Lifelong Learners
An Independent Collaborative

Lifelong Learners

An Independent Collaborative

Ashcan School Painting

Course Leader(s)
Day of Week: Wednesday
Course Length: 5 weeks
Starting: 09/10/2025
Ending: 10/15/2025
Period of Day: Period 3X Zoom
Time: 2:45-4:15 (Nonstandard time)
Course Fee: $50

Course Description:

This five-week course explores the Ashcan School, a group of early 20th-century artists known for their raw depictions of urban life. The focus is on how these artists captured the gritty realities of the city and the struggles of the working class. Through their bold brushstrokes and unflinching gaze, these artists moved away from idealized portrayals, instead immersing themselves in vibrant and often chaotic street scenes and the intimate moments of everyday people.  The artists covered will be Robert Henri (1865-1929); George Luks (1867-1933); William Glackens (1870-1938); John Sloan (1871-1951); Everett Shinn (1876-1953); George Bellows (1882-1925); and Theresa Bernstein (1890-1988).

The course will consist of presentations and discussions. Each participant will receive by email a syllabus prior to the first session. Participants are asked to watch two videos and read one text article (total time about 30-45 minutes) before each session.

Books and Other Resources:

All assignments will be online. Links will be accessed through a syllabus.

Course Leader Bio(s)

John Cohen

I am a retired computer programmer. Living in the Boston area, I am fortunate to have been able to take more than 20 art history courses over the past 20 years at Wellesley College, Boston University, and LLAIC. These included courses in Greek, Renaissance, Victorian, and American Art. Previously at LLAIC, I have been the class leader for The Birth of Modern Art (1900 – 1950). I’ve also been lucky enough to have spent a great deal of time looking at art in (I guess) more than 100 museums and churches in the United States and Europe.