BATAVIA – The Fox Valley Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago is hosting a new year program meeting beginning at 4 p.m. with a social hour Jan. 13, at the Lincoln Inn, 1345 Batavia Ave. (Route 31), Batavia.

The topic of the event is “Imagining the American West.” The lecture will begin at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Over time, artists have visualized, mythologized, and romanticized the days of cowboys and Indians in the American West.

Allison Muscolino will lead the group through the work of artist’s Elbridge Ayer Burbank, Frederic Remington and Charles Marion Russell, along with the Wild West shows of Buffalo Bill Cody.

Muscolino has been associated with the Art Institute since 2008 as co-ordinator of senior programs and co-ordinator of the Woman’s Board, and she is now the Community Associates co-ordinator.

The cost to attend is $55 for members and non-members alike and includes the social hour with appetizers, the lecture and dinner. To make reservations, call Pauline at 630-587-6468 by Saturday, Jan. 5.