Local art representatives, students and appreciators of the arts joined together in downtown Hammond to learn about the similarities between visual arts and language arts  historic Britain. 

On Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m., the Hammond Regional Arts Center continued to present their Lets Talk Series. 

Dr. David Hanson, professor and English Department Head at the university discussed the similarities between the art of the 18th and 19th centuries and their qualities related to poetry in Britain. Based on picturing and reading landscapes, he explained how artists and amateurs of the time were able to use poetic language to relate to both realistic paintings and paintings describing myths. 

Dr. Hanson used many examples of the landscape paintings such as 1600s painting by Claude Lorrain, “Apollo and the Muses on Pannassus” and 1700s painting by Richard Wilson, “Tivoli and the Campagna with a Man and Woman.” He compared the paintings to poets such as John Dyer and John Constable. 

One poet’s work is based on realism, and the other is based on myths. Hanson stated that both poets can use their poetic language to relate to already existing paintings.

Both university students and staff attended the event and showed great enthusiasm about their learning experience at the gallery.

“This event was very interesting,” said Sarah Starkey, a junior art major. “I feel like it enriched me culturally. It helped me to realize the parallel between the visual arts and language arts. It was cool to see familiar paintings and taking a deeper look into their history and how they connect with poetry, to break apart the painting and take a different approach of analyzing it.”

The audience felt that Dr. Hanson presented his information in a new and mind opening way. 

“I thought it was really interesting and that David did an excellent job,” said Eric Johnson, Director of Sims Memorial Library. “I have heard David speak before, and he always seems to open my mind to new ideas and information. He brings the information in an exciting way I would have never thought of, and he is so knowledgeable about so many things.”

The Lets Talk Art Series will continue with its events throughout the year, on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. at the university Contemporary Art Gallery. On Monday, Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. at HRAC, Mark Landis will be presenting “Film Viewing: Art and Craft.” 

“This is the eighth year we have continued with the Lets Talk Art Series here at the galleries,” said Johnson. “It is amazing to see the different topics we get with Lets Talk Art, from general to specific, from events to art. We try to appeal to all taste in the arts.”