Tonight at NOMA, curator Alice Yelen Gitter will give a lecture on self-taught art in the Stern Auditorium. Cafe NOMA will be hosting the annual Edible Book Day competition, and if you’re interested in becoming a docent at NOMA, stop by the Docent Open House to get more information.

• 5-8 pm: Art on the Spot
• 5-7 pm: Docent Open House
• 5:30-8:30 pm: Erin Demastes Trio
• 5:30-7:30 pm: Edible Book Day (see full schedule below)
• 6:30 pm: Lecture with Alice Yelen Gitter: “20th Century Self-Taught American Art”

About “20th Century Self-Taught American Art”

Throughout the twentieth century, American self-taught art has moved from relative obscurity into the public eye. This lecture introduces some of these self-taught artists and examines the qualities in their work to which many contemporary artists have been attracted, such as their raw, spontaneous expression and innovative use of materials at hand. While self-taught artists’ own life experiences were the source for their ideas and imagery, their messages are universal and reflective of their cultures.

About Edible Book Day

Edible Book Day is an international celebration of literature, art, and food. Museums, libraries, and universities throughout the world participate to create a program for creative individuals and community groups to highlight their artistic, baking, and decorating skills. Local community groups and individuals are invited to bake and decorate cakes inspired by books through the integration of text, literary inspiration or form. Ribbons will be awarded for the three best cakes in each category, and one “People’s Choice” ribbon will be awarded. This year’s judges are Charles Brown, City Librarian/Executive Director, New Orleans Public Library; Susan Ford, publisher of Louisiana Kitchen and Culture magazine; and Susan Larson, The Reading Life, WWNO.

• 4:30 pm | Set-up
• 5:30 pm | Judging and People’s Choice ballots start
• 6 pm | Café NOMA Cake Decorating Demonstration
• 6:30 pm | People’s Choice voting ends
• 7 pm | Awards announced in Café NOMA

For more information, download the Edible Book Day 2016 flyer here.