The latest installment of Meet the Past with Crosby Kemper III spotlights two of the Midwest’s greatest artists, Kansas City’s Thomas Hart Benton and Iowan Grant Wood, painter of the iconic American Gothic. Kemper, the Library’s director, holds a public conversation with Benton and Wood as respectively portrayed by veteran actor Robert Gibby Brand and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s Matt Rapport. The event is co-presented by the Lyric Opera of Kansas City in conjunction with its production of The Elixir of Love later in March. Taking inspiration from Benton for its costumes, and from Wood for scenery, the Lyric resets Gaetano Donizetti’s sentimental comedy in early 20th-century America. Major funding for Meet the Past is provided by the R.C. Kemper Jr. Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee. The presentation will be taped by KCPT-TV for later broadcast.