“Educate Them Artistically: A Visual History of Humane Education,” the keynote address by Dr. Keri Cronin that launches the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus County Library System’s “Beyond Human” Regional Read, will be presented on Thursday, April 6, 6 p.m., in the Kelly Family Auditorium in the Science Center.
CCCL is partnering with Fredonia English capstone students to explore the topic “Beyond Human: Animals in Literature” in several local libraries during April. Featuring a variety of readings related to animals, Fredonia students and librarians will lead book discussions, panels, writing workshops and other events that explore questions about animal and human agency, empathy and animal sentience, voice and consciousness.
The keynote event, free and open to the public, will highlight the fascinating visual culture of the early animal advocacy movement in the United States.
Dr. Cronin, who is associate professor of Art History and interim chair of Visual Arts at Brock University, Ontario, Canada, will share her research about the artistic and visual legacy of the humane education movement that sought to encourage kindness towards animals. Her presentation about the artistic portrayal of animals complements the reading program’s focus on animals in literature and appeals broadly to readers from across academic disciplines as well as non-specialists, including animal lovers and animal advocates throughout the region.
Drawing on archival sources from the nation’s earliest animal protection agencies, Cronin’s work demonstrates the vibrant visual culture of late 19th and early 20th century campaigns for animal welfare. Cronin, who also serves as chair of the Advisory Council for The Animal Museum (formerly the National Museum of Animals & Society), has a forthcoming book, “Do Not Refuse to Look at These Pictures: Visual Culture and Animal Advocacy, 1875-1914.”
Daniel Reed Library is hosting a display, April 3 to 28, of several images of Cronin’s “Be Kind” exhibit, which features images from the early animal welfare movement – a highly visual and literary campaign that relied heavily on multiple art forms and literature to encourage kindness to animals. The exhibit is presented by The Animal Museum and was curated by Cronin. More information about “Be Kind” is available at Cronin's website.
The keynote and all of the related events are sponsored by the Carnahan Jackson Fund for the Humanities in the Fredonia College Foundation, the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus County Library System and the Fredonia English department, and are free and open to the public.
