London, and Edinburgh: Capitals of Contemporary Art! May 6–15, 2015

One of the biggest and “most happening cities on earth,” London offers something very special to us in 2015: a custom tour designed by one of our favorite “collaborators,” International Seminar Design, featuring the COLLECT Art Fair in London as well as prominent artists, architects and collections in three of the U.K.s most extraordinary “capitals.”

The old always blends harmoniously with the new in London, famed for its museums and galleries boasting prized collections, both ancient and contemporary. Our focus will be on the contemporary, but in a city that has always set the trends, advises Arthur Frommer, ”Expect to discover a city steeped in history and nobility, but one that’s also inventing the future.”

Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, is “earthy, yet stylish and “casually cosmopolitan.” Draping over seven hills and crowned by Edinburgh Castle, it’s a dramatic and brooding landmark, with bucolic gardens running through the city center. The New Town is dominated by sweeping Georgian terraces, next to contemporary architectural masterpieces like the Scottish Parliament Building. A quiet evening’s walk in Old Town’s labyrinthine alleyways, along the Royal Mile and the canal are magical offerings of this grand city that cannot be missed.

Glasgow, which in Gaelic means “dear, green place,” is beautifully positioned on the banks of the River Clyde and ranked by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s top 10 tourist cities. Touted by the NY Times as a vibrant, “reinvented industrial center renowned for its architecture and design,” Glasgow enjoys a year-round buzz with a live music and arts scene that regularly produces cutting-edge productions and attracts high-profile exhibitions. “Ultimately, it’s the openhearted, hospitable and occasionally irreverent people who live here that create such a welcoming city,” concludes the Times.

Photos – Left: Imagines, Center: Garcia, Right: Otzberg

The Story of California. The Story of Yo u. Art GuildOakland Museum TRof CaliforniaAVEL London, Glasgow and Edinburgh May 6–15, 2015

London Photo: Lies

London highlights Photo: Lies

• An exclusive preview of COLLECT, The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects at the renowned Saatchi Gallery, Europe’s equivalent of SOFA, Chicago. Enjoying this pre-opening viewing is sure to be appreciated by all lovers of contemporary craft.

• A private tour of Savage Beauty, the retrospective exhibition of haute couture clothing by British fashion designer, Alexander McQueen, that brought record attendance to New York’s MET! We’ll see it at the Victoria and Albert Museum where, later, the Director of Education will join us for a tour of 20th century craft. We’ll enjoy lunch and time for independent exploration at the V&A.

• The Zabludowicz Collection, housed in a unique gallery space, hosts contemporary artists from around the world; it is considered one of London’s hidden gems among collections of work by emerging artists from 1970 to the present.

• A visit to the Lisson Gallery which, since 1967, has represented British artists such as John Baldessari, Donald Judd and Anish Kapoor. We’ll meet Shinazeh Houshiary whose work Art News describes as “mystical and metaphysical;” her work is in New York’s MOMA collection.

We’ll depart London, at the close of a full day, for a short flight to Glasgow and our first look at the glorious Scottish countryside!

Glasgow highlights

• A full day devoted to the work of Scotland’s pride, architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and led by local art experts! We’ll begin with a private visit to Mackintosh’s famous Hill House with its formal gardens and panoramic views of the River Clyde and interiors that allude to Arts and Glasgow Photo: Robert Orr Crafts and Scottish – all designed by Mackintosh. On our return to Glasgow, we’ll share a light lunch at Mackintosh’s historic Willow Tea Rooms followed by traditional Cream Tea. Our day ends with a city tour of several of Mackintosh’s works including the of Art, and his House for an Art Lover.

• In the Dumfriesshire countryside, a visit to an Andy Goldsworthy sculpture garden to see the Byre at Striding Arches, an old cow shed with one of his red sandstone arches emerging from a wall! We’ll stop in Mackintosh’s Hill House Photo: Tamara Penpont, Goldsworthy’s home town, to see one of his important public sculptures followed by a Scottish country lunch.

• One shouldn’t visit Scotland without a chance to sip a selection of over 400 varieties of malt whiskies with “recipes” dating back to the 1800’s; of course, we will not ignore this “noble” endeavor!

• A meeting with the Curator of Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art for a Andy Goldsworthy Byre at Striding Arches Photo: Bolam private tour of the current exhibition. “GoMA” is a small gallery dedicated to showcasing the work of exceptional emerging fine and conceptual artists.

• Zahar Hadid’s Riverside Museum houses a collection of objects reflecting the history of transportation which we can explore after lunch; the main focus of our visit, however, is to experience this new avant-garde architecture which has been deemed “Glasgow’s Guggenheim!”

• A visit to the Modern Institute, a leading contemporary art gallery originally dedicated to showcasing Scottish talent; now, it hosts major international exhibitions. Zahar Hadid’s Riverside Museum Photo: Hufton+Crow

Edinburgh highlights

Last, but surely not least, we’re off to Edinburgh to experience an alternative look at the richness of Scotland.

• Upon our arrival, the noteworthy Ingleby Gallery will host a reception in our honor; we’ll meet with the director and hear about the premier artists that Ingleby represents.

• We’ll enjoy a morning walking tour through Edinburgh’s historic Georgian streets with a local guide.

• Opening just for us, Jupiter Artland (above) is best described as a garden of discovery “of artworks that are landmarks, whimsical events and/or confrontations.” This is so much more than an ordinary sculpture park; the monumental, site specific works by luminaries including Andy Goldsworthy, Anthony Gormley and Anish Kapoor virtually inhabit the Scottish countryside! Little Sparta We are invited to “come and discover, contemplate and delight.” Photo: Ergonomik

• At the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, we’ll be met by the curator for a tour of the current exhibition.

• Little Sparta has been heralded as Ian Hamilton Finlay’s greatest work of art. With a focus on ideas, the garden represents the artistic fusion of poetic and sculptural elements in stone, wood and metal with the natural landscape, altering and shaping it to reflect the artist’s conceptual intent. The result is unforgettable!

• The founding weavers of Dovecot Tapestry came from William Morris’ Workshops in Wimbledon in 1912; since then, they have influenced tapestry throughout the 20th Century and worked with renowned artists such as David Hockney. We’ll meet the weaving team and see them at work creating tapestries for private and public collectors.

Though it is too early to confirm private visits with artists and collectors, the list of wonderful options is long so we eagerly await those final additions to our rich itinerary!

Space is limited so please reserve promptly and don’t be disappointed. Jupiter Artland Photo: Mark Longair London, Glasgow and Edinburgh / May 6–15, 2015

Trip Cost: Land Only $5965 per person (double occupancy) Single supplement: $1395 Trip cost is based upon a minimum of 20 participants and upon British pound/US dollar exchange rate as of 8/2014. If there is a significant change in the exchange rate at the time that final payment is due, cost is subject to change. Deposit: $1000 per person Balance due on or before January 5, 2015

Travelers must be both current members of OMCA at the Supporter level ($175) or above and of the Art Guild ($20) at the time of registration and at the time of travel. To join or to upgrade your memberships when signing up for this trip, please contact: OMCA Membership Dept: 510-318-8520 or [email protected].

Trip includes: 3 nights at the four-star Kingsley Hotel by Thistle in London, 3 nights at the four-star Hotel Indigo in Glasgow, 3 nights at the four-star Tigerlily Hotel, in Edinburgh; 9 breakfasts; 7 lunches; 1 whiskey tasting, English Cream Tea, 1 reception and 3 dinners; entrance fees and private tours as noted; visits to artists’ studios and private collections (pending hosts’ schedules); land transportation by private motor coach including group transfer from London Heathrow Terminal 5 (LHR) to Kingsley Hotel and group transfer from Tigerlily Hotel to Edinburgh Airport; economy class domestic airfare from London Heathrow (LHR) to Glasgow Airport (GLA) on May 11, 2105; gratuities to hotel porters (1 bag per person), local guides and motor coach drivers throughout program; pre-departure packet; audio headsets and services of ISDI Tour Director, Elizabeth Deans, throughhout.

Airfare Airfare: Round trip airfare from the US is not included. Please do not purchase airline tickets until you have confirmation of full registration from the trip leaders. Scheduling information will be provided at that time.

Cancellation Policy: For cancellation prior to January 5, 2015, all monies will be refunded less a $500 cancellation fee plus any necessary surcharges. After January 5, 2015, no refunds will be made; cancellations must be in writing. No refunds will be made for any unused portion of the trip.

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

Please note: While every effort will be made to carry out the trip as planned, the itinerary is subject to pending confirmations by our hosts and changes deemed necessary by and/or beyond the control of OMCA Art Guild and/or International Seminar Design, Inc. (ISDI). OMCA/AG and ISDI reserve the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason including insufficient number of participants and/or to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the trip at any time. CST # 202-4420-40

This trip is physically active and includes considerable walking and standing; participants must be able to keep pace with the group and to climb stairs without handrails or assistance. Participants must be able to keep up with the pace of the group.

For further information, please contact trip leaders: Judy Wood (925-254-7047) or Evans Wyro (925-254-5295)

The purpose of the Art Guild is to support the Oakland Museum of California through acquisitions and financial grants for education and exhibitions. " London, Glasgow and Edinburgh / May 6–15, 2015

To reserve your space, return this form with a deposit check in the amount of $1000 (per person) made payable to the Oakland Museum of CA Art Guild (OMCA/AG). Space is limited, so please reserve early. Reservations are taken in the order received. Mail to: Judy Wood, 15 El Patio, Orinda, CA 94563

Please print clearly

Name(s) ______Phone ______

Address ______City ______State ____ Zip Code ______

Email ______Cell Phone ______

q I will be sharing a room with ______q Single Supplement ($1395) q I would prefer a roommate, but if one cannot be found, I am willing to pay the single supplement.

Travelers must be both members of OMCA at the Supporter level ($175) or above and of the Art Guild ($20). For answers about your OMCA and Art Guild memberships, contact the OMCA Membership Dept: 510-318-8520 or [email protected]. The Oakland Museum of California and International Seminar Design disclaim all responsibility of any nature for damage or injury to property or persons occurring during this trip. Your reservation constitutes acceptance of these conditions.

______Signature of Traveler