The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University’s popular Meet Me at the CAM series continues on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with a presentation by Dr. Robert Giannetti, Niagara University professor and owner of Bob’s Old Books in Lewiston, New York. An expert on antiquarian books, Dr. Giannetti will talk about the richly illustrated fine books, travel guides, maps and skillfully rendered prints that helped to attract visitors to the Niagara region. Following the War of 1812, former battlefields and war monuments were added to the list of the region’s tourist attractions. On the lighter side, humorous satiric texts and illustrations show the battle between the sublime and ridiculous as the Falls were exploited by industry and rampant commercialization. Dr. Robert Giannetti is Guest Curator of the upcoming Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University exhibition, The Picturesque and War: Visual and Literary Aspects of 19th Century Niagara Tourism, on view from June 17, 2012 – February 24, 2013. Join us for a special introduction to this important exhibition, part of the Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812. Admission is free, but Castellani Art Museum membership is required to attend. Membership sign-up is available at the registration table at each lecture, or applications may be downloaded at www.castellaniartmuseum.org/membership.

Cost: Free - museum membership required