Monthly Programs

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Map published by Paolo Forlani, 1565

Most months a member will give a presentation, discussing a current work in progress, the research and writing process, or an area of personal interest and expertise. A collegial Q&A ensues, and the speaker can, if they wish, ask for suggestions for improvement in case they will be giving the talk at other venues. These programs are usually held at 2:00 PM on the third Sunday of the month, except for December; exceptions can be made as necessary. A digital projector and screen are available. Another member volunteers to take notes and write a report for the newsletter, or the speaker may provide a synopsis instead.

We try to have a speaker each month, though this is not always possible. Ideally, we schedule the programs as far in advance as possible. Members who are interested in giving a talk or other program (such as a film or exhibit tour) should email president@tihs.org.

Videos of some presentations can be viewed on our YouTube Channel.

Next Monthly Program

Saturday, October 17, 10:00 am, Monthly Program via Zoom.
Dorothy Liebes and the Red Cross: The Healing Power of Weaving
A presentation by Liz Schott

Liz Schott 1World War II saw an overwhelming number of injured servicemen and women returning from battle to veterans' hospitals across the United States. In response, the Red Cross established its Arts & Skills program to assist the V. A.'s professional occupational therapists. Renowned textile designer Dorothy Liebes guided the Red Cross to assemble a corps of artists and craftspeople to train volunteers to teach injured servicemen and women a number of different arts and crafts. These ranged from sculpture, bookbinding, and plant grafting, to photography and weaving. Liebes led the charge in126 hospitals across the country. Liz Schott's presentation chronicles the build-up to the war, Liebes's response to the Red Cross's call, her other wartime volunteerism, the soldiers and sailors who benefited from Arts & Skills, and the story of one notable alumnus.

Liz Schott presentation 2Liz Schott is a retired educational leader who is writing the biography of renowned textile designer and weaver Dorothy Wright Liebes. In June, 2025, Liz received the Biographers International Organization's Hazel Rowley Prize for her proposal for Useful and Beautiful: The Life of Dorothy Wright Liebes. She lives in Sebastopol, California, with her husband of 39 years, Perry, and their rescued cattle dog, Roxy. Their daughter Francesca lives with her husband Jason near Sacramento and their son Augie is in New York.

You are welcome to invite friends and colleagues to attend.
The presentation will be recorded, and posted on YouTube. If you don’t want to be on the recording, just make sure your video is off. And please remember to mute your microphone!
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