Gallery Talk and Film Screening: Every Line Becomes a Circle

CAM is pleased to partner with the 35th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival to present a gallery talk and film screening event that explores the world of contemporary art through a cinematic lens. In collaboration with the Goethe-Institut St. Louis, the event explores connections between CAM’s current exhibitions with new releases that are part of the Festival’s fine arts spotlight. This year’s screening event celebrates the importance of artistic expression to creative aging. The evening begins with a gallery talk exploring the exhibition of artist Juanita McNeely. Following a welcome reception, scholar Dr. Brian D. Carpenter and director/producer Lynnette Luis will engage in a gallery conversation with CAM Director of Learning and Engagement Michelle Dezember about McNeely’s epic Triskaidekaptych (1986), creative aging, and the value of artistic practice and appreciation for health resilience and wellbeing. The evening continues with a screening of Every Line Becomes a Circle, a documentary following 93-year-old German artist Inge Besgen’s decades-long persistence to find herself in post-war Germany and become an artist in her 50s despite many setbacks. Taken together, the evening explores how life’s experiences—especially memory, pain, and reckoning—take on deeper significance and power when explored through painting and abstraction. This event is free and open to the public. Complimentary food is provided, and drinks are available for purchase. Schedule 6:30 pm – Doors open for gallery viewing and welcome reception 7:00 pm – Gallery Talk 7:40 pm – Film Screening 8:30 pm – Q&A with producer/director Lynnette Luis Accessibility notes Seating is first come, first served and set up in tables and chairs. If you require seating, please email [email protected] to reserve a seat. To request an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for this event, please contact [email protected] with as much prior notice possible to ensure availability. The film is in German with English subtitles. Please note that food and drink is not allowed in the galleries, but is welcome in the screening area. About the speakers Brian D. Carpenter, PhD is Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences and Co-Director, Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging at Washington University in St. Louis. Professor Carpenter conducts research on the clinical psychology of aging. His research focuses on family relationships in late life, with a particular emphasis on collaborative family communication and decision-making. Lynnette Luis is a director/producer from California, now based in Berlin. She entered the film industry in 1994 with an internship at Paramount and has worked in editing and production for Disney and German TV. She trained at the Koelner Filmhaus and has extensive experience as an assistant director and script supervisor. She directed and produced Every Line Becomes A Circle. About the film Every Line Becomes A Circle (2024), directed by Lynnette Luis, Christopher Leete, and Ottilie Maters. 50 minutes. Every Line Becomes A Circle is a powerful documentary about 93-year-old German artist Inge Besgen. Her life and art reflect how every experience and choice shapes who we become. Inge’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and the belief that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.