Amelia Island Museum of History Media Release
May 15, 2017 8:00 p.m.
On Friday, May 19, 2017 at 6 p.m. the Amelia Island Museum of History’s 3rd on 3rd lecture series will feature Mallory O’Connor, Professor Emerita at Santa Fe College, in partnership with the Florida Humanities Council. She will speak on the art, travels and contributions of William Bartram to Florida history and natural history.
1739-1823
This lecture explores the art of William Bartram, especially the images that are based on his travels in the Southeast between 1765 and 1775. Working under often extreme conditions, undeterred by raging rivers, wild beasts, exotic diseases and hostile natives, Bartram covered thousands of miles throughout the Southeast and drew, painted and described hundreds of plants and animals, and provided maps and field notes that formed the basis for America’s natural history. O’Connor explores the connection between the fabled Fountain of Youth and the development of Florida as a land where dreams come true and people can reinvent themselves. Works of art-both traditional and popular-provide the framework for an intriguing look into the heart of Florida’s self-image.
Mallory O’Connor is a Professor Emerita of Art History at Santa Fe College. She has been involved in numerous exhibits on Florida, including: Florida. Before Columbus, Opening the Door to a New World: Mark Catesby in La Florida, and The Great Alachua Savanna: A Visual History of Paynes Prairie. Currently, she is working on a book and an art exhibition focusing on the Fountain of Youth in Florida history, mythology and art.