The Fellowship: The Untold Story of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Fellowship
by Roger Friedland and Harold Zellman
At the December 2025 meeting of the Kelly-McKenna Gallery Art Book Club, members delved into the second half of The Fellowship, reflecting on Frank Lloyd Wright’s work and personality through the lens of the Taliesin Fellowship and the complexities of his legacy. The conversation moved between contemporary art and architecture, while considering Wright’s visionary designs and ethical conflicts embedded in his methods. The group wrestled with the central question of how to appreciate the lasting significance of artistic achievement while fully acknowledging the moral and human complications that made it possible.
Matisse at War
by Christopher C. Gorham
The Kelly-McKenna Book Club found Matisse at War intellectually rich and emotionally resonant, especially in how it redefined Matisse as a complex figure shaped by moral and political upheaval rather than a serene modernist. The group praised its insights into resistance, artistic evolution, and the vital roles women played in his life; however, a discovery was made that surprised everyone.
The Fellowship: The Untold Story of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Fellowship
by Roger Friedland and Harold Zellman
At the November Art Book Club meeting, members discussed the first half of The Fellowship, exploring Frank Lloyd Wright’s visionary architectural ideals alongside the contradictions, control, and emotional complexity of life within the Taliesin Fellowship. The session also covered gallery updates, major art-world headlines, and broader debates about artistic legacy, setting the stage for deeper discussion at the next meeting on December 18.
Art Book Club
Heidi Thompson, the visionary behind ACE Public Relations, brings a thoughtful appreciation for the arts to everything she does. Outside the agency, she dedicates time each month to an art book club with fellow creatives, curators, and collectors.
Each month, the group explores a new title, ranging from the buying and selling of works of art to the rediscovery of Old Masters. After every session, Heidi writes a summary that captures the group’s fascinating discussions, unexpected perspectives, and standout moments. These reflections offer a window into the dynamic artistic dialogue and aesthetic exploration that fuel her creativity and leadership.
We invite you to read along and see how the art world continues to inspire our work every day.
The Painter's Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution
by Zara Anishanslin
In The Painter’s Fire, historian Zara Anishanslin highlights powerful yet often forgotten and marginalized artists who helped shape the ideas behind the American Revolution. In her recent book talk at the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, she demonstrated that the fight for independence occurred not only on battlefields but also through paintings, poems, and creative acts that challenged the system in everyday life.
The Maverick's Museum
by Blake Gopnik
The Maverick’s Museum by Blake Gopnik sparked a rich discussion on Albert Barnes’s unconventional collecting philosophy, progressive social values, and the enduring controversy over the relocation of his foundation. Members also explored connections to current art world issues, including restitution of Nazi-looted art and the evolving role of museums in public education.
Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us
by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross
The Art Book Club’s discussion of Your Brain on Art highlighted the many ways art can enrich our lives, from healing and well-being to everyday joy and connection. What began as a conversation about neuroscience expanded into an inspiring reflection on how creativity can be more intentionally embraced in our routines and communities.
All That Glitters: A Story of Friendship, Fraud, and Fine Art
by Orlando Whitfield
At the Art Book Club’s July gathering, the spotlight was on All That Glitters: A Story of Friendship, Fraud, and Fine Art, a true story of ambition, deception, and high-stakes art deals gone wrong. Book club members discussed shady sales tactics, soaring prices, and the fine line between brilliance and deception in today’s glittering but fragile art world.
The Lost Painting: The Quest for a
Caravaggio Masterpiece
by Jonathan Harr
Jonathan Harr’s The Lost Painting reads like a mystery novel, bringing the behind-the-scenes world of art authentication to life through the search for a lost Caravaggio. The summary explores the pillars of authentication, connoisseurship, provenance, and technical analysis, alongside reflections on Caravaggio’s dramatic use of light and shadow. The book offers a vivid look at how art history, emotion, and detective work intersect.
Fifteen Colonial Thefts: A Guide to Looted African Heritage in Museums
edited by Sela K. Adjei and Yann LeGall
This powerful volume examines the looted African cultural heritage held in Western museums and the ongoing global struggle for restitution. The discussion explored the emotional, ethical, and political complexities of returning stolen artifacts, highlighting how colonial histories continue to shape debates around cultural ownership and justice.
Chasing Beauty
by Natalie Dykstra
Natalie Dykstra’s biography dives into the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a bold and unconventional woman who turned her love of art into one of the most unique museums in the U.S. With the author joining the discussion, the group explored Gardner’s passion, independence, personal struggles, and the still-unsolved mystery of the famous 1990 art heist at her museum.
