Parker Arts Lectures is a series of free lectures supported by the Parker Cultural and Scientific Commission. The intent of the lectures is to increase the understanding of how arts, science and technology affect current and future issues facing our community, and provide the opportunity to learn and discuss a variety of trending topics. Lectures take place at The Schoolhouse (19650 E Mainstreet). Click the link to a lecture below to reserve your free tickets.
If you have a topic you would like to present to the community as part of the Parker Arts Lecture Series, please reach out to PACEedu@parkeronline.org. Simply email your name, topic, and how you are knowledgeable about the topic. You will be invited to present your idea to the Commission for consideration.
These free lectures are generously sponsored by Centura Parker Adventist Hospital.
Upcoming Lectures
August 10 | Japanese Aesthetics – Bonsai and Ikebana
Speaker: Junko Goodwin, Japan America Society of Colorado
This presentation will introduce Japanese aesthetics called Wabi-Sabi through Japanese garden, temples and shrines, and the daily rituals of life in Japan as well as the historical origins and basic feature of Bonsai and Ikebana. Bonsai is a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree. Ikebana is a way of arranging flowers.
View recorded lecture here.
September 7 | My Non-Political FBI from Hoover to a Violent America
Speaker: Bob Pence, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Offices in the Rocky Mountain Region
This discussion will track the lecturer as he crisscrossed the country in his 30-year career as a Special Agent of the FBI and author of a book titled as today’s lecture. He will share some of his most interesting and challenging adventures, which spread internationally after his retirement. He will also relate his personal version of how the FBI has changed in so many ways since it was taken over by the first Director, J Edgar Hoover. The author/lecturer will conclude with some very critical concerns regarding the future and safety of our America.
View recorded lecture here.
October 12 | Front Range Landscaping
Speaker: Lee Kral, Savatree
Attend this informative discussion on the challenges of maintaining a lawn and landscape along the Front Range of Colorado. Learning about site selection and species selection will make all the difference, while myths about lawn and tree care will be dispelled. Hear from the experts what we do right and what we do wrong to our landscapes in the weather extremes of Colorado.
View recorded lecture here.
November 2 | Behind the Curtain
Speaker: Parker Arts Production Staff and Sasquatch Productions, Ltd.
Learn and see for yourself how your favorite Parker Arts shows are put together from the ground up. This lecture will take you from concept to creation using the set of the The Adams Family as a full-size model for the lecture.
View recorded lecture here.
December 7 | Life at the Intersection of Art and Science
Speaker: Michael Magrin, Teacher
Take an intellectual and visual journey with Michael through the history of life at the intersection of art and science. Learn about the secrets that have changed the way people throughout the world continue to advance the arts and sciences.
View recorded lecture here.
February 1 | Family Man to Family Annihilator: Chris Watts Case Study
Speaker: Tammy Lee, Agent in Charge, Colorado Bureau of Investigation
As seen on Netflix, this case study examines the details of the August 2018 missing person investigation out of Frederick, Colorado, involving Chris Watts’ pregnant wife, Shanann, and two young daughters, Bella and Celeste. Chris appeared to be the “ultimate family man,” but that was quickly refuted after a failed polygraph examination. Chris ultimately confessed to murder, and plead guilty to all charges and was sentenced to five life sentences plus 84 years in prison. This lecture will discuss the role of the CBI in Colorado as well as highlight the techniques used during the investigation.
We apologize, but due to legal content we were not able to record the lecture.
March 1 | Buzztails and Bullsnakes: Debunking the Myths of Colorado’s Charismatic Mega-snakes
Speaker: Joseph Ehrenberger, MS, Senior Ecologist, Matrix Design Group, Inc.
Snakes have been misunderstood and maligned dating back to their first human encounter, possibly even impacting ancient primates evolutionarily. Fear of snakes, similarly with bats, and spiders, has spun off many myths and folklores that still are present today. This presentation will provide access to real information about the biology of the familiar and widely distributed rattlesnake and bullsnake, while introducing and explaining the myths about these snakes and snakes overall. For many people, all it takes is a better understanding of how snakes work to reduce ingrained fear and encourage peaceful coexistence with them, knowing that snakes have a supportive role in our natural ecosystems.
View recorded lecture here.
April 12 | The Sinking of the Titanic
Speaker: Chris Schutzneberger, Molly Brown House Museum Volunteer
It was a night to remember, and a night that no one who survived would ever forget. In this presentation, learn about how the Titanic sank in the early morning of April 15, 1912.
Reserve your free tickets here. Available in February.
May 10 | Using GPR for Mapping Archaeological Sites in Colorado
Speaker: Prof. Larry Conyers, Ph.D., Anthropology, University of Colorado, International Society for Archaeological Prospection
The ability to produce images of buried archaeological sites has revolutionized the way archaeology has been done in the last 20 years. We now have the ability to see what is in the ground before digging, and sometime not have to dig at all to understand important aspects of ancient life. Examples will be shown from Douglas County, but also many other sites from around the world.
Reserve your free tickets here. Available in March.
Past Lectures
Urban Coyotes
Speaker: Katie Doyle, District Wildlife Officer, Department of Wildlife
View the lecture by clicking here.
The Utes: Colorado’s Forgotten People
Speaker: Earnest House, Jr., Senior Policy Director, Keystone Policy Center
View the lecture by clicking here.
Climate Change: Permafrost Thaw in the Artic and Our Climate’s Future
Speaker: Merritt Turetsky, Director and Professor, Institute of Artic and Alpine Research
View the lecture by clicking here.
Crowdsourcing Coronavirus: Analyzing Experimental Data From One Epidemic to Understand the Current One
Speaker: Mike Edwards, CEO Bioinfo Solutions
View the lecture by clicking here.
The Curious Case of Colorado Cannibal Alferd Packer
Speaker: Dr. Erin Baxter, is Curator of Archaeology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
View the lecture by clicking here.
Let’s Hike Douglas County (Our 1/2 14ers)
Speaker: Jackie Sanderson, Natural Resource Specialist Douglas County Division of Open Space and Natural Resources
View the lecture by clicking here.
Footpath to Busy Parker Road: Transportation Systems Along Cherry Creek
Speaker: Lee Whiteley, Parker Area Historical Society
View the lecture by clicking here.
From Antimatter to Wormholes: The Science of Interstellar Travel
Speaker: Dr. KaChun Yu, Curator of Space Science, Denver Museum of Nature and Science
View the lecture by clicking here.
The World According to Dogs
Speaker: Marie Seelmeyer, Canine, Feline Behavior Counseling, Senior Behavioral Counselor
View the lecture by clicking here.
Finding Common Ground: Bridging the Political Divide
Speaker: John Schuster
View the lecture by clicking here.
Understanding Palliative Care
Speaker: A panel discussion with Angela Wibben, MM, MT-BC, Jeanie Youngwerth, MD and Representatives from Parker Adventist.
View the lecture by clicking here.
The Truth Is, All of My Pictures Are Lies
Speaker: Eric Biggerstaff, Photographer
View the lecture by clicking here.
Beginning Birdwatching
Speaker: Kate Hogan, Denver Audubon Society
View the lecture by clicking here.