Georgia O'Keeffe: The Brightness of Life, Film Screening & Discussion

The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society and Preservation Piedmont present Georgia O’Keeffe: the Brightness of Light, a feature length documentary on the life and art of one of America’s icons. O’Keeffe is widely revered as the “Mother of American Modernism” and was one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. What is not widely known is that she spent several summers in Charlottesville in the early 20th century that would prove to be life-changing. O’Keeffe’s family rented the house at 1212 Wertland Street and her mother ran a boarding house for UVA students there from 1909 until 1916. O’Keeffe had not painted in four years, but after taking a summer school art class at UVA she again took up her brushes…and would within a few years become famous for her paintings of flowers, bones and the beauty of nature.

This feature documentary stars Claire Danes as the voice of O’Keeffe, with narration by Hugh Dancy. It was written and directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker Paul Wagner and produced by Ellen Casey Wagner.

Following a screening of the film, there will be a discussion with the filmmakers, Paul and Ellen Wagner, and University of Virginia Professor Emerita in Art History Elizabeth Hutton Turner.

Guests with rooftop reception tickets are invited to join us upstairs after the film and discussion.

Host or Publisher Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society