News and Events
John Waters: American Pictures Distinguished Lecture Series
March 21, 2009
Renowned film director John Waters delivered the first talk of the 2009 American Pictures Distinguished Lecture Series before a standing-room-only audience at the Smithsonian. The series, a co-production of Washington College, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery, pairs great works of art with leading figures of contemporary American culture. Each talk features an eminent writer, artist, critic or historian who chooses a single, powerful image and investigates its meanings, revealing how artworks reflect American identity and inspire creativity in many different fields. Waters chose a work by the abstract expressionist Cy Twombly, "Letter of Resignation." Some 150 Washington College students, faculty, alumni, and other guests attended, along with hundreds of members of the general public.
For information on the rest of the series, which continues until April 26, visit http://starrcenter.washcoll.edu. For reserved tickets and/or information on the free buses from Chestertown, contact Joan Smith at the Starr Center, jsmith7@washcoll.edu; 410-810-7165.
Click to enlarge photos.
The crowd awaits Waters in the auditorium of the Smithsonian's Reynolds Center.
Hundreds of members of the general public waited in line for seats, some for more than three hours. (Foreground: James Eaton, professor of psychiatry at George Washington University.) Washington College affiliates could reserve tickets, however.
The Starr Center's Jill Ogline Titus checked in students.
Kate Livie, Meghan Livie '09, Jenifer Endicott and Titus.
Patty and David Tipson, President Baird Tipson, and Doug Taggart '09.
Starr Center advisory board member Steve Clemons with his husband, political science professor Andrew Oros.
National Portrait Gallery Director emeritus Marc Pachter, dressed in white tie and tails for the annual Gridiron Club dinner later that evening.
Former Washington College first ladies Libby Cater Halaby and Debby Toll; Pachter; and Washington College President emeritus John Toll.
Professor of Art and Art History Donald McColl, Marc Pachter, and Adam Goodheart, Director of the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience.
Washington College students await Waters' appearance. Top row: Brian Gamble '10, Hoitt McAllister '12, Preston Hildebrand '12, Judith Klause '10, Molly O'Connell '10, Benjy Duke '10, Joshua Ackerman '09. Bottom row: Caroline Perry '10, James Schelberg '11, Rebecca Davis '09.
Washington, D.C. art collector Henry Thaggert.
National Portrait Gallery curator Amy Henderson welcomes the audience.
Goodheart, who is the director of the American Pictures series, introduces John Waters.
Waters, known for such films as "Pink Flamingos" and "Hairspray," delivered an original, hourlong talk/performance he had written for the occasion.
Waters and Goodheart chat backstage after the event.
Waters talks with Jim Schelberg '11 in the museum courtyard.
Waters poses with students from this semester's "American Pictures" course taught by McColl and Goodheart. Class members attend all four of the Smithsonian events and meet the speakers.
Waters and the students mug for the camera, before heading off to mingle over drinks at the Hotel Monaco.