www.gusfieldspeaks.com

JEFFREY GUSFIELD

is the author of Chicago Valentines and other works of both non-fiction and fiction. He is an experienced speaker on History, Art History and other topics.

An Art Dealer and retailer for 33 years, he has written How to Make Retail Selling an Art as a retail consultant. He is also a professional Keynote & Power Point presenter

B.F.A. in Theater, Drake University, 1970. Second City Actor’s Studio, 1972-1973. M.L.S., Lake Forest College, 1999. Partner, Gusfield-Glimer Galleries, 1978-2007. Writer/Author, 2007 to present

Jeff has been speaking since 1965 when he was a finalist in the Illinois State Speech Contest in Original Comedy Monologue. He has a long history in theater and speech, with a degree in Theater Arts from Drake University where he was mentored by W.S.E. Coleman, award-winning playwright and historical writer.

With an exceptionally strong background in Art History, Jeff became an International Art Dealer in 1975. His gallery with his beloved partner Josef Glimer lasted for 30 years; it was one of the premier retail collections on the North Shore of Chicago. They sold fine art to private individuals, public institutions, and museums.

Jeff went back for his Masters degree in the MLS program at Lake Forest College. There he completed his thesis on Machine Gun Jack McGurn, which he expanded into his narrative non-fiction book, Chicago Valentines. Jeff has been "researching" McGurn since he was five, when in 1953, a photograph of the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre changed his consciousness (and ruined his life, according to his mother). If you want to make Jeff happy, get him to speak about Jack McGurn and his blonde alibi Louise Rolfe.

Jeff has been married to his sweetie Ann, a landscape Designer, since 1978.