Speakers

Cindy Ingraham Keefer is the artist who created the Celestial Globe, a massive and monumental bronze sculpture installed permanently in Gravity's Stairway at Griffith Observatory in January 2026. The 800-pound bronze sphere that is over 4 foot in diameter draws inspiration from the Farnese Atlas, a second-century Roman sculpture, and features 46 classical constellations cast in bronze. The work offers visitors a striking encounter with the ancient origins of astronomy and the enduring human effort to understand the sky, and rotates to allow viewers to observe how the ancients imagined the heavens turning in Atlas's grip. Realized in close collaboration with structural engineers, fabricators, and Observatory leadership, the Celestial Globe stands as Griffith Observatory's first major new exhibit in nearly two decades and will be experienced by more than 1.5 million annual visitors.

Cindy has been working in bronze for over 15 years working upon commission creating mostly dedication sculptures. She is a multi-disciplinary artist who also supports fashion designers in downtown LA. The Portuguese Bend is her home that she shares with her 2 doodles, dozens of peacocks and her husband, Tom Keefer.

Join us for a facinating talk on the military history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula with Jim Shneer. Jim is a former aerospace engineering manager who, since retiring, has become an author and speaker on a variety of military subjects. To read more about his work, please visit https://easyreadernews.com/the-battle-that-didnt-happen/. To learn about the military history of Fort MacArthur and Palos Verdes, please visit http://www.lulu.com/shop/james-shneer/exploring-the- military-history-of-fort-macarthur-and-palos-verdes/paperback/product-23784472.html to purchase a copy of his recent book.