KJ’S LUNCH AND LEARN SERIES
KJ’s Lunch and Learn Series will feature a variety of presentations by distinguished speakers, artists, and performers, offering a spectrum of topics to explore.
Each session will be held on the second Wednesday of the month (September to November 2025 and January to May 2026) in our Carriage House and participants have the option to bring their own bag lunch or place an order in advance with KJ for a boxed lunch prepared by Washington Street Catering (menus vary monthly, dietary restriction options available).
Every session includes lunch being served from 12:00pm-1:00pm, with a presentation from 1:00-2:30pm.
Let’s embark on a journey of exploration and learning, where art and culture are in perfect harmony!
The Old Man: His Life and Legacy with Inez McDermott
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Lunch: 12:00-1:00pm | Presentation: 1:00-2:30pm
When the Old Man of the Mountain fell from his perch high above Franconia Notch, on May 3rd, 2003, it made international news. Many in New Hampshire and beyond responded as though mourning a beloved public figure. This program presents the “story” of the Old Man and examines the ways that public perceptions of the Profile played a role in shaping and establishing New Hampshire’s identity, both symbolically and physically. We will discuss the stories of the many people who played a part in the Old Man, from the risk-taking mountaineers and engineers who kept the ledges in place for so many years, to the school children who gave their pennies to help protect the forest around him. Participants will be encouraged to tell stories of their own encounters with this iconic symbol as we discuss why these granite ledges–the result of a ”miraculous accident” according to a state geologist–have played such an outsized role in the hearts of so many.
Inez McDermott is Professor Emerita of Art History at New England College. She is a curator of art and history exhibitions at various museums and galleries throughout New England and presents lectures on art and history topics through New Hampshire Humanities “Humanities to Go” program. Inez also teaches art history courses for Kimball Jenkins.
History of Photography with Gary Samson
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Lunch: 12:00-1:00pm | Presentation: 1:00-2:30pm
Gary Samson will give a talk on 19th century photography discussing some of the major figures working during the first century of the medium. During the presentation, participants will be able to view historic examples of 19th century photographic processes used from 1840 to 1900 and learn about the difficulties photographers faced creating these images.
Gary Samson is the 7th Artist Laureate of New Hampshire and has spent the last fifty years photographically documenting the people and cultures of Ghana, Guatemala, Greece, Russia, Peru, Ireland, Belize, France, Quebec, Nova Scotia as well as Texas and Louisiana. Gary’s work has been exhibited internationally and his photographs are in numerous collections including the Currier Museum of Art; the University of New Hampshire; the Library of Congress, Washington, DC and the New Hampshire Institute of Art where he taught photography for thirty-six years.
After making a film about the life of the great German photographer Lotte Jacobi in 1978, Gary was inspired to explore portrait photography in his own work, making portraits of New Hampshire artists and writers as well as documenting the ethnic diversity of the state. Over the years, Gary has received numerous awards for his work and continues to make environmental portraits of the people of New Hampshire.
La Femme Vaillante: Reviving the Remarkable Musical Legacy of Augusta Holmès with Melissa Elsman & Kathryn Southworth
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Lunch: 12:00-1:00pm | Presentation: 1:00-2:30pm
Melissa Elsman, contralto and Kathyrn Southworth, pianist, will be presenting the lecture and musical performance: La Femme Vaillante: Reviving the Remarkable Musical Legacy of Augusta Holmès.
Nineteenth century Parisian composer, Augusta Holmès, was famous during her lifetime. She was both highly admired and criticized for composing large scale works, as this was considered “masculine” and inappropriate for a woman. Despite her colossal achievements, she is rarely talked about today. Come learn about her life, why her music is so important, and enjoy the music!
Melissa Elsman, New England-based contralto, is known for having a rich warm sound that is flexible and fresh. She performs a wide range of art song and operatic repertoire and has a special passion for uncovering and performing lesser-known pieces, particularly those by female composers.
Melissa was recently a guest artist and lecturer at her alma mater, Chicago College of Performing Arts, where she presented the lecture recital La Femme Vaillante: Reviving the Remarkable Musical Legacy of Augusta Holmès. Melissa is currently touring this program along with La Voix Éternelle: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Pauline Viardot, and Forgotten Voices: The Courageous Women Behind the Music throughout New England.
Melissa has appeared with a variety of companies, including Opera del West, South Shore Opera Company, Boston Opera Collaborative, The Song Set Chicago, New Brew Chicago, Opera on Tap Chicago, and Opera on Tap New Hampshire.
She holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory and an M.M. in Vocal Performance from Chicago College of Performing Arts. In addition to her performance career, Melissa teaches private voice lessons at her home studio in Concord, NH, and also serves on the voice faculty at Concord Community Music School and Shaker Road School.
Kathryn Southworth (dean of students and faculty, piano, performance workshops, Canterbury Singers) holds a B.M. in Piano Performance from Oberlin Conservatory and an M.M. in Vocal Accompanying and Coaching from the University of Illinois. She held a graduate assistantship as staff accompanist under the tutelage of acclaimed accompanist John Wustman and served as a musical ambassador to Costa Rica with soprano Ollie Watts Davis. She has been a collaborative pianist for Opera North, Dartmouth College, Plymouth State University, and Boston Ballet, and has also served as music director, accompanist, and organist for many theater and choral groups in New England. Kathy is currently music director and organist for the Canterbury United Community Church. Former faculty positions include St. Paul’s School and Plymouth State University.
Tiny Art Workshop: Watercolor Bookmarks with Marie Gervacio
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Lunch: 12:00-1:00pm | Presentation: 1:00-2:30pm
Enjoy a couple hours of tiny art and relaxation creating bookmarks using watercolor or alcohol ink markers. Demonstration, guidance and supplies to make a few bookmarks to keep or giveaway. Bookmarks come with plastic sleeves and tassels.
Marie Gervacio, known as the gutsy-artsy grandma, got gutsy with her art mediums when she bravely started selling her art and gifting 100% for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Though she always knew the saying from St Francis of Assisi, "It is in giving, that we receive," she could have never imagined the wonderful rebound effect for her in creating and sharing joy and inspiration. Her hope is to continue her mission of philanthropic art and inspiring others to create joy in their lives as well.
Jonathan Harrington: 19th Century Magician with Andrew Pinard
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Lunch: 12:00-1:00pm | Presentation: 1:00-2:30pm
Walk back in time with Andrew Pinard as he performs as nineteenth-century performer Jonathan Harrington. Born in Boston, Harrington began his performing career as a ventriloquist in 1826, and subsequently added fire resistance, conjuring and exhibitions to his performances. His shows became increasingly focused on magic with a small section devoted to ventriloquism and mimicry.
Pinard transforms into Jonathan Harrington during the performance in both character and period costume to present mysteries and wonders from the nineteenth century with the help of audience members.
Andrew Pinard has been a full-time performer and theatre artist for over thirty-five years. He has presented thousands of performances throughout the northeastern United States as well as internationally in Montreal, London, Switzerland, Germany and Italy. Andrew has been recognized by his peers as one of the finest close-up performers throughout the Northeast and took the top honors in the 18th Annual New England Magic Competition. Andrew was selected six times as Editors’ Choice for Best Magical Entertainer in “The Very Best of New Hampshire” issues of New Hampshire Magazine with an emphasis on his uncanny sleight-of-hand (“or is it?”) abilities.
The Making of FLOAT: How to Create a Children’s Picture Book with Larry Daley
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Lunch: 12:00-1:00pm | Presentation: 1:00-2:30pm
This 90-minute presentation showcases the step-by-step process of creating a children’s picture book for today’s audience of new readers and bedtime storytellers. Through a powerpoint of full-color illustrations and behind-the-scenes visuals, author/illustrator Larry Daley shares his two year journey of making his picture book FLOAT: A dive-in adventure about a first-grader who leaps into action to retrieve her soggy snacks from a stealing seagull. This talk highlights the artist’s start-to-finish process of illustrating a story for kids while revealing the unique challenges of producing original stories in the children’s market. Full of engaging artwork and personal stories from the author, this presentation offers a sneak peak at this new release from the author/illustrator.
Larry Daley is a children’s illustrator and freelance creative director in children’s media development. His illustrative and written work is mostly known for its quirky humor, playful characters, and exaggerated perspectives. Right now, his focus is on creating funny stories that blend chaos with kindness.
As an alumnus of Warner Bros. Entertainment and DC Comics, Larry supervised major comic book brands such as Batman and Superman in film, television, video games, toys, comics, licensed promotions, and children’s publishing. Larry is also a published children’s illustrator and award-winning toy designer!
Ekphrastic Poetry: Words & Pictures with Inez McDermott & Maura MacNeil
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Lunch: 12:00-1:00pm | Presentation: 1:00-2:30pm
Ekphrastic poetry is a form of poetry that describes or responds to a work of visual art—such as a painting, sculpture, or photograph. Ekphrastic poetry uses language to expand on an artwork’s themes or meditates on the way that the artwork evokes an emotional response or memory in the viewer. Poet Maura MacNeil and art historian Inez McDermott will introduce the history of this literary form, discuss well-known ekphrastic poems, and participants will write an ekphrastic poem of their own. Participants are welcome to bring a printed image of a favorite artwork, or one will be provided. No experience with creative writing or art history is required.
Inez McDermott is Professor Emerita of Art History at New England College. She is a curator of art and history exhibitions at various museums and galleries throughout New England and presents lectures on art and history topics through New Hampshire Humanities “Humanities to Go” program. Inez also teaches art history courses for Kimball Jenkins.
Maura MacNeil is a Professor of Creative Writing at New England College. She is the author of three poetry collections, and her poetry, prose, and critical writing has been published and anthologized in numerous publications over the past four decades. She is on the roster of the NH Humanities to-Go program with her interactive writing program: Family, Memory, Place: Writing Family Stories.
La Voix Éternelle: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Pauline Viardot with Melissa Elsman & Kathryn Southworth
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Lunch: 12:00-1:00pm | Presentation: 1:00-2:30pm
Melissa Elsman, contralto, and Kathryn Southworth, pianist, present the lecture and musical performance: La Voix Éternelle: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Pauline Viardot.
Pauline Viardot was one of the most influential figures of the 19th-century European arts scene. A celebrated opera sensation, composer, pianist, and voice teacher, she also inspired and helped launch the careers of some of the greatest composers and literary figures of her time. Though a remarkable composer in her own right, her works were largely forgotten after her death in 1910—due in part to the challenges faced by women composers. A growing revival in the 21st century has brought her music back to life, and her works will be performed and explored during this presentation.
Melissa Elsman, New England-based contralto, is known for having a rich warm sound that is flexible and fresh. She performs a wide range of art song and operatic repertoire and has a special passion for uncovering and performing lesser-known pieces, particularly those by female composers.
Melissa was recently a guest artist and lecturer at her alma mater, Chicago College of Performing Arts, where she presented the lecture recital La Femme Vaillante: Reviving the Remarkable Musical Legacy of Augusta Holmès. Melissa is currently touring this program along with La Voix Éternelle: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Pauline Viardot, and Forgotten Voices: The Courageous Women Behind the Music throughout New England.
Melissa has appeared with a variety of companies, including Opera del West, South Shore Opera Company, Boston Opera Collaborative, The Song Set Chicago, New Brew Chicago, Opera on Tap Chicago, and Opera on Tap New Hampshire.
She holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory and an M.M. in Vocal Performance from Chicago College of Performing Arts. In addition to her performance career, Melissa teaches private voice lessons at her home studio in Concord, NH, and also serves on the voice faculty at Concord Community Music School and Shaker Road School.
Kathryn Southworth (dean of students and faculty, piano, performance workshops, Canterbury Singers) holds a B.M. in Piano Performance from Oberlin Conservatory and an M.M. in Vocal Accompanying and Coaching from the University of Illinois. She held a graduate assistantship as staff accompanist under the tutelage of acclaimed accompanist John Wustman and served as a musical ambassador to Costa Rica with soprano Ollie Watts Davis. She has been a collaborative pianist for Opera North, Dartmouth College, Plymouth State University, and Boston Ballet, and has also served as music director, accompanist, and organist for many theater and choral groups in New England. Kathy is currently music director and organist for the Canterbury United Community Church. Former faculty positions include St. Paul’s School and Plymouth State University.