Boston Museum of Fine Arts trip set for Wednesday June 20

We have had a tremendous response to our first excursion trip last September. Requests for another trip have encouraged us to plan another--this time to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. “Dance at ” by Pierre Auguste Renoir! This lively painting with springtime colors—the young girl in chapeau rouge and the bearded man in chapeau jaune--make you feel like dancing. Joining this iconic Renoir, are two monumental paintings on loan from the Musée d'Orsay, Paris—full length canvasses of Renoir's “” and “Dance in the Country.” The artist’s colorful Impressionist style captures the fashion and pastimes of his contemporaries. This trio of paintings in Gallery 225 will be together for the first time in a generation and just in time for our arrival.

The showpiece of the MFA is its brand new Art of the Americas Wing. The architecture alone is worth a visit. It doubles the number of objects from the collection on view, including several large-scale masterpieces not displayed for decades. The new wing takes a global perspective on Art of the Americas, showcasing more than 5,000 works of art produced in North, Central, and South America over the course of three millennia. The wing's four levels has 53 brand-new galleries including nine beautiful period rooms and four Behind the Scenes galleries to enhance the way visitors experience and interact with the collection.

The website, www.mfa.org, offers a glimpse into everything that is offered and location. It would be a good aid in pre-planning the exhibits you would like to see.

We will break into small groups and take a self-guided tour. Lunch is on our own at the New American Café or The Garden from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. within the museum.

The total cost of $60 per person includes museum admission and bus and driver gratuity. The museum tour, although self-guided, will have a lot of walking and you can proceed at your own pace and interest.

This trip is limited to 45 senior college members who have paid membership for the academic year September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012. We expect a good response. Early reservation is advised.

Our coach will depart from USM LAC’s back parking lot at 7:30 a.m. Lunch on our own within the museum’s two dining areas. Hours are 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. New American Café and The Garden Cafeteria (The group is advised to stagger our lunch times) The coach will depart from the Museum at 5 p.m. and will return to LAC at approximately 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Bring a small cooler or lunch bag for a snack/beverage on the way home.

Please note there will be no refunds for cancellations after May 16.

Registration is by mail only (Checks payable to USM Senior College) by Wednesday, May 16

USM Senior College at LAC 51 Westminster Street Lewiston, ME 04240

Please call Rachel Morin at 783-2956 if any questions. Leave a message. Calls will be returned.