Abbott Studio

2nd Sundays, 2-3:30pm. Member $20, Non-member $22 per class

LENGTH: monthly 90-minute class

LEVEL: all

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Each month Susan Overstreet will lead discussions on the intersection of American Political Development and American Artists. Participants will be given a list of books and documents to read before the gathering which will include a short lecture, art of the times on the big screen, followed by questions and conversation. Starting with the Founding for our June event before the Fourth of July, 2026 – we will span the centuries of American Democracy over the course of the next year.

MONTHLY TOPICS:

Sep 13: The Expansion to the West -- This presentation will cover the time period from the Mexican War in 1845 to the start of the Civil War and the art that depicted American life and the growing divide in American identity and the distinct political forces determining the future course of the nation.

Reading: What Hath God Wrought by Daniel Walker Howe

Oct 11: Civil War -- This presentation will cover the Civil War and its aftermath in the 1870sand 1890s. We will discuss the social, technological and political changes that affected art and American identity.

Readings: How the South Won the Civil War byHeather Cox Richardson

Nov 15: Gilded Age

Dec 13: WWI

Jan 10: WWII

Feb 14: Abstract Expressionism

Mar 14: 1960-70s

Apr 11: 1980-2000

May 9: Current times

Jun 13: Current times and beyond

DON'T FORGET: This class is held in the Education Wing.

SAVE: Save $2 on this class by purchasing a membership for only $65 and get discounts on classes and events year-round at the Center.

INSTRUCTOR:

Before pursuing happiness as a full-time artist, Susan Overstreet (BA in International Affairs, George Washington University, MA in American Politics, George Mason University, 2006) taught American Politics and Government, Democracy Theory, Political Theory and Foreign Policy at George Mason University (2004-2008) and Brandeis University as a Teaching Fellow (2008-10).

Susan completed studio work at George Washington University and continued studying fine arts at the Corcoran School of Art and the Art League School of Alexandria. Her work was accepted in many juried competitions in Virginia and now on Cape Cod. Susan has exhibited at The Provincetown Art Museum, Cotuit Center of the Arts, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, and the Cape Cod Museum of Art. She taught art to children in Fairfax Public Schools and served as president of the Springfield Art Guild. Susan has taught at the Cape Cod Museum of Art, Milford Arts Council, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, the Creative Arts Center of Chatham, the PAAM and the Cotuit Center for the Arts. Susan teaches painting, drawing, holds monthly Figure Night and Paint Nights, leads sketching tours, and is available for private lessons. She is represented by Tracy Lindholm Nee in Dennis, MA