A visionary, self-taught artist who was among the first in the city to see beauty in Chicago’s industrial waterways, James Bolivar Needham (1830-1931) never achieved widespread fame in his lifetime. The Cliff Dwellers’ founders and members, however, appreciated Needham’s perspective and saw him as an example of the artistic innovation unique to Chicago.
Cliff Dwellers AIR and Chicago Maritime Museum curator Madeline Crispwell will walk us through Needham’s life, from his parents’ escape on the Underground Railroad to his connections with artists like Hamlin Garland and Lorado Taft, and will explore questions still to be answered.
Doors open: 5:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:00 p.m.
Program: 7:00 p.m.
Members: $54
Invited Guests: $60
Program only: $20
Please make your reservation for this event NO LATER THAN June 30th.
reservations@cliff-chicago.org 312-922-8080
