Post by Elizabeth Racheva

Make the pilgrimage. ✨ Transitioning from a marvelous set of Phillips Travel experiences — Phillips Abroad in the South of France and Phillips Encounter in Paris — with a heart full of art, bonhomie, and gratitude, and an abiding sense of awe for the beauty of this country and how its artists see. When we began considering a loan of our cherished Luncheon of the Boating Party to the Musée d’Orsay for their landmark Renoir and Love exhibition, our wheels began turning about how we might make the most of this moment. ✨ Months of planning followed and beautiful and creative work ensued — led by the remarkable Courtney North from A to Z, and in the South, with our extraordinary partners at Benefactor Travel https://lnkd.in/eaVtsdxj. ✨ When we redesigned Phillips Travel two years ago, we did so with the intention to draw strong and strategic connections on our trips between our destinations and our exhibition and acquisition program, as well as our permanent collection. Our Phillips Abroad debut in Barcelona and Mallorca last summer was entirely a dream, full of creative sparks, through and through ✨ Miró, Picasso, Roig, and so much more… ✨ This year’s set of adventures built on those learnings was epic, drawing me — and our colleagues and fellow travelers, I believe, too — closer than ever to the magic and relevance of our permanent collection. I could see the through line of the work; understand the landscapes that offered inspiration, refuge, and delight; comprehend the legacies and histories, that of our founder and his vision, and that of these artists and of patrons in the context of their time. And not only artists long gone, but artists continuing to make in our time — not all of whom we have in the collection, but who open our horizons and help us consider the dynamism of the contemporary art world in meaningful ways. Read on to see the artists and tastemakers whose legacies and practice we explored... ✨ So in the end, is it worth it to dream big, plan long, and organize a pilgrimage like this? Yes. So much yes. ✨ Our travelers could not have been more generous, curious, kind — and intrepid in braving the unprecedented heat! To our trustees and supporters, it’s truly your passion for our mission that makes the museum flourish and experiences like these manifest — thank you for your commitment and joie de vivre! 🙏🏻 An amazing set of colleagues brought these experiences to life in the richest of ways, with pivots on the spot, capitalizing on the moment, and so much grace, knowledge, and good cheer! Courtney North, Jonathan P. Binstock, Clarisse Fava-Piz, Erica Land, and Sarah (Hyde) Gallatin at The Phillips Collection, and Laura, Thomas, Dale, and Athlyn at Benefactor Travel (https://lnkd.in/eMPt2Jnr), and all of our dear colleagues en France: You rock! 🙏🏻 I can't wait for the next journey...https://lnkd.in/eBuDsQqb