Smart Talks. Cold Drinks.
Presenting THINK & DRINK – where the curious gather. This ongoing lecture series delivers a wide array of topics that generate fresh perspectives, ideas, and discussion. These community-driven events are powered by a collaboration between UMKC, Linda Hall Library, The Third Place Historian, and Casual Animal Brewing Company.
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March 5, 2026
Distilling the Alchemy: The Research & Findings that Shaped Linda Hall Library's New Exhibit
Speakers/Panelists: Dr. Eric Dorfman, President and CEO of Linda Hall Library; Dr. Laurie Ellinghausen, Professor in the UMKC School of Humanities & Social Sciences; Ali Bustos, Multidisciplinary Artist
Moderator: Olivia Tigges, Grants Specialist & Volunteer Program Manager at Linda Hall Library
On March 13, the Linda Hall Library will debut Alchemy of Knowledge, the largest exhibition in the organization’s history. Presented as the Library celebrates its 80th anniversary, the exhibition takes us on a journey through the powerful intersections of literature, art, the humanities, and science across centuries, revealing how these disciplines have continually shaped and transformed society. Alchemy of Knowledge reflects the Library’s enduring work to protect, preserve, and advance STEM scholarship and literature while illuminating its relevance for future generations.
Moderated by Linda Hall Library’s Olivia Tigges, this panel discussion will bring together three of the leading voices behind the exhibition: Dr. Eric Dorfman, President & CEO of the Linda Hall Library; Dr. Laurie Ellinghausen, Professor of Humanities & Social Sciences at UMKC; and local artist Ali Bustos. Together, they will discuss the ideas, research, and creative vision that guided the development of this landmark exhibition.
Disruption drives cultural transformation, and history reminds us that this is not a modern phenomenon. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, breakthroughs in science, exploration, and artistic expression reshaped how people understood truth and possibility. Today, we stand in a similarly dynamic moment, where rapid change again challenges us to rethink established systems. Each era of disruption asks the same question: how might we alchemize uncertainty into discovery & progress?
The Library also extends distinguished recognition and gratitude to the Linda Hall Library team whose determination, vision, and craftsmanship brought Alchemy of Knowledge to life: Scott Perich, Vice President of Visitor Experience; Josh Judin, Visual Designer; Noah Anthony, Graphic Designer; and Francisco Gabuardy, Exhibition Specialist.
Speaker /Panelist Bios:
Dr. Eric Dorfman, PhD, President & CEO of Linda Hall Library —
Dr. Eric Dorfman, PhD joined Linda Hall Library as the President and CEO in June 2023, following a very successful tenure as Director & CEO of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. He is the author of 5 works on New Zealand natural history, climate change, and museology, as well as scholarly papers on museum education, public programming, Egyptology, and the ecology of wetland birds. He is a frequent public speaker and presenter, with his most recent podcast, Love Nature, reaching the top 10% of listenership worldwide. Dr. Dorfman's leadership, guidance, and subject matter expertise has been foundational in the development and success of Alchemy of Knowledge, the largest exhibit Linda Hall Library has ever displayed.
Dr. Laurie Ellinghausen, Professor in the UMKC School of Humanities & Social Sciences —
Dr. Ellinghausen has been at UMKC since 2003. She is a scholar of early modern English literature, including Shakespeare, with a specialization in class studies, labor studies, and the literature of early British empire. Her most recent monograph addresses representations of the common seaman and his labor in the imaginative works of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Britain. She has also published a modernized critical edition of a 1590 Lord Mayor's show for the scholarly database Map of Early Modern London. Ellinghausen also has an interest in Shakespearean pedagogy, having edited a book of essays about teaching Shakespeare's English history plays for the Modern Language Association— this specific background made Dr. Ellinghausen an invaluable resource and partner for the research that went into developing Alchemy of Knowledge.
Ali Bustos, Multidisciplinary Artist —
Ali Bustos is a KC-based multidisciplinary artist. Her work explores the intricacies of human connection through acrylic paint, gouache, soft sculpture, and large-scale felted wool. The importance of connection extends beyond her studio practice into her work as a birth doula and as a handwork educator with refugee women in Costa Rica. Over the years her paintings and soft sculptures have been found in group exhibits, coffee shops, boutiques, and regional art shows. Most recently, she was selected as one of twenty Artist INC 2025 artists. Having spent countless hours in collaboration with LHL’s exhibition team over the last several months, Ali has played a vital role in Alchemy of Knowledge through her creation of artwork which furthers the visual narrative of the exhibit. As a lover of trees, books, and architecture, Ali first experienced the wonders of LHL during her fine art undergrad at UMKC. Her current work with the library reflects a deep commitment to research, layered perspectives, and the belief that knowledge is transformative. She sees this as a beautiful opportunity for the art to set a tone, encouraging viewers in their exploration of science history.
Olivia Tigges, Grants Specialist & Volunteer Program Manager at Linda Hall Library (Moderator) —
Olivia Tigges joined Linda Hall Library as the Grants Specialist & Volunteer Program Manager in March 2025. She received her BA in Political Science from the University of Kansas in 2022, and her MA in Public Policy & Advocacy from Drake University in 2023. Additionally, she received her minors in Global Conflict & Peace Studies and Public Administration in 2021 during a semester-long intensive program at the University of Stirling in Scotland. As LHL's Grants Specialist & Volunteer Program Manager, Olivia's work focuses mostly on fundraising and philanthropy for education, exhibition, and programming initiatives, as well as recruiting for and overseeing the brand new volunteer program— the two areas of nonprofit management that she's most passionate about.