Event—Adult Education

Winging It: Humanity's Relationship with Birds

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Birds have been a source of meaning and inspiration across eras and cultures.

The Tawny Owl. Thomas Bewick, History of British Birds, Volumes 1 and 2, Newcastle: Solomon Hodgson, 1797. Source: The Newberry Library, John M. Wing Collection, Wing folio ZP 745 .B469.

Class Description

Birds and art didn’t just begin and end with John James Audubon. This class will tell the story of birds through the Newberry’s collection, including the works of Mark Catesby and Thomas Bewick. We will also look at the evolution of conservation in the United States and the troubling history that led to multiple extinctions. Among the species featured will be the Greater Prairie-Chicken and the Piping Plover, and the class will conclude with a visit to Montrose Beach to possibly see Piping Plovers. Participants should expect to walk 1-2 miles as part of the tour of Montrose Point.

This class is being offered during the same time period as Winging It: A Brief History of Humanity’s Relationship with Birds in the Hanson Gallery during Summer 2025, June 19 through September 27, 2025.

Bob Dolgan is a lifelong birder whose documentaries about Piping Plovers “Monty” and “Rose” have been screened across the United States and on PBS. He is former Chief Editor of Meadowlark, a journal of Illinois birds, and is an official ambassador of the American Bird Conservancy. He is curating the Newberry's Winging It exhibition.

What to Expect

Format: In Person

Class Capacity: 18

Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged

Materials List

Required

  • Digital Course Packet
  • Other Instructor-Distributed Materials

First Reading

  • Read portions of Thomas Bewick's autobiography. Page numbers will be provided before first class date.

A Brief Syllabus

  1. Introductions, Bewick and Catesby, and Exhibition Tour
  2. Grouse and Game Laws
  3. Great Lakes Piping Plover
  4. Field Trip to Montrose Beach

Cost and Registration

4 Sessions, $150 ($135 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.

We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($150), Community Supported ($140), and Sponsor ($160). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.

To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.

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Call us at (312) 255-3700 or send us an email at adulteducation@newberry.org.

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