PLEASE NOTE: The information below is for our September 2021 trip to Boston, which is now complete.
Please check back for future Art Encounter trips.
Boston: Past and Present
Wednesday, September 22-Monday, September 27, 2021
Price: $3450
Join Joanna Pinsky on an exclusive excursion to the City of Boston renowned for its history, culture and innovation. Feast your eyes on beautiful parks, waterfront views and the narrow city streets that tell the story of early American history. Nourish your mind while we explore fascinating contemporary art in world-class museums and extraordinary private sculpture collections. Get a personal introduction to the city through conversations with artists in their homes and studios where you’ll discover the rich variety of art emerging in this potent city. Enjoy sumptuous international cuisine and dishes that are New England specialties, and relax at our hotel, the historic Boston Park Plaza Hotel situated near the Public Garden, the Boston Common and downtown.
Trip is limited to 15 fully-vaccinated participants. You must be a current member of Art Encounter to participate.
Cost includes five nights hotel accommodations; four dinners, lunches, and light breakfasts; one brunch; transportation by motor coach; expert guides; all museum entrance fees and special tours. Does not include airfare, transfers to hotel, porter tips, alcohol, or incidental room charges.
A $700 deposit is required to reserve your spot. Deposit must be paid prior to June 28, 2021. Please contact sarah@artencounter.org with any questions.
Please do not purchase airfare until notified that the trip is confirmed by Art Encounter.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Early American history walking tour with a professional guide
Visits to homes and studios of inventive artists using a variety of creative processes
Tour of MIT’s vast collection of outdoor sculpture and unforgettable contemporary architecture
Countryside excursion to Lincoln, an elegant rural town, and visit to the outstanding deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum to explore its elegant landscape, sculpture garden, and museum exhibitions
Visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art located on Boston Harbor in the city’s dynamic Seaport district
Tour of outstanding Boston murals with a local mural guide
Visit to the The Museum of Fine Arts Boston featuring selections from their collection featured in current exhibitions
Visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum situated in gardens and walkways featuring art across centuries and cultures with a contemporary addition designed by Renzo Piano
Work by local Boston painter Barbara Grad
INTERESTED IN JOINING US?
Please email our Art Tours and Travel Manager Sarah Packer to register.
ITINERARY
Please note: itinerary is subject to change.
Day one: Wednesday, September 22
We’ll begin by meeting in the hotel lobby at 2:00 pm for introductions. Then, we’ll head out for a walking tour of early American history and Boston’s North End. We’ll take some time to relax at the hotel before meeting at 6:00 pm for a reception at a private art gallery before our welcome dinner.
Day two: Thursday, September 23
We’ll spend our first full day at the Institute of Contemporary Art, which was designed by award-winning architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro to be a contemplative place for experiencing art with views of Boston’s revitalized harbor. Following lunch, we’ll visit several artists in The Artist Building at 300 Summer Street, a self-governing, artist-owned live-work cooperative for visual artists in downtown Boston, in the heart of the vibrant Fort Point Arts Community. We’ll return to the hotel, relax or explore shopping in the neighborhood before meeting for dinner.
Day Three: Friday, September 24
We’ll begin the day with an exploration of some of Boston’s murals and street art with a local mural specialist. Then we’ll head to visit the Museum of Fine Arts to see works from their outstanding collections, including selections from Women Take the Floor, an exhibit in 7 galleries spanning 100 years and challenging the dominant history of 20th century art by focusing on the often overlooked and underrepresented work of women artists. We will discuss the role art history plays in how we relegate importance and power to artists. Then, we’ll return to hotel at 3:30 before meeting at 4:30 for a cocktail reception at an artist’s studio in Wayland, a historic town. Participants can have dinner on their own or join Joanna.
Day Four: Saturday, September 25
On Saturday, we’ll depart for Lincoln, a beautiful rural town. There, we’ll visit the elegantly landscaped deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum. We’ll also have lunch in town. Afternoon activities TBA. We’ll relax at the hotel before having dinner together as a group.
Day Five: Sunday, September 26
We’ll spend the day across the river in Cambridge, beginning with a stop in Harvard Square and a view of the nation’s oldest university. Next, we’ll tour MIT’s phenomenal sculpture collection and view Frank Gehry’s amazing jumbled Stata building. We’ll have lunch in Cambridge before visiting an artists’ studio building in Sommerville, then return to the hotel and relax before our farewell dinner.
Day Six: Monday, September 27
We’ll meet for one last group breakfast before our visit to the famous Isabelle Gardner Museum. The Venetian inspired Palazzo was designed to incorporate landscape and gardens with lovely outdoor paths and views from inside. A modern glass wing to showcase contemporary art opened in 2012. The architect, Renzo Piano, created a long glass corridor surrounded by gardens to connect the two buildings and showcase views of the original building. Please plan your return flight no earlier than 5:30 pm to ensure enough time to get back to the airport.
