Dr. Kelly Bushéy

ALPENA – The Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan will welcome guest speaker Dr. Kelly Bushey on Thursday, May 28 at 6 p.m. for a Gallery Talk presentation titled “The Agnostic and The Atheist.” The event marks the final installment in a four-part lecture series accompanying the museum’s Divine Comedy Reenvisioned exhibition, currently on view in the Wilson Art Gallery.

The lecture series has offered visitors an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Salvador Dalí’s surrealist interpretation of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, the influential 14th-century literary masterpiece. Through a combination of art, history, and philosophy, the presentations have guided audiences in exploring how Dalí reimagined Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise using his distinctive artistic vision.

Dr. Bushey’s concluding talk will focus on a pivotal phase in Dalí’s artistic evolution. The presentation examines the artist’s transition from surrealism to a more neo-classical style, a shift that began following his encounter with Sigmund Freud. It will also explore how Dalí’s renewed spiritual perspective and restoration of faith influenced the direction of his later work, offering attendees a new lens through which to view his illustrations of Dante’s epic poem.

The Divine Comedy Reenvisioned exhibit will remain on display through July 18, inviting visitors to experience Dalí’s imaginative interpretations firsthand. The exhibition highlights how a literary work written more than 700 years ago by Italian poet Dante Alighieri continues to inspire new forms of creative expression.

Dante’s Divine Comedy traces a symbolic journey through the afterlife and draws inspiration from earlier storytellers such as Homer and Virgil, whose epic narratives shaped ancient Greek and Roman culture. Themes of heroism, morality, and the human condition have endured through centuries, evolving as artists and writers bring fresh perspectives to timeless ideas. Dalí’s surrealist illustrations translate Dante’s vision into a modern artistic language, blending dreamlike imagery with classical themes. His work demonstrates how historical narratives can be reinterpreted to reflect contemporary thought, bridging the gap between past and present.

Through the exhibition the Besser Museum encourages visitors to reflect on the enduring influence of art and literature. By connecting Dante’s medieval text with Dalí’s 20th-century interpretations, the program underscores how creative expression continues to shape cultural identity and understanding.

The final Gallery Talk is open to the public. Admission details and additional information can be obtained by contacting the Besser Museum or visiting its website.