The Reboli Center for Art and History’s fourth Third Friday series features Claire Nicolas White of St. James, New York. Ms. White is an award winning writer who has lived a life of extraordinary privilege all over the world. Claire was born more than 90 years ago into a famous Dutch family known for their stained glass artistry. When WWII threatened, the Nicolas family moved to the United States. She married Robert White, grandson of Stanford White, and her life in the ensuing years was one meshed with the creative arts that were a part of this family and also a part of her many friends.

Her debut novel was The Death of the Orange Trees, a story about an old New England family trying to keep up an elegant lifestyle too lavish for their means. When originally published, Life Magazine called it “…an American Cherry Orchard.” Claire’s memoir, Fragments of Stained Glass, received a rave review on the front page of the NY Times Book Review section. Her latest book, Delphine, is a thinly-veiled account of the tumultuous relationship the art patron Peggy Guggenheim had with her own daughter. Claire knew them both well. The novel vividly recreates Manhattan, and particularly the thriving modern art scene during the 1940’s and 1950’s.

Bruce Stasiuk will interview the author and it should be a fascinating discussion with one of the last of the literary lions. Ms. White’s books will be available to purchase.