A dark blue background with a Greek key border frames logos for the Hellenic American Women's Council and the Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois, with text inviting viewers to join their Community Art Program.

Hellenic American Womens Council

LXCL:Welcome. At 5pm the Art Institute is open to the public. Please try to arrive at 5pm to tour the Greek wing with HAWC and HPSI and we will go at 6pm for the lecture at the Rubloff Auditorium of the Art Museum. We have held spaces so we can sit together. Enjoy the full program with access to all main activities.

General Admission

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1785011600/wysiwyg/j68rwwe8cvl2mu7l9dj9.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; max-width: 100%; position: relative; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">The Hellenic American Women&#39;s Council (HAWC) and the Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois (HPSI) warmly invite you to join us for a special evening celebrating the enduring legacy of ancient Greece through art, history, and literature. &nbsp; An Evening at the Art Institute of ChicagoThursday, August 27 5:00pm A Journey Through the Art of Ancient GreeceThe evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with a community gathering at the Art Institute of Chicago. Participants are encouraged to meet at the museum&#39;s main entrance at 5:00 p.m. or, if arriving later, proceed directly to the Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art, where members of HPSI and HAWC Great Lakes will be touring together.&nbsp; The group tour will be led by Dr. Karen Ros, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Karen Ros earned her A.M. and Ph.D. in Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Michigan and her A.B. in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology from Bryn Mawr College. She has participated in archaeological excavations throughout Greece, Italy, and Tunisia and regularly teaches courses on Greek and Roman art and archaeology. Dr. Ros is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago. Together, participants will explore one of the finest collections of ancient Mediterranean art in the Midwest, including:<ul fr-original-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Early Greek pottery, marble sculpture, and bronze works</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Roman portrait sculpture, carved gemstones, ancient glass, and decorative arts</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Byzantine mosaics, icons, goldwork, and religious treasures that trace the continuation of Hellenic culture through the Eastern Roman Empire</li></ul>The galleries provide a fitting introduction to Homer&#39;s Odyssey, allowing visitors to experience the artistic traditions that shaped one of the greatest literary works in history.&nbsp; This informal tour is an opportunity to reconnect with the artistic world that inspired Homer and shaped Western civilization. &nbsp; 6:00pm Featured Art Institute PresentationAt 6:00 p.m., attendees will proceed together to the Rubloff Auditorium, where seating has been reserved so members of HPSI and HAWC Great Lakes may enjoy the presentation together. Art Institute Discussion: Homer&#39;s&nbsp;Odyssey&nbsp;in Art and Popular CultureThe Odyssey,&nbsp;an Ancient Greek epic by the poet Homer, recounts the story of the hero Odysseus and his decade-long journey home from war. Three thousand years later, the tale continues to inspire artists, authors, playwrights, and filmmakers around the world. We will join Dr. Lisa Ayla &Ccedil;akmak, Mary and Michael Jaharis Chair and Curator of Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium at the Art Institute of Chicago and Ginia Shubik Sweeney, director of interpretation, as they discuss the influence of this iconic story on works from the Art Institute&rsquo;s collection and consider the ongoing resonances it has with contemporary audiences. &nbsp;The program is generously sponsored by the Boshell Family Foundation. &nbsp;Her presentation explores how Homer&#39;s Odyssey has inspired artists for centuries while examining universal themes of journey, identity, resilience, homecoming, and cultural memory that continue to resonate today. &nbsp; Lisa Ayla &Ccedil;akmak Mary and Michael Jaharis Chair and Curator of Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium, Art Institute of ChicagoDr. &Ccedil;akmak joined the Art Institute in 2020 after serving for a decade at the Saint Louis Art Museum, where she was most recently the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Associate Curator. Her scholarship focuses on the art and material culture of the ancient Mediterranean, making this a wonderful opportunity to gain new perspectives on Homer&#39;s timeless epic and its influence on art through the centuries. Ginia Shubik Seeney, director of interpretation at the Art Institute of Chicago, develops tools that connect visitors with works of art. She works closely with teams across the museum to present engaging narratives in the galleries, with the goals of sparking revelation, fostering close ties between people, and providing a tangible understanding of the past.&nbsp; Prior to joining the Art Institute in 2018, Ginia worked at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta. She holds an MA from Williams College and a BA from Columbia University, both in art history.&nbsp; After 7:00pm - Continue the Conversation at Avli on the ParkFollowing the program, guests are invited to continue the evening with parea beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. at Avli on The Park Restaurant 180 N Field Blvd just north of the Art Institute. Those planning to join the gathering are welcome to park at Avli beginning at 4:45 p.m. and walk to the Art Institute. Post event, dinner and refreshments will be available for individual purchase. Note parking pass must be stamped by Avli for discounted rate and stay must not exceed four hours. Learn more about the event: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.artic.edu/events/6499/conversation-homers-odyssey-in-art-and-popular-culture" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.artic.edu/events/6499/conversation-homers-odyssey-in-art-and-popular-culture</a>Explore the Greek Collection: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.artic.edu/collection?department_titles=Arts%20of%20Greece,%20Rome,%20and%20Byzantium" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.artic.edu/collection?department_titles=Arts%20of%20Greece,%20Rome,%20and%20Byzantium</a>Whether you are passionate about Greek history, archaeology, mythology, art, or simply enjoy lifelong learning, we hope you&#39;ll join us for an inspiring evening celebrating the civilization whose stories continue to shape our world.We look forward to seeing you there!Warm regards,Hellenic American Women&#39;s Council (HAWC) &nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="//www.hawcnet.org" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">www.hawcnet.org</a>&nbsp; email hawcgreatlakes@gmail.com Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois (HPSI) &nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="//www.hpsi1925.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">www.hpsi1925.org</a>&nbsp; email hawcboard@gmail.comJoin HAWC and HPSI for an evening at the Art Institute exploring how Homer&rsquo;s Odyssey appears in art and popular culture. Together, we&rsquo;ll look at works that reflect themes of journey, identity, and home through a Hellenic lens 🎨. This program supports HAWC&rsquo;s mission to preserve Hellenic heritage and foster thoughtful dialogue across generations. Please complete the questions to confirm your attendance and help us plan a meaningful experiences for our community.

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1785011600/wysiwyg/j68rwwe8cvl2mu7l9dj9.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" />The Hellenic American Women's Council (HAWC) and the Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois (HPSI) warmly invite you to join us for a special evening celebrating the enduring legacy of ancient Greece through art, history, and literature.   An Evening at the Art Institute of ChicagoThursday, August 27 5:00pm A Journey Through the Art of Ancient GreeceThe evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with a community gathering at the Art Institute of Chicago. Participants are encouraged to meet at the museum's main entrance at 5:00 p.m. or, if arriving later, proceed directly to the Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art, where members of HPSI and HAWC Great Lakes will be touring together.  The group tour will be led by Dr. Karen Ros, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Karen Ros earned her A.M. and Ph.D. in Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Michigan and her A.B. in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology from Bryn Mawr College. She has participated in archaeological excavations throughout Greece, Italy, and Tunisia and regularly teaches courses on Greek and Roman art and archaeology. Dr. Ros is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago. Together, participants will explore one of the finest collections of ancient Mediterranean art in the Midwest, including:<ul><li>Early Greek pottery, marble sculpture, and bronze works</li><li>Roman portrait sculpture, carved gemstones, ancient glass, and decorative arts</li><li>Byzantine mosaics, icons, goldwork, and religious treasures that trace the continuation of Hellenic culture through the Eastern Roman Empire</li></ul>The galleries provide a fitting introduction to Homer's Odyssey, allowing visitors to experience the artistic traditions that shaped one of the greatest literary works in history.  This informal tour is an opportunity to reconnect with the artistic world that inspired Homer and shaped Western civilization.   6:00pm Featured Art Institute PresentationAt 6:00 p.m., attendees will proceed together to the Rubloff Auditorium, where seating has been reserved so members of HPSI and HAWC Great Lakes may enjoy the presentation together. Art Institute Discussion: Homer's Odyssey in Art and Popular CultureThe Odyssey, an Ancient Greek epic by the poet Homer, recounts the story of the hero Odysseus and his decade-long journey home from war. Three thousand years later, the tale continues to inspire artists, authors, playwrights, and filmmakers around the world. We will join Dr. Lisa Ayla Çakmak, Mary and Michael Jaharis Chair and Curator of Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium at the Art Institute of Chicago and Ginia Shubik Sweeney, director of interpretation, as they discuss the influence of this iconic story on works from the Art Institute’s collection and consider the ongoing resonances it has with contemporary audiences.  The program is generously sponsored by the Boshell Family Foundation.  Her presentation explores how Homer's Odyssey has inspired artists for centuries while examining universal themes of journey, identity, resilience, homecoming, and cultural memory that continue to resonate today.   Lisa Ayla Çakmak Mary and Michael Jaharis Chair and Curator of Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium, Art Institute of ChicagoDr. Çakmak joined the Art Institute in 2020 after serving for a decade at the Saint Louis Art Museum, where she was most recently the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Associate Curator. Her scholarship focuses on the art and material culture of the ancient Mediterranean, making this a wonderful opportunity to gain new perspectives on Homer's timeless epic and its influence on art through the centuries. Ginia Shubik Seeney, director of interpretation at the Art Institute of Chicago, develops tools that connect visitors with works of art. She works closely with teams across the museum to present engaging narratives in the galleries, with the goals of sparking revelation, fostering close ties between people, and providing a tangible understanding of the past.  Prior to joining the Art Institute in 2018, Ginia worked at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta. She holds an MA from Williams College and a BA from Columbia University, both in art history.  After 7:00pm - Continue the Conversation at Avli on the ParkFollowing the program, guests are invited to continue the evening with parea beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. at Avli on The Park Restaurant 180 N Field Blvd just north of the Art Institute. Those planning to join the gathering are welcome to park at Avli beginning at 4:45 p.m. and walk to the Art Institute. Post event, dinner and refreshments will be available for individual purchase. Note parking pass must be stamped by Avli for discounted rate and stay must not exceed four hours. Learn more about the event: <a href="https://www.artic.edu/events/6499/conversation-homers-odyssey-in-art-and-popular-culture" target="_blank">https://www.artic.edu/events/6499/conversation-homers-odyssey-in-art-and-popular-culture</a>Explore the Greek Collection: <a href="https://www.artic.edu/collection?department_titles=Arts%20of%20Greece,%20Rome,%20and%20Byzantium" target="_blank">https://www.artic.edu/collection?department_titles=Arts%20of%20Greece,%20Rome,%20and%20Byzantium</a>Whether you are passionate about Greek history, archaeology, mythology, art, or simply enjoy lifelong learning, we hope you'll join us for an inspiring evening celebrating the civilization whose stories continue to shape our world.We look forward to seeing you there!Warm regards,Hellenic American Women's Council (HAWC)  <a href="//www.hawcnet.org" target="_blank">www.hawcnet.org</a>  email hawcgreatlakes@gmail.com Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois (HPSI)  <a href="//www.hpsi1925.org" target="_blank">www.hpsi1925.org</a>  email hawcboard@gmail.comJoin HAWC and HPSI for an evening at the Art Institute exploring how Homer’s Odyssey appears in art and popular culture. Together, we’ll look at works that reflect themes of journey, identity, and home through a Hellenic lens 🎨. This program supports HAWC’s mission to preserve Hellenic heritage and foster thoughtful dialogue across generations. Please complete the questions to confirm your attendance and help us plan a meaningful experiences for our community.

Hellenic American Womens Council

HAWC & HPSI at Art Institute: Homer’s Odyssey in Art and Popular Culture

111 S Michigan Ave

General Admission

Free

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