THE BRITISH ARE COMING Even though we claim John Singleton Copley as Colonial America’s premier painter, did you know that his allegiance was to Britain?
Copley painted America’s Revolution as Britain’s American War. Join an intriguing discussion led by Harvard historian Jane Kamensky, author of the 2016 book, “A Revolution in Color: The World of John Singleton Copley,’’ at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28, at the Royall House and Slave Quarters in Medford.
Copley was born in Boston in 1738, and is known for his portraits of historic figures such as Paul Revere. Copley Square is named for him. By the time the Revolutionary War began in 1775 and Revere made his famous ride, Copley and his family had moved to London.
“Kamensky’s great accomplishment is to leave readers pulled by different audiences, demands, and political allegiances right along with him,’’ noted The Atlantic, in a review.
General admission is $5 (free for members). Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
The Royall House is at 15 George St. Go to royalhouse.org or call 781-396-9032.
ARTISTS CRITIQUE If you believe that artists require coaching feedback just as athletes do, then grab a seat at Loading Dock Arts’ “Works in Progress’’ on Friday, Jan. 20, in Lowell.
Robert Siegelman, a faculty member and graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and an instructor at The Eliot School for Fine and Applied Arts in Jamaica Plain, will lead a group critique designed to give feedback.
The event is from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Onyx room at the Western Avenue Studios, 122 Western Ave. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Art educators with a school ID receive a $5 discount.
For instructions on becoming a presenting artist, or to purchase tickets, go to: ticketor.com/loading-dock-arts/events or e-mail loadingdockarts.education@gmail.com.
WRITE ON With the inauguration only days away, how important is freedom of speech and expression in a functioning democracy?
Come listen to local authors — Charlotte Gordon, Dorothy Nelson, H. Gordon Baird, Regina Cole, Peter Anastas, Rae Francoeur, Phoebe Potts, Amanda Cook, JoeAnn Hart, and more — read from literature with that focus on Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck in Gloucester.
Want your own say? The floor opens to the public — as time permits — to share literary selections that speak to the meaning of artistic freedom in your life. This thought-provoking event is free and open to the public, sponsored by the Gloucester Writers Center, Eastern Point Lit House, and the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck.
For information, e-mail JoeAnn@joeannhart.com.
POP IN, IT’S FREE Imagine a day at the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead filled with free popcorn and an endless supply of free magazines at your fingertips. Now that’s how you celebrate Thursday, Jan. 19, National Popcorn Day.
Staff will help cardholders enroll in Zinio, an online service for libraries, and learn to navigate it on personal mobile devices. Sign-up is not required for this free event, but it is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The program will be held in the main level reading room from 3 to 5 p.m. The library is located at 235 Pleasant St.
For information, call 781-631-1481 or visit abbotlibrary.org.
You also won’t want to miss the Abbot Library’s monthly Poetry Salon on Sunday, Jan. 22, featuring the work of Lucille Clifton, twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Claire Keyes, Marblehead poet and professor emerita at Salem State University, will facilitate a discussion of Clifton’s poems. Her work focuses on the African-American experience and family life, emphasizing endurance and strength through adversity.
The free poetry salon will be held in the Marblehead room of the library from 2 to 4 p.m. at 235 Pleasant St.
Kathy Shiels Tully can be reached at kathy@kathyshielstully.com.
