages 62+, $4 for ages 6–17. For membership information, call 313-833-7971.