Chalk Talks for Young People by J. W. VanDeventer. Low Art made High

Years ago I collected about a dozen “Chalk Talk” books. Chalk Talk is what that charlatan Glenn Beck used to do to confuse his unwitting tv followers…It’s a propaganda technique that was primarily applied by traveling religious preachers who seemingly couldn’t keep any other job. It involves drawing moral stories on a blackboard while using patter to distract…mostly from the Bible. Moral lessons illustrated with drawing meant to keep the chairs filled before the collection basket. I would call it a “low” art rather than high, but these illustrations from J. W. Van Deventer cross over into real art. The cream of the chalk crop! His “Chalk Talks for Young People” book, now well over 100 years old is as good as the technique gets…a shame I can’t find a film of the obfuscating master at work. VanDeventer, from Michigan, lived from 1855 to 1939 and graduated from Hillsdale College. The college helped advise on the hate document “Project 2025” which is causing so much discourse today. Shudder. Illustrations from Chalk Talks for Young People by J W Van Deventer c. 1900. No date in book, collection Dull Tool Dim Bulb