Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!
West Bloomfield, Michigan
(Suburban Detroit)
October 4, 6:30 pm
Art Leaders Gallery
Join fellow alumni, family, and friends at the Art Leaders Gallery in West Bloomfield, Michigan, for an evening exhibition and faculty lecture on the private hat collection of Theodor Seuss Geisel ’25, one of Dartmouth’s most beloved sons.
The Magic and Meaning of Hats
In his artwork, as in his personal life, the late Theodor Seuss Geisel saw hats as transformational. And from the time he was a small boy in Springfield, Massachusetts,
he was aware of their inherent magic. Far beyond their functionality, hats were the accent—the exclamation point—on a person’s behavior. They could entertain, delight and embellish, even tease and taunt, but most of all, hats helped Geisel deliver a world of life-changing inspiration.
Audrey S. Geisel has generously opened up the Dr. Seuss Estate’s legendary “hat closet” to give the public a peek at his extraordinary personal hat collection. Hats Off to Dr. Seuss! is a rare and exciting exhibition as this is the first time any of these hats have traveled outside of the estate.
Donald Pease, The Ted and Helen Geisel Third Century Professor in the Humanities and chair of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program at Dartmouth, will discuss the significance of Geisel’s Dartmouth experience and the various artistic strategies Geisel invented to release the creative personalities of his readers. Pease will also reflect on the origins of Geisel's art and his various careers, which included advertising artist, world-famous satirist, and reading teacher. Following the presentation, Pease will sign copies of his book, Theodor SEUSS Geisel (2010), which will be for sale.
Program Schedule 6:30 pm: Welcome and Registration 7 pm:
Presentation by Professor Donald Pease 8–10 pm: Viewing of Exhibition 8:30 pm:
Cocktail Reception Begins
10:30 pm:
Event Closes
Pricing Adult: $35
Child: $10 (ages 7–14)
Includes entrance to and tour of the hat collection exhibition, Professor Pease’s presentation, and our reception, which includes one drink and heavy hors d’oeuvres.
This Dartmouth on Location event is organized by the Office of Alumni Relations. For more information about Dartmouth on Location programs or to register, please contact us at (603) 646-9159 or ar.ace@dartmouth.edu.
Raising Money for the Arts artwork; TM & © 1995 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All Rights Reserved.