Fifteen years after its initial publication, Edgar Miller and the Handmade Home, by Richard Cahan and Michael Williams, with photographs by Alexander Vertikoff, remains the only book completely dedicated to one of Chicago's most intriguing and prolific artists. With an updated and revised third edition recently published through generous support from the Driehaus Foundation, this talk will highlight what new discoveries have been made about Miller's life and career in the past decade and a half, and speak to the future of Miller's extant artwork and architectural sites in Chicago, and beyond. 

Zac Bleicher is Executive Director of Edgar Miller Legacy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation dedicated to preserving and educating upon the life and work of Chicago Renaissance man Edgar Miller. Bleicher is the leading expert on the artist's work and life, and is also the editor of the new, third edition of Edgar Miller and the Handmade Home. 

Did you know that every year about 300 kinds of birds can be seen in Chicago? Many of these are easy to observe if you know where, when, and how to look for them. Join us for a presentation that describes the bird life that can be experienced in our area and that discusses the basics of bird watching, or “birding.” The presentation will introduce you to the variety of birds that reside in, or visit, our region, some of the best places to go to see birds, and what you need to get started on your birding journey. After the presentation, we’ll step outside to see what migrants are visiting the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens next door.