“Muses, and Devas, and Manes, Oh My: Archetypes and Their Influence On the Artist”

Join prize-winning visual artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, Derek Menchan, for a discussion on the influence of archetypes on the creative mind. From the notion that the muses secretly drop off cosmic and celestial gifts to the artist, to the idea that the devil can make one do things, to the very words ‘enthusiasm’ or ‘inspiration,’ anthropomorphized concepts–the archetypes–are constantly at work in the mind of the creative.  This lecture is free and open to the public.

About Derek Menchan

Derek Menchan is a producer, multi-instrumentalist, an artist for NS Design, and a visual artist. He is currently a Professor of Humanities and Music at Polk State College. He is a versatile musician, equally at home playing works of venerated “classical” composers as well as bebop jazz charts and avant-garde and world music. Trained at the Manhattan School, Menchan studied with supervirtuosi Laszlo Varga, Janos Starker, Olga and Slava Rostropovich, and Harvey Shapiro. Menchan’s visceral and penetrating approach to music-making has been informed by his collaborations with various poets, painters, dance troupes, and videographers, in addition to his appointments as solo cellist with the New York Pro Arte Ensemble, Houston’s OrchestraX and the Orlando Symphony. Hailed as an “Ubercellist” by Inside Houston Magazine, Menchan maintains a busy schedule as a recitalist, chamber musician and composer, having performed throughout the U.S. and also in Canada and Europe.