Kentuck Knob to host fireside lecture series in March
CHALK HILL – In anticipation of the arrival of spring in the Laurel Highlands, a timely lecture series is slated to take place at Frank Lloyd Wright’s House on Kentuck Knob in Chalk Hill. The series titled, “The Nature of Kentuck Knob: Fireside Lecture Series,” examines in depth the integral and unique relationship between a Frank Lloyd Wright building and its surroundings.
Each talk will cover various aspects of Wright’s architecture in the context of landscape and garden design, as illustrated by Kentuck Knob and other homes designed by Wright.
Richard Liberto, noted Pittsburgh horticulturist, landscape designer and student of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, will present the horticultural aspect of all three talks, speaking to the principles and philosophies behind the landscapes that surround Kentuck Knob and other Wright houses.
The first lecture, “Understanding the Architecture and the Landscape,” which takes place Saturday, March 8, will feature Charles Rosenblum, Pittsburgh writer, critic, art and architectural historian.
Together, Liberto and Rosenblum will explore the USONIAN house, how it relates to its site and what makes the house on Kentuck Knob so extraordinary both inside and out.
The second lecture, “USONIAN Architecture and the Arts & Crafts Garden,” is scheduled for Saturday, March 22.
Gerald Morosco, Pittsburgh architect and former Taliesin Fellow, will join Liberto to address the arts and crafts movement of the early 1900s and how it influenced Wright’s USONIAN concepts, house, garden and landscape design.
Nancy Mahaney, Kentuck Knob curator, will collaborate with Liberto for the third and final lecture, “The Naturalistic Landscape: Man and Nature,” on Saturday, April 5.
This discussion will focus on the organic quality of Wright’s architecture and how his work, like the naturalistic landscape, celebrates the relationship between buildings, nature and people.
All programs in the series are scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. and will include ample opportunity for guests to ask questions and to experience Kentuck Knob at their leisure.
Refreshments will be served. The lectures and slide presentations will be set up in the living room at Kentuck Knob, so seating is limited.
Call 724-329-1901 for reservations or information.