​Benson Returns for Lecture Series

Event description courtesy Essex Library

“Cranbrook School of Art Reconsidered … An American Original” with Professor Chuck Benson

So much of what we consider mid-century Modernism & Expressionism is due in large part to the School of Design & Architecture that Eliel Saarinen founded at Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan just outside of Detroit. Here, a completely holistic art academy was created that merged art, design, architecture, product and furniture design and so much more with the hiring of Eliel Saarinen to design and direct the many schools and academies on the expanded campus. Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, and Alexander Girard are but a few of the luminaries that came from the Cranbrook Philosophy of Design and were closely involved with its’ spread across the United States. Come join us as we delve into this fascinating “engine of design and creativity” of the last century.

Professor Chuck Benson has been teaching the History of Art, Architecture, and Design for over 30 years. Chuck has also been an architectural consultant with various architectural firms on a variety of projects, most recently at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. For the past several years he has been teaching both art and architecture classes and expanded art & architecture series at both the Bemis School and at the Colorado Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, The Estes Park Arts Center, and The Benet Hill Monastery.

The event is one of many programs provided by the Essex Library. It will be held in “The Cube” at Centerbrook Architects & Planners’ office, located at 67 Main Street in Centerbrook. The program, which begins at 7 p.m., is free and open to the public. For more information, or to register, please call the Essex Library at 860-767-1560.