Assistant professor of visual arts and drawing coordinator Benjamin Diller will be giving a lecture in the “Let’s Talk Art Series” at noon on Wednesday, April 18, on the lecture side of the Contemporary Art Gallery.

The lecture is entitled “Houston: The Creative City” and explores the cultural highs and lows of the famous Texan city.

“I’m inspired by this city because I’ve visited often and have participated in exhibits and artistic events there for the past couple years,” said Diller.

Diller worked in San Francisco for several years before he began his teaching career. He has previously worked at the University of West Florida in Pensacola and the University of Louisiana in Lafayette.

He has participated in events at Project Row Houses, “Home, Space, Place” exhibit and the Contemporary Arts Museum show “Hand + Made: The performative aspect of art and craft.” He worked with his partner, Cyndy Giachetti on installations and workshops there.

Diller has not given any art lectures at Southeastern yet but has given lectures in other places in the past.

“I pretty much have just lectured on my own work, but I have talked about aspects of influence from other artists such as Tim Hawkinson, Arte Povera [1960’s Italian group], Robert Rauschenberg and my own grandfather’s work,” said Diller.

The “Houston: The Creative City” lecture will focus primarily on artists’ venues, museums, galleries and other spaces that support and nurture creativity in Houston.

“Students should attend this lecture to find out about the many creative opportunities, such as galleries, museums, graduate school and life in a big city that is accessible and not that far away to visit,” said Diller about Houston.

Diller plans to discuss cultural topics such as Rothko Chapel, De Menil Collection, Contemporary Arts Museum, Project Row Houses, Core Program/Glassell, Art Car Museum to outsider art sites including Beer Can House, Orange Show, Flower Man, the Art Guys and more.

“Hopefully it’s a full capacity crowd, anywhere around 100 or more,” said Diller. “The most interesting aspect will be hearing about all of the venues that are available to people in such a small area, the museum district.”

For more information on Diller, his history and artwork visit www.bendillerart.com.