Art Lectures and Presentations
My experience as a speaker dates back to my college days and my political activism. Some years after graduating I began to deliver presentations to community groups on the topics of astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration. This was done initially as a spokesperson for the Northern Illinois Space Advocacy, the Planetary Studies Foundation, and the Chicago Society for Space Studies. I have also had the good fortune to have been able to develop and teach a number of courses for Chicago's Adler Planetarium, including a course on astronomical image processing and astronomical art. In 2002 I was selected to be a Solar System Ambassador for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and continue to provide presentations dealing with planetary science.
Jim Plaxco narrating the Blast Off concert performed by the Music Institute of Chicago Orchestra
Some of the venues for my past presentations include:
MuseumsAdler Planetarium, Chicago ILCernan Space Center, Triton College, River Grove IL Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago IL PSF Henize Science Center, Crystal Lake IL |
SchoolsCampanelli Public School, Schaumburg ILDa Vinci Academy, Elgin IL Eisenhower Junior High School, Hoffman Estates IL Harper College, Palatine IL Kennedy High School, Chicago IL Prairie Ridge High School, Crystal Lake IL |
LibrariesHelen M. Plum Memorial Library, Lombard ILHinsdale Public Library, Hinsdale, IL Morton Grove Public Library, Morton Grove, IL Niles Public Library, Niles IL Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg IL Wauconda Library, Wauconda IL |
Conventions and ConferencesCapricon Science Fiction ConventionDuckon Science Fiction Convention International Space Development Conference Midwest Space Development Conference Musecon To Be CONtinued Science Fiction Convention Windycon Science Fiction Convention Worldcon World Science Fiction Convention |
OtherBoys Scout Troop 67, Northbrook ILED/CAS/SSC Societies of IEEE, Motorola, Schaumburg, IL Fox Valley IEEE, IIT Rice Campus, Wheaton IL Friendship Village Men's Club, Schaumburg IL Hanover Township Senior Center, Bartlett, IL Harper College Astronomy Day, Palatine IL |
OtherLake County Astronomical Society, Deerfield ILMusic Institute of Chicago, Evanston IL Naperville Astronomical Association, Naperville IL Northwest Suburban Astronomers, Hoffman Estates IL Pixel Camera Club, Schaumburg IL Skokie Valley Astronomers, Riverwoods, IL |
As my art became an increasingly integral part of my life, I began to give presentations that tied together my interests in art, space, astronomy, and computer graphics. Following is a list of my lectures that relate to art or which would be useful to other artists. The length of each lecture/presentation can be tailored to a group's particular needs. If you are a representative of a community organization, civic group, library, etc. and would like to book me for a presentation, please click the link below to send me an email.
Index of Lectures/Presentations
For additional information about each presentation, click the presentation's title link. You can also download a PDF summary of the presentations: The Presentations, Lectures, and Classes of Jim Plaxco PDF (Note: if you are using the Firefox browser, it defaults to using its own internal PDF viewer, over-riding any Adobe Reader plugin you may have installed. The Firefox viewer has multiple issues and should not be used. Consult Firefox documentation to fix this issue.)
| Category | Description and Link to lecture / presentation detail. |
|---|---|
| Astronomical Art | Art of AstronomyA review of the history of astronomical art. Category: astronomical art |
| Astronomical Art | Astronomical Image Processing with NASA and your PCA tutorial on astronomical and planetary image processing. Category: astronomical art, instructional |
| Astronomical Art | Hubble's UniverseA look at the Hubble Space Telescope, its astronomical images, and discoveries. Category: astronomy, astronomical art |
| Astronomical Art | Imaging MarsAn overview of planetary image processing as it relates to NASA robotic missions to Mars. Category: astronomical art |
| Computer Art | The Beauty of Algorithmic ArtA visual tour of algorithmic art. Category: digital art |
| Computer Art | Designing Algorithmic Art: From Concept to RealizationA tutorial-oriented look at the creative design process used to create algorithmic art. Category: digital art |
| Computer Art | Algorithmic Art: Where Art, Computers, and Math CollideA look at algorithmic art and its history. Category: digital art |
| Computer Art | Computer Art, Digital Art, New Media ArtThe exploding popularity of art created with the aid of digital devices and the continual invention of new means of creative use of computing technology means that this field of art is ever changing. This presentation provides an overview of the rapidly growing field of new media art, and the associated terminology. |
| Computer Art | Creating Digital Spirographs and Harmonographs with ProcessingA one session class on how to create digital spirographs and harmonographs using the Processing programming language. In addition to the lecture component, students are provided with model programs to explore and keep. |
| Computer Art | Processing for Artists and PhotographersAn introduction to the Processing platform for artists and photographers. Category: digital art, instructional |
| Digital Art | The Agony and Ecstasy of Being A Digital ArtistA first person account of the unique challenges and rewards of being a digital artist. Category: digital art |
| Digital Art | Live ArtA presentation and live demonstration of audio-driven art creation. Category: digital art |
| Space Art | The National Space Society Space Settlement Art ContestAn inside look at the NSS Space Settlement Art Contest. Category: space art |
| Space Art | Art and the Exploration of SpaceA look at space art, its development and uses in the realm of space exploration. Category: space art |
| Web Development | Building an Online Presence: The Internet for Artists and PhotographersAn instructional presentation for artists and photographers on how to create a presence on the Internet and how to market that presence. |
| Web Development | Instagram and Pinterest for Artists and PhotographersA tutorial presentation for artists and photographers on how to use Instagram and Pinterest to promote your work. |
| Web Development | Search Engine Optimization for Artists and Photographers ClassA tutorial presentation for artists and photographers on using SEO (search engine optimization) to improve their search engine ranking. |
| Web Development | Social Media for Artists and Photographers ClassA tutorial presentation for artists and photographers on using social media to network and promote your art and photography. |