The Costumes & Customs Lecture Series, sponsored by the Office of Arts Integration and organized in collaboration with the University Library, the Department of Theatre, the Department of Classics, the Spurlock Museum, and the Krannert Art Museum, explores the history and cultural significance of clothing across time and place. Organized by Elias Petrou (University Library) and Olga Maslova (Department of Theatre), the series will feature four distinguished speakers: Dr. Bernice Jones - Minoan Era (Wednesday, September 17, 5:00 p.m. CT), Dr. Ulla Mannering - Viking Age (Thursday, October 23, 5:00 p.m. CT), Dr. Susan Whitfield - Middle Ages (Wednesday, November 5, 5:00 p.m. CT), and Dr. Jenny Tiramani - Elizabethan Era (Friday, December 5, 12:00 p.m. CT). All lectures will be held via Zoom and are free and open to the public: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/81352693843?pwd=aNen65wxgVWfWabExO3MD2Gl6nztiV.1
Dr. Bernice Jones is an internationally recognized authority on ancient Greek costume. She is the author of the pioneering book, Ariadne’s Threads: The Construction and Significance of Clothes in the Aegean Bronze Age. Her meticulous reconstructions of Minoan and Mycenaean dress and frescoes provide unique insight into the artistry, symbolism, and cultural significance of ancient textiles.