Visiting minds. Lasting influence.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (SAIC) Visiting Artists Program (VAP) is pleased to announce its spring 2015 schedule. Join us for one of the city's leading public forums on the presentation and contemplation of contemporary art, design, and scholarship. We are honored to have the following individuals visit SAIC and share their expertise with the SAIC and Chicago communities. 

For more information, visit the program's website. 


Spring 2015 lecture series 

Wafaa Bilal
Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series
Thursday, February 5, 6pm
The Art Institute of Chicago, Rubloff Auditorium, 230 South Columbus Drive
Distinguished SAIC alum and Iraqi-born artist Wafaa Bilal (MFA 2003) is renowned for provoking dialogue about international politics and internal dynamics through the Internet, robotics, and photographic mobile mapping. Presented in collaboration with SAIC's Office of Alumni Relations.

Christiane Baumgartner
Monday, February 23, 6pm
SAIC Columbus Auditorium, 280 South Columbus Drive
German artist Christiane Baumgartner creates monochrome woodcuts from video stills to explore the convergence of speed and standstill along with bringing experience and weight to otherwise unexperienced moments.

Arlene Shechet
Monday, March 9, 6pm
SAIC Columbus Auditorium, 280 South Columbus Drive
New York-based artist Arlene Shechet challenges traditional ceramic techniques and pushes the boundaries of shape, surface, color, and texture through her corporeal and suggestive work.

Graham Pullin
Monday, March 16, 6pm
SAIC Columbus Auditorium, 280 South Columbus Drive
Designer, researcher, and author of Design Meets Disability, Graham Pullin has pioneered expressive communication tools for people who cannot speak and radical new materials for prosthetic hands.

Daniel Sousa
Thursday, April 9, 6pm
Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 North State Street
2014 Academy Award-nominated animator Daniel Sousa employs puppets, collage, and hand-drawn characters in tales of memory, perception, and the struggle between the intellect, unconscious, and unknown. Presented in collaboration with SAIC's Department of Film, Video, New Media, and Animation's Conversations at the Edge series. Click here for tickets.

Natalie Chanin
Tuesday, April 21, 6pm
SAIC Columbus Auditorium, 280 South Columbus Drive
Natalie Chanin is the owner and designer of Alabama Chanin, a lifestyle company based in Alabama that produces well-designed and thoughtfully made sustainable goods handmade by a group of local artisans.


VAP online
In addition to making their appearances open to the public, SAIC presents many Visiting Artists Program lectures as audio podcasts online here. Recent presenters include Irene Hofmann, Lewis Hyde, and Anab Jain. Join the conversation by following VAP on Facebook or by signing up for its eNewsletter. 


About the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
A leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees and post-baccalaureate programs to nearly 3,200 students from around the globe. 

Originaly published by art&education