Lunch and Learn series presents "Literature: Prairie Visions, Prairie Voices"

“Central Illinois: Patchwork of Creative Minds”, a thought provoking three session educational series examining creative expression that has flourished in the heartland of Illinois, will continue April 21 at the University of Illinois Springfield’s Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Rooms C/D. Over the lunch hour attendees will hear presentations by two experts and enjoy a delicious hot buffet luncheon available at 11:30 a.m. The presentations are from 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. Moderator for the series is William Furry, Director of the Illinois State Historical Society. There is a charge for lunch, but the presentations are free and open to the public.

The topic to be addressed on April 21 is “Literature: Prairie Visions, Prairie Voices”. Dr. Barbara Burkhardt, UIS Associate professor of English will make a presentation “The Past is Ever Present: William Maxwell and Logan County, IL”. Dr. Burkhardt is the author of a much celebrated biography of Maxwell, William Maxwell: A Literary Life, University of Illinois Press (2005), paperback (2008). Dr. Dennis Camp, Faculty Emeritus of English and noted Vachel Lindsay scholar will make a presentation entitled, “All About U.” Camp is President of the Vachel Lindsay Association and is the author of a forthcoming, three-volume biography of Lindsay.

The series will end on May 19 with the topic “Architecture: Backyard Barns and Prairie Cathedrals.” Presenters include Larry Kanfer, award-winning Champaign, Illinois photographic artist and journalist, whose recent book is Barns of Illinois. Floyd Mansberger, Director of Fever River Research that specializes in cultural resource management projects associated with historic properties, will report on recent archeological discoveries in the Lincoln Home neighborhood that provide a retrospective on this 150th anniversary of the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency.

Paid reservations are required for the luncheon by April 14. The cost is $20 per person for lunch and the presentations. Pre-registration is also requested from those not purchasing the lunch, but who wish to attend the presentations. For more information and to register, visit www.uiaa.org/uis/patchwork or contact the Office of UIS Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or alumni@uis.edu. Sponsors are the UIS Alumni SAGE Society, the Illinois State Historical Society and the Office of UIS Chancellor.