Michela Carter, author of “Leonora in the Morning Light”, visits the desert
At Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, author Michela Carter told the members of the Desert Literary Society: “I was in Europe looking for surrealist artists and saw a fabulous painting by Leonora Carrington, which I had never heard of. The more I learned about this female artist, the more I knew her story. had to be told, so I wrote ‘Leonora in the Morning Light.'” The novel is based on real events and historical figures.
President of the Literary Society of the Desert Nancy Cunningham warmly welcomed members and guests after a two-year hiatus. She thanked the board members Joanne Mintz, Michael Smith, Donna Martin, Carrie Brookshire, Joe Basak and Malinda Gilchrist. Cunningham introduced Carter as a poet and painter whose novel would transport readers to another world.
Carter briefly shared the untold story of Carrington’s life as a female surrealist painter during the cultural movement in the aftermath of World War I. Carrington was an integral part of the Parisian world of studios and cafés where visionaries of the Surrealist movement like Max Ernst, Andre Brenton, Pablo Picasso, Lee Miller, Man Ray and Salvador Dali challenged conventional approaches to art and life. Carrington created more than 2,000 works of art during his 94 years of life, and multiple examples of his work were projected on large screens as Carter spoke.
Students and faculty at Xavier College Preparatory High School had the opportunity to meet Carter before lunch of baby spinach and arugula salad with shaved fennel, poached pears, golden raisins with Champagne vinaigrette and Mirin roast chicken entree, sweet pea risotto, snap peas in white butter sauce with Chardonnay. Dessert was cheesecake with strawberry coulis sauce.
The Literary Society of the Desert will welcome Julia Sweigauthor of “Lady Bird Johnson” at the La Quinta Country Club on March 16.
Marge Dodge sits on several local non-profit boards supporting her passions for education, literacy and the arts. She is a member of the advisory board of the Literary Society of the Desert and handles public relations.
