Inspired by Elbert Hubbard’s own belief in stimulating his workers with lectures, the Roycroft is excited to bring speakers back to the Campus.
2026 Roycroft Campus Lecture Series
The Roycroft Campus is offering several lectures this coming Spring. These presentations will have both in-person and/or virtually options. Please check below for dates, times and venues.More presentations coming soon.
In person talks are in the evenings starting at 7:00pm in the Roycroft Power House. Virtual talks take place on Zoom, Saturday mornings at 11:00am EST.
Individual presentations are $10 each, or sign-up for all the talks at a discount. Roycroft Campus members receive additional discounts.
Members can call the Roycroft Campus to register for these programs, or call to become a Member at 716-655-0261.
All proceeds go to support the educational programming and restoration of the Roycroft Campus.
From Gray's Anatomy to Digital Diagnosis: Perserving the HeArt of Medicine in the Age of AI
Following in our past discussions on “Artificial Intelligence” and “Living with Beauty”, our Messenger Signals program is a series of discussions where a panel of individuals discuss Elbert Hubbard’s philosophy and how it relates to a contemporary topic focused on our lives, environment and the future.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare at breathtaking speed. From predictive diagnostics and personalized treatment plans to wearable health monitors and large language models, medicine is entering a new era. But as algorithms grow more powerful, essential questions emerge: What happens to clinical judgment when machines can predict better than humans? Can empathy, trust, and moral discernment be automated? And what must be preserved as medicine evolves? Join physicians, technologists, and scholars for a timely conversation exploring how we balance innovation with human dignity, craftsmanship, and care in the future of medicine.
Intentional time will be allocated for all gathered to discuss these topics with each other and the panelists. Social refreshments will be served.
Save your seat by registering today. Then invite someone you believe would enjoy an evening of exploration in an environment curated for creativity in community.
This in-person presentation will take place Wednesday evening, March 18th at 7:00pm in the Roycroft Power House.
Presenters Scheduled for the Evening
Join us for an evening centered on thoughtful discussion, reflection, community, and friendship. We will hear from the following panelists:
- Dr. Melinda Cameron: A recently retired general pediatrician who lives in EA and is a volunteer at the Roycroft. She trained at UB and Children’s Hospital and worked as an Assistant Professor at UB for the medical school primarily in training third year med students during their third-year clinical pediatric outpatient experiences during her over 35 years of practice. Her clinical settings included ECMC, Children’s Hospital outpatient clinics, Buffalo Public Schools health clinics, as well as other urban settings. Her unique regional expertise was in case management and treatment of lead-poisoned children in the 8 county WNY region and also served as a medical director for the Buffalo Public Schools.
- Dr. Robert Gatewood: Is a semiretired cardiologist. Previous president of Buffalo Cardiology and Pulmonary Associates.
Prior Chief of Cardiology at KaleidaHealth. Co-creator of the Gates Vascular Center. Authored a number of publications and book chapters. Serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Echocardiography. He has lectured nationally and internationally on echocardiography. Presently serves as a Faculty Coach at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biosciences, teaching medical students. - John Kraus: A fourth-year medical student at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. He has played a central role in integrating artificial intelligence into the medical school curriculum, designing and leading workshops that introduce students to AI tools in the clinical workflow. His projects include developing pilot programs for students to build competence and confidence in using emerging technologies to improve efficiency and patient care. In addition to his academic and research efforts, John is active in medical advocacy. He authored the first resolution in the Medical Society of the State of New York addressing scope of practice for artificial intelligence, advancing physician-led care and patient safety at the policy level.
- Alan Nowicki: Director of Programming for the Roycroft Campus, and art educator
Greece, Homer, Rome, Virgil, and the Epic
Wednesday, April 1st at 7:00pm EST – Roycroft Power House
An introduction to Classical history and culture and the preface to a course on The Aeneid of Vergil.
The Roman Empire was the backdrop of so much of the world we see today. Law, art, architecture, literature, government… We cannot understand ourselves without understanding the cultural roots our society has in Rome.
Rome, too, had its roots, and they, too, are part of ours. We cannot understand Roman culture without understanding its Mediterranean predecessors, the Golden Age Greeks. Greek concept, achievement, and expression was the Romans’ artistic and political inspiration.
Greece, Homer, Rome,Virgil, and the Epic is a lively audio-visual and spoken-word crash-course in Classical history, culture, and mythology. For those who would like an overview this talk may be enjoyed on its own. For those of you who wish to go further, it may sweep us into a sociable series of weekly discussions of the Roman national creation saga, The Aeneid of Vergil (click here to view this 12-week course). Swords, sorcery, mystery, romance, intrigue, and even horror… Vergil’s masterwork has it all. It is one of humanity’s great books.
Mason Winfield - Presenter
Mason Winfield
Mason Winfield (BA, Denison University, MA, Boston College) is a journalist, a folklorist, a veteran teacher, a media guest, the founder of a ghost walks company, and the author of 20 books. His talks have been sponsored by Poets & Writers, “The Big Read,” New York Council for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and First Night Saratoga. The former English chairman at The Gow School (South Wales, NY), Mason is widely regarded as an informed and entertaining speaker. More information at www.masonwinfield.com/
The Art of America at the Beginning of the 19th Century (1760-1860)
TBD at 7:00pm EST – Roycroft Power House
Registration Opening Soon
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States
In 1801, the United States had only been a country for a quarter century and was trying to find its own identity. The European influence was still great, especially when it came to art. But the 19th century would bring about a new voice, as artists in a variety of media would begin to be noticed. Come along as we explore the start of the art culture in the United States, from the first colonial painters & architects, first art school to the Hudson River School and the American Romantics.
The date for this presentation still needs to be finalized
Registration Opening Soon
Alan Nowicki - Presenter
Alan Nowicki
Alan Nowicki is the Director of Programming at the National Historic Landmark, Roycroft Campus. He has been a teacher for more than 25 years, having taught in every grade level from Pre-K through college, specializing in art and history. A regular speaker at local schools, libraries, churches, and historical sites around Western New York. Past presentations have included talks at the Buffalo History Museum, Iowa State University, the Folger Shakespeare Conference, and the Smithsonian.
All proceeds go to support the educational programming and restoration of the Roycroft Campus.
The Roycroft History Course and special presentations are made possible by the County of Erie and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
