This evening from 5:30-7:30pm at the Chester County Art Association, take some time to learn about the impact of war in the 60s with “Voices from the Vietnam War Era: An Informed Community Discussion about America’s Involvement in Southeast Asia” lecture. This lecture, one of five total lectures happening between now and October 29th during the run of the “Art as Change: 1960s Revolutionary Images” exhibition, will provide a social commentary with “a variety of perspectives about one of the most controversial events in American history,” according to their website.
“This discussion will explore the political, military, and especially the human dimensions of a war that forever changed the way Americans thought about themselves and their place in the world” – Chester County Art Association.
Panel Members:
Joe Altimari, Vietnam War Veteran (1969)
Lowell Gardenhour, Indochina War Veteran (1954)
Karl Helicher, Retired Director of Upper Merion Library, former host of Book Chat, and West Chester University alum
Dr. Robert J. Kodosky, West Chester University History Department Chair
John Meicht, Vietnam War Veteran (1966), Vietnam Veterans Against the War
Daravaan Yi, Guidance Counselor, Community College of Philadelphia, survivor of the Cambodia genocide
Moderator: Lawrence Davidson, Veteran member of SDS in the 1960s, West Chester Director of Veteran’s Affairs
I spoke with Wendy Kershner, executive director of the Chester County Art Association, about why this lecture provides a necessary discussion on historical events.
“With help from Richard Chalfant, we organized this lecture in particular because we feel it’s important to portray different viewpoints, both American and international,” Wendy said. “It’s necessary to discuss subjects that have drastically altered our culture, whether or not they’re controversial. The Vietnam War was one of the first times that we became globally involved and saw the ramifications of our actions. And the lecture tonight will also touch on events that led to the Vietnam War, like the Indochina War.”
“These historical, controversial topics all tie back to our ‘Art as Change’ exhibit,” she continued, “and how these themes come alive in art. We want to provide a well-rounded feel for the Vietnam War.”
Additional lectures include “A Social Justice Conversation” on October 19th, “Summer of Love and the Music” on October 24th, and “Knoll: Defining Modern” on October 26th.
To purchase tickets for this lecture tonight, visit CCAA online. There is limited seating, so don’t hesitate!
