Fundraiser Event for PRS Building Fund: 40 Original Artworks by J.A. Knapp

Benefit Fundraiser for PRS Building Fund:

First-Ever Display of 40 Original Artworks by J.A. Knapp for The Secret Teachings of All Ages

The original artworks painted in the mid-1920s by illustrator John Augustus Knapp (1853-1938) for The Secret Teachings of All Ages, are among the most glorious esoteric and metaphysical paintings ever created: visions of Atlantis, the Oracle of Delphi, the Emerald Tablet, the Philosopher’s Stone, the Hand of Mysteries and more. Even high-quality reproductions can’t convey the mystery and beauty of the original watercolor-and-tempera artworks, which remain in pristine condition with stunningly fresh colors.

For the first time since they were painted by Knapp nearly one hundred years ago, as a One-Night Only Display to raise funds for the End of the Year Giving Campaign for the PRS Building Fund: all 40 original artworks in the PRS collection for The Secret Teachings of All Ages will be exhibited in the Library together!

Our enormous thanks to Virginia Warner and the Virginia S. Warner Foundation for providing a generous grant to have these rare artworks conserved and framed by Digital Fusion.

For fans and admirers of esoteric artwork and symbolism, and The Secret Teachings of All Ages, this is (literally) a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these breathtaking paintings in person. As a wonderful historical note: Knapp worked in the 1920s painting poster art and silent film title cards for the Thomas Ince Film Co. in what is now Culver City. It was discovered during recent preparation for framing that one of the artworks was painted on the reverse of a silent film title card – and that work has been framed so that both the front art and the reverse card are visible, for the first time since it was created in the mid-1920s a century ago!

In addition to the display of the paintings, the Benefit will feature short presentations on Knapp’s artwork by artist, writer, exhibit curator, art critic and former PRS Board Member Michael Pearce, artist and Surrealist Study Group founder Amanda Maciel Antunes (aka dama) and writer, teacher and PRS Contributing Artist Stephen Reedy, as well as a violin performance in the Library by noted musician Savannah Jo Lack.

To commemorate this first-ever public display of the Knapp paintings, PRS has produced a limited edition, hand-numbered poster based on Knapp’s original art.

Viewing times are as follows:

7:00PM

7:45PM

NOTE: The presentations by Michael Pearce, Amanda Maciel Antunes, and Stephen Reedy will take place at 7:45 PM in the Auditorium. Tickets to either viewing session will admit you to the presentations at 7:45 PM.

This event is FREE for PRS MEMBERS. You must RSVP to reserve a space, on a first come first served basis. If you’re not a member, please consider joining to help PRS keep presenting wonderful cultural programs like this!

General Admission: $30 (exhibit only)

General Admission + Ltd. Edition Poster: $50

Ltd. Edition Poster Only: $30 / Members’ Price for Poster: $20

Light refreshments will be served in the PRS Courtyard outside the Library during the event.

Bios:

Illustrator & artist John Augustus Knapp (1853-1938) is best known today for his collaborations with Manly P. Hall on the pioneering encyclopedia of esoteric symbols and traditions, The Secret Teachings of All Ages(1928) and The Revised New Art Tarot Deck (1929). Knapp’s breathtaking illustrations for The Secret Teachings – gorgeous visions of Atlantean temples, Delphic oracles and Mithraic gods, swirling with color and arcane symbols – are among the most admired works in esoteric art in the 20th century. Similarly, his designs for the Knapp-Hall Tarot have become classics in the field for their medieval-inspired simplicity and beauty. A native of Kentucky, born before the Civil War broke out, Knapp was well into his 60s when he met the much-younger Manly Hall and began working together on Knapp’s journal The All-Seeing Eye and other books.

Michael Pearce is a dynamic writer, exhibit curator, and art critic. He is an active and enthusiastic participant in the conversation about 21st century art and its roots, especially contemporary imaginative realism. He has published dozens of articles about art and artists, and wrote a book about art and neuroscience titled Art in the Age of Emergence. He is a champion of art that emerges from popular culture and shapes the spirit of the age. His book Kitsch, Propaganda and the American Avant-garde - the story of the invention of the American avant-garde - will be published later this year. He is Professor of Art at California Lutheran University.

Amanda Maciel Antunes (aka dama) is a Brazilian artist based in Los Angeles. Her autodidactic and transdisciplinary practice merges language and durational performance to create multi-media and site specific projects. She works in collaboration with public libraries, nature and communal spaces, reflecting on the selective nature of memory, inherent language and anthropological references as points of departure. She has exhibited her work nationally and internationally and had poetry and short stories published in various journals. Most recent select exhibitions and performances took place at Galeria Vermelho, Galeria Chão, Wignall Museum, Track16 Gallery, 18th Street Arts Center, Oregon Contemporary, Brand Art Library, ArtShareLA, and Hansell Gallery. Upcoming exhibitions include her first museum installation at Craft Contemporary in Los Angeles in early 2025. Her first book titled was published in the Spring of 2023 by HEXENTEXTE. She’s also a librarian at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles and founder/curator of the Surrealist Study Group (SSG) at PRS Library, focusing on intergenerational and cross-cultural women's histories and bridging connections.

Stephen Reedy is a longtime student and sometimes teacher at PRS. He strives to bring a relatable and energetic approach to exploring the basics of Symbolism and comparative Philosophy. His other life is in the film and advertising industries, where he has worked with companies like Masterclass, Blumhouse and Warner Brothers.

Savannah Jo Lack began her professional career as an orchestral violinist but soon abandoned that course to play in bands, tour Australia and make her own music. She was awarded a Golden Fiddle and a Churchill Fellowship for her work in Australia before moving to the US in 2007.

After graduating with a masters in film composition from USC, Savannah was invited to be a part of the prestigious Sundance composer’s program in Summer 2022. She worked on the score for the movie Filip, directed by Michal Kwiecinski, (to be released Feb 2023) and composed the music for Tiger Ji’s tragi-comedy, Death and Ramen (2023 release) staring Bobby Lee and Matt Jones. Savannah composed music for the Emmy nominated documentary, Betrayal - the life and art of Rudolf Bauer and for the play, Bauer, by Lauren Gunderson which premiered off-Broadway in 2015. Savannah has worked as a soloist on feature and short film scores, (Killing Ground, Exitus Roma, Empyrean) . She has composed two albums with award-winning producer, Robot Koch. Tracks from these albums have been placed in major advertising campaigns, (Sony Bravia) and tv shows (Night Shift). Her latest record with Robot, ‘Otherwhere’ was recorded with the Deutsche Kammerorchester on the Neue Meister label.

ACCESSIBILITY

PRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to [email protected] before showtime and we will be happy to assist you.

REFUND POLICIES

All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges for PRS events, except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test.

In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event.

PARKING

Limited parking is available onsite at PRS in both the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east) and back lot (entry from first alley way, off Griffith Park Blvd. from intersection with Los Feliz Blvd.), as well as street parking on Griffith Park Blvd. and (after 7 PM) on Los Feliz Blvd. We encourage attendees to consider carpooling, walking or biking to events if possible, and please be considerate of our Los Feliz neighbors when parking, many thanks.

PRS EVENT POLICIES

• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
• Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.
• We encourage you to arrive at least 30 min. before the scheduled event start time to find parking, enjoy the Bookstore and take your seats.
• Please turn off all mobile devices before the show. Talking and texting are not allowed during the events.
• No filming, audio recording or mobile phone recording of events, screenings, concerts or other programs by audience members is allowed without permission.
• There is no smoking permitted on PRS grounds.
• We strongly encourage guests to wear masks to PRS events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• PRS allows Service Animals into the facility under ADA and state guidelines. For further details please visit www.ADA.gov. No animals permitted whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, under ADA guidelines and CA Health Code.
• Please do not bring outside food or drink into PRS events.
• Weapons are strictly prohibited at PRS events.

Host or Publisher The Philosophical Research Society