AUBURN — Adolf Hitler was an artist in more ways than one. “He was a performing artist and he knew the power of color, music and speeches,” according to well-known local professor Charlie Plummer.

Hitler was also a master at using art in the anti-Jewish movement. The swastika was a powerful symbol, and, Plummer noted, Hitler also made use of Wagnerian music.

Plummer, a retired educator and family counselor, and a longtime instructor for Lewiston-Auburn and Mid-Coast Senior colleges, will give a presentation on Hitler’s artwork and his use of art for propaganda on Monday, Oct. 4, at the Auburn Art Club’s first meeting of the new season.

As a lifetime student and researcher, Plummer teaches a wide range of courses in history, psychology, sociology, literature, human behavior and anthropology. He has bachelor of science and master degrees in education, and a Ph.D. in religious studies and metaphysics.

Plummer said he did further research on the subject of Hitler and art as a result of interest shown by students of classes he was teaching at L-A Senior College of the University of Southern Maine. He is currently teaching a class on Hitler, the architect of doom, at Mid-Coast College, and he is a teacher of living history.

“My students would say, ‘Tell me more,’ and that led to this connection with his early years when Hitler wanted to be an artist,” Plummer said.

Hitler applied to art school, but was rejected because he could not draw human figures. He drew buildings and other architectural subjects. He drew extremely demeaning pictures of Jewish people.

“When the school rejected him, whom did he blame? He blamed the Jews who were on the committee. He was no kinder than the committee that rejected him in the first place,” Plummer said.

In later years when Hitler had gained power, he administered a huge art museum in Munich. He selected all the paintings, and he would not allow any work by Jewish artists to be displayed.

Plummer noted that Hitler recognized the power of bold colors in propaganda posters, stirring music at rallies and strong oratorical techniques.

“When we think of Hitler, we think of the holocaust and all the horrors of that time,” Plummer said. “We have to wonder … if he had been accepted to art school, would all of that have been different?”

Plummer’s presentation will begin at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Auburn, 439 Park Ave. The Auburn Art Club consists of 50 women interested in all the arts. Bonnie Ross of Auburn is the club’s new president.