Art & Art History Lightning Book Talks

Presented by the Department of Art & Art History, this lightning book talk event presents the work of three distinguished alums—Monica Blackmun Visona, Stacy Jamar Caffrey, and Betsy Streeter. Each alum will deliver a 10-minute presentation on their recent or in-progress book or article, followed by a brief 5-minute discussion, providing a unique opportunity to engage with their latest scholarly and creative work. This event will be moderated by Head Librarian Lindsay King.

Monica Blackmun Visona, AB Art History ’74 | A History of Art in Africa: Third Edition

The field of Africanist art history has shifted over the last fifteen years, as the anthropological studies that previously informed our research are now being increasingly supplemented by archaeological and historical analyses. The contributions of twentieth century African modernists are being acknowledged after decades of scholarly neglect, and exciting new works by painters, sculptors, installation artists, digital artists and designers are now featured on the African continent as well as in art fairs, galleries and museums around the world. Monica’s presentation will illustrate some of the newly discovered and newly created artworks featured in this expanded edition, and will address the challenges of surveying Africa’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary artists in a single publication. This third edition is scheduled for completion in the year following Monica’s retirement from the University of Kentucky in 2026.

Stacy Jamar Caffrey, AB Art History ’85 | The Only Ones Listening: Harriet Martineau and the American Journey that Forged a Radical Reformer

The Only Ones Listening explores the dawn of the abolition and women's rights movements through the lives of two pioneers: British author Harriet Martineau and American lawyer Ellis Gray Loring. Martineau, a hearing-impaired spinster, rose to international fame with her 1832 novellas and became a key figure in shaping public opinion during a pivotal time in U.S. history. Meanwhile, Loring, a Harvard-educated lawyer, helped draft the constitution of the first U.S. anti-slavery society. Together, they navigated a turbulent era, influencing the course of history with their steadfast opposition to slavery.

Betsy Streeter, AB Studio Art ’89 | Best of Brainwaves Volume One: The Fountain of Stuff (2023)

Brainwaves is a single-panel cartoon about the infinite absurdity of everyday life, whether it's the life of a person, a dog, a giraffe, a toaster, or a yam. Volume One: The Fountain of Stuff covers the first 420 collected cartoons in the series, in the order they were drawn, and starting with the very first panels picked up by King Features in the 1990s. Streeter makes fun of technology, consumer culture, pets, bugs, working, cars, space, and just about anything else. During her talk, Streeter plans to share the cartooning art form and comic relief as a way to grapple with the world in a time when things can feel pretty unhumorous.

This event is being held in conjunction with our alum open house event and Stanford Reunion Homecoming.

VISITOR INFORMATION: The Bowes Art & Architecture Library is located on the second floor of McMurtry Building on Stanford campus at 355 Roth Way. Visitor parking is available in designated areas and payment is managed through ParkMobile (free after 4pm, except by the Oval). Alternatively, take the Caltrain to Palo Alto Transit Center and hop on the free Stanford Marguerite Shuttle. If you need a disability-related accommodation or wheelchair access information, please contact Julianne Garcia at juggarci [at] stanford.edu (juggarci[at]stanford[dot]edu). This event is open to Stanford affiliates, alums, and the general public. Admission is free.

Connect with the Department of Art & Art History! Subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.