Artistic Liberties: Southern Paintings & American Identity

September 18-19, 2026 Winston-Salem, NC

 

September 18-19, 2026
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Early American artists navigated rapidly changing political and social landscapes, while holding a unique responsibility: documenting a nation in flux. As we commemorate America’s semiquincentennial, this seminar will explore the ways that artists in the colonial and early American periods utilized subjects, color, and technique to reflect on an emerging nation and create a burgeoning American identity. 

Please plan to join us in Winston-Salem or online for this two day seminar. Participants will engage in two days of lectures, including a keynote address by Laura Barry, Juli Grainger Senior Curator of Paintings, Drawings, and Sculpture at Colonial Williamsburg, as well as opportunities to participate in pre-conference workshops and an open house of paintings in MESDA’s study galleries.

 

SPEAKERS

Laura Barry, Juli Grainger Senior Curator of Paintings, Drawings, & Sculpture, Colonial Williamsburg

Johanna Brown, Chief Curator, Old Salem Museums & Gardens

Dr. Katherine Gregory, Visiting Assistant Professor of American Art, Wake Forest University

Lea Lane, Curator of the MESDA Collection, Old Salem Museums & Gardens

Nick Powers, Curator of Collections, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley

Elle Shushan, Owner and Independent Scholar, Elle Shushan Fine Portrait Miniatures

Matthew Skic, Director of Collections & Exhibitions, Museum of the American Revolution

William Strollo, Curator of Old Salem and Historic Building Interiors, Old Salem Museums & Gardens

Chris Swan, Senior Conservator of Wooden Artifacts, Colonial Williamsburg

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

Registrants who cancel at least two weeks prior to a program will receive a full refund minus a $50 handling fee.  No refunds will be given for cancellations that occur less than two weeks prior to the event.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts follows the inclement weather policies of Old Salem Museums & Gardens.  When OSMG is closed, the museum is closed as well.  Should this occur, the seminar will be cancelled and refunds will be issued.  For your own protection, please consider travel insurance to cover fees involved with cancelling hotel reservations.