The Asheville Art Museum invites you to join Executive Director Pamela Myers for two cultural trips...

Philadelphia: October 22 - 26, 2008

Brazil and Argentina: February 14 - 21, 2009...reservation deadline extended!

Register for Brazil and Argentina now!

PHILADELPHIA: OCTOBER 22-26, 2008

Wednesday, October 22 – Arrive in Philadelphia and check in to the Radisson Plaza Warwick Hotel, an intimate European-style hotel off Rittenhouse Square. Enjoy lunch on your own prior to an afternoon tour of the cultural district of Philadelphia, including City Hall and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Tour Eastern State Penitentiary, designed by the noted architect John Haviland. This was the world’s first true penitentiary, a prison designed to inspire penitence in the hearts of convicts including bank robber Willie Sutton and Al Capone – now it is a contemporary art space filled with fascinating installations. Our welcome dinner will be at Jack’s Firehouse, a turn-of-the-century firehouse converted into a fine dining establishment. D

Thursday, October 23 – Depart for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, unique among American museums in its integrated presentation of both the fine and decorative arts from Asia, Europe and the U.S. Enjoy a private overview tour of the museum’s treasures, including Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and then explore the museum on your own including the special exhibit: Gee’s Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt. Rejoin your group in the Zagat-rated Museum Restaurant. After lunch visit either: The Museum’s exciting new Perelman Building or The Rodin Museum. You can also enjoy the afternoon on your own, exploring Philadelphia’s vibrant center city or Old City neighborhoods and shops. Dinner this evening will be on your own. B, L

Friday, October 24 – Begin your day at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the nation’s first art school and museum.  You will have the opportunity to see one of the finest collections of American art in the nation housed both in the Academy’s historic 1876 landmark building as well as its dazzling new Samuel M.V. Hamilton building displaying contemporary works. The Academy’s permanent collection includes works by Academy founder Charles Wilson Peale, Thomas Eakins, Mary Cassatt and other luminaries. Enjoy lunch on your own at the lively Reading Terminal Market, a 105-year-old farmers’ market in a restored train station. In the afternoon, visit the Fabric Workshop and Museum with its permanent collection of new work created by artists at the Workshop as well their current exhibition Ed Ruscha: Industrial Strength. After this we will enjoy a visit to an artist studio. You may choose to remain in Old City for an evening on your own; one option is to see Beethoven’s Fidelio by the Opera Company of Philadelphia. B

Saturday, October 25 – Visit the Barnes Foundation, one of the finest private collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early-modern art in the world. Enjoy an informal buffet lunch in a lovely private home. This afternoon, visit the home and studio of painter, sculptor and furniture-maker Wharton Esherick (1887-1970), who worked in a magnificent 5-story studio housed in an old stone farmhouse, now containing over 200 examples of this master craftsman’s works. You may wish to have a pre-dinner drink at the Continental Diner’s Rooftop Lounge where you can meet and talk with Richard Stokes, the architect of the Continental Diner. This evening’s farewell dinner is at Susanna Foo, offering the city’s finest fusion fare and lauded as one of the Nation’s best restaurants. B, L, D

Sunday, October 26 – Board a special trolley for a guided tour of some of Philadelphia’s extensive collection of dramatic and colorful Mural Art. More than 2,000 murals adorn walls throughout the city, representing the collective vision and hope of the communities in which they are located. Prior to your departure for home, enjoy a sumptuous brunch at the Omni Hotel’s Azalea Room in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic district. B

COST PER PERSON

Double Occupancy = $1,955         Single Occupancy = $2,435

B = Breakfast                    L = Lunch                          D = Dinner

REGISTRATION:  To confirm your space on this tour, please contact Nancy Sokolove, Adult Programs Manager, 828.253.3227, ext. 120 for a registration form, and mail it with your deposit check in the amount of $200 double occupancy, $300 single occupancy.  Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We ask that all reservations be received by August 31, 2008.  Final payment is due by October 1, 2008. Credit card purchases have a 3% credit card surcharge.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND TOUR CONDITIONS

INCLUDED: Hotel baggage handling. Gratuities for guide, bus driver and restaurants. All city and state taxes. Tax deductible contribution to Asheville Art Museum. Hosted by Pamela Myers.

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare. Airport transfers. Gratuities for skycap at airport arrival/departure. Hotel room service, tips for maids. Fees incurred from deviating from group itinerary (booking a different route or schedule). Optional entertainment suggestions. Meals and sightseeing not specified in the itinerary; optional trip cancellation/travel protection insurance. Group members will be contacted closer to departure to see if they would like to arrange similar flights and airport shuttles.

COSTS:  Costs are based on rates in effect on August 1, 2008 and are subject to change.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: Cancellations received before September 18, 2008 will be subject to penalties for all non-recoverable costs not to exceed $500 per person. Cancellations received between September 18, 2008 and October 1, 2008 will result in a forfeiture of 50% of the total cost per person. Cancellations received after October 1, 2008 will be subject to penalties for all non-recoverable costs not to exceed the full cost of the trip. No refunds will be issued for unused portions of the tour once the tour begins.

RESPONSIBILITY: Philadelphia Hospitality, Inc. and/or its agents and Asheville Art Museum act only as the agents of the various companies over the lines of which tickets are routed and this tour operated. The tour operator hereby reserves the right to cancel or alter the tour as she may deem necessary. No refunds will be made for any part of this tour in which you choose not to participate.

BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA: FEBRUARY 14-21, 2009

Click here for the full brochure

Click here to download the registration form

Saturday, February 14 – Arrive in Rio de Janeiro and check in to the Pestana Hotel, situated on Rio’s most famous beach. In the afternoon, our first visit will be to the Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro, an impressive modernist building. We will then ascend Pão de Açúcar (“Sugar Loaf” Mountain) in a cable car to admire the spectacular aerial view of the city. Our welcome dinner will be held at Porcão, where Brazil’s famous churrascaria dining experience will tempt us with a variety of meats. D

Sunday, February 15 – In the morning, we will visit the unique Baroque Church Mosteiro de São Bento founded in the 1565 by Benedictine Monks. Our next visit will be to The Paço Imperial, one of the main political centers of Brazil for nearly 150 years. We will then walk to the enchanting Cais do Oriente restaurant for a delicious meal. At The Contemporary Art Museum in Niterói, the Museum Director will greet us and give us a tour of the building and the collection. A private schooner will pick us up from a nearby marina; en route to Rio, we will enjoy a cruise on Guanabara Bay. Rio’s resplendent landscape will paint the backdrop for our cruise while samba and cocktails will provide relaxed afternoon entertainment. We will return to our hotel for a free evening and dinner on your own. B, L

Monday, February 16 – We will start the day with a visit to an artist studio. We will then visit A Gentil Carioca gallery. Owned by three famous artists (Laura Lima, Ernesto Neto and Marcio Bortner), the gallery exhibits works by young and emerging art stars. A charming lunch will be enjoyed at the rustic Aprazível. We will then visit the Museu Chácara do Céu, which contains 20^th century masterpieces including Degas and Matisse, as well as works by prominent Brazilian modernists. A visit to an artist studio will be our next stop. We will then visit the Lurixs art gallery, which focuses mostly on formal and concrete influenced artists. Gallery owner and private collector Ricardo Rego will welcome us to his beautiful home to view his collection of Brazilian Concretism and host us for dinner. B, L, D

Tuesday, February 17 – In the morning, we will drive to the estate of the late Burle Marx. His influence on Brazilian landscape architecture is profound; the gardens on his 100-acre estate are breathtaking, combining a mix of both modern and traditional. Next will be a visit to Casa do Pontal, the Folk Art Museum, housing one of the most important folk collections in Brazil with 8,000 works by more than 200 artists from all over the country. Lunch will be at Quintas, a cozy colonial house in a tropical garden serving traditional Brazilian dishes. We will visit the collection of Fabio Swarcwald, a young collector with an excellent selection of cutting-edge Brazilian art. Enjoy a free evening and dinner on your own. B, L

Wednesday, February 18 – Transfer to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, we will be transported to the NH Crillón Hotel, located in Plaza San Martin. The collection of Juan & Patricia Vergez, our first collection in Buenos Aires, showcases many local and international stars. Dinner at the popular Cabaña Las Lilas in Puerto Madero; no visit to Argentina is complete without experiencing the succulent Argentine beef that comes from the restaurant’s private estancia. B, D

Thursday, February 19 – Set off on a walking tour in the morning with a focus on the most significant city sites including the Main Square, Plaza de Mayo and Presidential Palace. We will stop for a coffee at Café Tortoni, the oldest coffee house in Buenos Aires. Lunch will be at the 18^th Century La Merced Convent. Following lunch, we will visit the Ruth Benzacar Gallery, where we will meet with its directors and converse with artists. We will then be led on an informative tour of MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires) and be received by Museum Director Marcelo Pacheco. We will visit the collection of Mauro Herlitzka, a key figure in the Argentine art movement. Afterwards we will enjoy an exclusive visit to the private collection of Anibal Jozami. Dinner will be on your own. B, L

Friday, February 20 – We will visit the Jorge Helft art collection which gathers works by prominent Argentinean artists, and then enjoy the lovely home of Andrea Hirsch, a longtime patron of the arts, where a handful of local artists will join us for an Argentine barbeque. Visit the Braga Menendez Gallery to look at contemporary art by emerging Argentinean artists. In the afternoon is a visit to the fashionable neighborhood of Palermo for some shopping. A visit to the collection of Marion Epinger will provide us with an overview of Argentinean art in the last fifty years. For a very special farewell meal, we will savor a delicious dinner at Casa Cruz. B, L, D

Saturday, February 21 – For our last morning we will tour the Recoleta Cemetery. Located in an upscale neighborhood, this is the final resting place of many of Argentina’s wealthiest and most famous families and personages including Evita Peron. Lunch will be at the Italian restaurant Prima Fila. Enjoy the afternoon free. Transfer to the airport on your own. B, L

ESTIMATED COST PER PERSON

Double Occupancy = $5,125         Single Occupancy = $ 6,035

B = Breakfast                    L = Lunch                          D = Dinner

REGISTRATION: To confirm your space on this tour, please contact Rebecca Lynch-Maass, Membership Manager at 828.253.3227, ext. 114 for a registration form, and mail it with your deposit check in the amount of $1,000.  Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We ask that all reservations be received by September 5, 2008.  Final payment is due by November 20, 2008. Credit card purchases have an additional 3% credit card surcharge.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND TOUR CONDITIONS

INCLUDED: 4 nights in Rio de Janeiro and 3 nights in Buenos Aires. International airfare from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires. Meals as outlined in itinerary: daily breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners. Bottled water, soft drinks and beer are included at all meals; all other drinks are the responsibility of the individual passengers.  Transportation in an air-conditioned private coach. Program direction and coordination; full-time escort from Art Quest International. Local guides in each city. Entrance fees to all museums and events listed in itinerary.  Pre-departure information and travel tips booklet. Tax deductible contribution to Asheville Art Museum. Hosted by Pamela Myers.

NOT INCLUDED: International airfare to and from USA.  Airport transfers. Tips to guides, drivers, restaurant staff and hotel porters. Individualized hotel expenses. Drinks other than wine and beer at meals. Fees incurred from deviating from group itinerary (booking a different route or schedule). Optional entertainment suggestions. Meals and sightseeing not specified in the itinerary; optional trip cancellation/travel protection insurance; passport costs. Group members will be contacted closer to departure to see if they would like to arrange similar flights and airport shuttles.

DOCUMENTATION: A valid passport is required of all American citizens. This passport must be valid six months after the departure date. American citizens are required to have a Visa to enter Brazil. Cost of the Visa is about $100 per person and is not included in the tour costs.

COSTS:  Costs are based on rates in effect on August 1, 2008 and are subject to change.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:  Cancellations received prior to September 22, 2008 will receive a full refund.  Cancellations received between September 22, 2008 and November 24, 2008 will be subject to penalties for all non-recoverable costs not to exceed $1,000 per person. Cancellations received after November 24, 2008 will be subject to penalties for all non-recoverable costs not to exceed the full cost of the trip. 

RESPONSIBILITY:  Art Quest International and/or its agents and the Asheville Art Museum act only as the agents of the various companies over the lines of which tickets are routed and this tour operated.  Company and tour organizers assume no responsibility or liability in connection with the services of any aircraft of other conveyance which may be used either wholly or in part in the performance of its duty to the passenger.  The tour operator hereby reserves the right to cancel or alter the tour as she may deem necessary.  No refunds will be made for any part of this tour in which you choose not to participate.