Off the Shelf Book Club: “I Build a Building” by Wharton Esherick

While Esherick is best known as an artist and craftsman, he also tried his hand at the literary arts. In 1932, at the behest of his good friend and noted American author Theodore Dreiser, Esherick wrote a short story reflecting on the creation of his 1926 Studio. Esherick submitted a draft of his story to the twentieth-century literary magazine American Spectator, but never revised it toward publication. Join us to explore this story of the Studio’s construction during a landmark year when we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Esherick breaking ground on this singular building. During the meeting, we’ll be taking a look at Theodore Dreiser’s letters in WEM’s archives urging Esherick to take pen to paper and other special collections material related to the construction of the 1926 Studio.

About the Book Club: Off the Shelf: The Wharton Esherick Museum Book Club is an in-person program at the Wharton Esherick Museum. We will hold meetings every six weeks, on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m.