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California

Art Collectors and Their Collections for Women

Program No. 25121RJ
Explore Southern California’s top art museums on a women-only adventure! Enjoy expert-led lectures of collections at the Norton Simon, Getty, Huntington, MOCA and more.

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At a Glance

Indulge in Southern California’s finest art collections on this women-only learning adventure, where we’ll take care of the driving so you can focus on the masterpieces. Explore world-class museums across the Los Angeles area, from the iconic Norton Simon Museum to the J. Paul Getty Museum, with expert-led lectures to enhance your experience. Gain insider insights into visionary collectors and their extraordinary collections. Stroll through the breathtaking Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens and dive into contemporary art at the Museum of Contemporary Art and The Broad. With daily lectures to deepen your understanding of art history, collections management and the curatorial process, you’ll be immersed in the region’s artistic treasures with other women learners who love art as much as you do.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Five museum field trips involve several blocks of walking at a time and standing up to one hour on docent tours. Must be able to easily get on/off bus.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Explore the life and legacy of J. Paul Getty as you delve into his impressive collection of Western art, spanning from the Middle Ages to the present, all within a stunning architectural setting surrounded by tranquil gardens and breathtaking city views.
  • Wander the beautiful grounds of the Huntington Library, with its 207 acres of meticulously curated gardens, and immerse yourself in the captivating history behind Arabella and Henry Huntington’s extraordinary collection.
  • Embark on a docent-led exploration of Norton Simon Museum where you’ll discover remarkable works of art from Europe and Asia, gaining insight into the intricacies of each masterpiece and its cultural significance with other female learners who love art as much as you do.

General Notes

This program is for women travelers only, and all dates will be led by a female Group Leader.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Paul R. Spitzzeri
A California historian and author of numerous works on such topics as railroad development and regulation, overland emigration, and criminal justice, Paul R. Spitzzeri received his bachelor’s and master’s in history from California State University, Fullerton. He is Museum Director of the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum near Los Angeles and an Award of Merit recipient from the American Association for State and Local History for his biography of the Workman and Temple families.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Paul Spitzzeri
Paul R. Spitzzeri View biography
A California historian and author of numerous works on such topics as railroad development and regulation, overland emigration, and criminal justice, Paul R. Spitzzeri received his bachelor’s and master’s in history from California State University, Fullerton. He is Museum Director of the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum near Los Angeles and an Award of Merit recipient from the American Association for State and Local History for his biography of the Workman and Temple families.
Profile Image of Donna Granata
Donna Granata View biography
Donna Granata is the founder and executive director of Focus on the Masters (FOTM), a highly respected nonprofit archive and educational program documenting contemporary artists. An accomplished artist in her own right, Granata is an internationally published portrait photographer. Her photographs have been displayed across the United States. Selected works from her FOTM portrait series are housed in the Smithsonian's Archive of American Artists; in the photographic collection of the George Eastman Museum and other public institutions housing the personal archives of the artists documented.
Profile Image of Simon Kenrick
Simon Kenrick View biography
A 23-year veteran of Road Scholar, Simon was previously a political journalist, neighborhood artist and kindergarten teacher. He teaches art history at San Francisco State University and Osher Lifelong Learning in Berkeley. Widely traveled in the U.S. and Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, he brings to life his personal knowledge of works and sites in his Road Scholar talks, museum and architectural tours—from Classical Greece and Rome to medieval Morocco, Impressionist Paris and the cutting-edge arts of the contemporary city.
Profile Image of Dave McMenamin
Dave McMenamin View biography
Dave McMenamin, a lifelong native of Los Angeles, has a degree in mathematics from Occidental College, and a master's and Ph.D. in economics from UCLA. Dave taught economics at Occidental College for three years while working on his Ph.D. He then joined a company in downtown Los Angeles, holding many varied positions for over 35 years until his retirement in 2016. Dave is a docent and the director of education with Las Angelitas del Pueblo, a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the city's history.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





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