Lecturing About Art Crime Around the World

Laura was inspired to write The Atlas of Art Crime because she lectures globally on the topic, tailoring her lectures to art crimes that occurred in the region of where she is asked to speak. Below are some of the places and topics Laura has lectured about around the world.

If you are interested in her speaking near you, contact Laura here:

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2025

New York Miami Vice: Jewel Theft at NYC’s American Museum of Natural History
Boston American Art Crime Storytime
Halifax, Canada “It’s All Been Done Before”: The Norval Morrisseau Forgeries
Reykjavik Dyeing the Geysers Pink: Artists in Iceland and Abroad Arrested for Art Crimes

2024

Rome Caravaggio: Murder, Mayhem, and the Mafia
Pompeii “I Wish I Hadn’t Done That”: The Curse of Pompeii and Other Art Crime Regrets
Taormina Looting Italy: The Stolen Goddess of Morgantina
Valletta Caravaggio: Murder, Mayhem, and the Mafia
Ft Worth, TX American Art Crime Storytime
Los Angeles For Crying Out Loud: The Theft of Picasso’s Weeping Woman
Sydney, Australia For Crying Out Loud: The Theft of Picasso’s Weeping Woman
Dunedin, New Zealand The Missing Macchiaiolis: Half a World Away in Dunedin
Christchurch, New Zealand Abductions: The Theft (and Return) of the Motunui Panels to the Te Ati Awa

2023

Bordeaux Stealing (Back?) Chinese Art From Europe: Who is Stealing Chinese Art From European Collections?
Bristol Taken: A Love Story (The Theft of Gainsborough’s: The Duchess of Devonshire)
Bilbao The Bilbao Effect: Art Museums and Starchitecture
Lisbon True Tales from the History of European Art Theft
Denton, TX “We Didn’t Really Think We’d Get Away With It”: Amateur Art Crime
Shanghai How Artist-Made Reproductions and Repatriation Can Strengthen Museums and Their Communities: A Case Study

2022

Amsterdam Rembrandt and Vandalism of The Night Watch
Paris Lecture Title: Missing: The Theft of The Mona Lisa
London Losing Their Marbles? The Past, Present, and Future of the Elgin Marbles
Algiers, Algeria Looting North Africa: Antiquities Trafficking in Algeria and Tunisia

2021

Bermuda Emerald Isle: The Theft of Tucker’s Cross from Bermuda

2019

Amsterdam Han van Meegeren: Art Forger and Dutch National Hero
Stockholm Scandinavian Swipes and Stings: Art Crime in Scandinavia
Helsinki Scandinavian Swipes and Stings: Art Crime in Scandinavia
Tallin True Tales from the History of European Art Theft
Edinburgh The Provenance Trap: John Drewe and John Myatt
Dublin “We Didn’t Really Think We’d Get Away With It”: Amateur Art Crime
Dallas, Texas F is for Forgery: Algur Meadows, Dallas, and the “Greatest Forger of Our Time”
Buenos Aires Knowledge is Not Always Power: The Effect of Looting on National Heritage

Attendees’ Feedback

Comments collected after lectures via anonymous survey by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of North Texas. For information or questions on how comments were collected or their validity, please contact The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNT

“I was thoroughly entertained by Laura’s mysterious, funny, exciting, and excellent presentation. I really did not know what to expect. She kept me engaged from the second she started until it was over. Gosh, I really, didn't want it to end.”
– Lecture Attendee, 2024
“Dr. Evans is very engaging. Her “lectures” just seem like conversations she’s having with friends. But at the same time, she manages to share lots and lots of information. I’m envious of the university students that actually take her classes and get to listen to her every week.”
– Lecture Attendee, 2021
“Loved every moment. Very entertaining, educational, and presented with a sense of humor... and a little sarcasm.”
– Lecture Attendee, 2024
“I have never laughed (and learned) that much at a lecture. It was FUN. What Laura calls “historical gossiping” about art crime is a hoot. She is captivating. I could have listened to her for days.”
– Lecture Attendee, 2024
“I was hooked from the moment the lecture began. Dr. Evans was organized, she knew the material well, her slides were excellent, the pace was steady, but not hurried, and she was entertaining in her presentation.”
– Lecture Attendee
"I probably learned how to steal art off a museum wall, but I would have tripped and fallen down the stairs as I was leaving the museum, which would make it doubly embarrassing when the museum guards arrested me. I don't think this is in my future. But, I really did enjoy her presentation.”
– J. Alexander, 2023
“I love being in the front row for these great lectures. This was as good as it gets, entertaining, educational, and just fun learning.”
– Lecture Attendee, 2024
“Lots of interesting information presented in an easy to understand and often humorous way. Laura knew her material. There was not a boring moment. And, I learned a lot. She is one of the best.”
– Lecture Attendee, 2024
“Dr. Evans was well prepared with beautiful and well-organized slides. She delighted us with her sense of humor and her clear enjoyment of the scandalous side stories of the characters involved in this art theft. We were entertained, and we enjoyed every minute of learning about the theft and eventual return of Picasso’s The Weeping Woman.”
– Lecture Attendee, 2024
“Absolutely fabulous lecture. Laura is a master speaker. Looking forward to reading her book.”
– Lecture Attendee, 2024