A World of Art: The Barnes Foundation, Murals & More

This was a fantastic trip to a beautiful, interesting city that I had not yet visited. The trip leader, Tish Byrne, was excellent; very knowledgable about this city, its history, architecture, cultural resources, and most especially its fantastic art museums, studios, sculpture gardens, and mural art. Her enthusiasm and her own personal knowledge of art; her attentiveness to group needs and learning; all were wonderful and fun! The group size was good and participants were very enjoyable as travel companions. I stayed some days before the trip began. Lauren Kain, local Road Scholar liaison for programs in Philadelphia, provided assistance with arranging the hotel stay and gave me great resource information to explore the city on my own before our trip began. We also had some blocks of time during this trip for independent or smaller group time in the city which added to the overall richness of this trip.

This was an extremely enjoyable experience due in the most part to our wonderful Group Leader Tish Byrne.

Program was well organized, expertly executed by one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had - Tish Byrne. She was tirelessly enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and personable. The description of the program was accurate, the accommodations very good, and as always the other participants were like-minded and physically appropriate to the program. I’d highly recommend this program.

What a great way to experience Philadelphia! Not being an artist, I was delighted at how much I learned and enjoyed about the city! The tour guide (Tish) was fantastic, and every place on our tour was an enjoyable experience. So was the food and the accommodations! I highly recommend this tour!

This was my first Road Scholar trip. The leader was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The trip was remarkably well organized and a great value for the money, even with the single supplement. The buses were new, clean and comfortable and the hotel was perfectly located for seeing many parts of the city. Road Scholar saved me many hours of research by sending a suggested reading list and sightseeing list for independent exploration. I will certainly choose more Road Scholar trips in the future.

If you love all forms of art and enjoy cities, this is the program for you. Just enough of both to leave you in a good positive frame of mind and wishing to return.

Fabulous trip. My first Road Scholar trip and I sincerely hope not my last. Very impressive.

My experience of Art, Murals and more in Philadelphia was a most wonderful tour! The tour director, Tish Byrne, was fabulous! She was with us all day long, ensured all transportation to be on time, planned every detail of where to go and when, found great places to eat meals, connected with each person on the trip in a genuinely personable way, kept us engaged and informed as we drove through the city while going to the museums or mural tour, and so much more. The most memorable part of our trip was the way Tish shared information in such a positive, caring and generous way. I’m sure she touched every person’s life for the better. I’m very thankful I could fulfill a lifelong dream of touring Brandywine River Museum of Art, and experience other fascinating art museums, as well as learn what a special city Philadelphia is. Thank you, Road Scholar, for giving me a most memorable experience I’ll always remember with joy!

Wonderful small group of friendly and interesting participants. Instructors and museums were first rate and varied. Highly recommend.

This Philadelphia Art adventure totally exceeded my expectations. Great variety of sites and educational experiences. All guides were well informed, warm and friendly. Highly recommend this trip!

So many paintings - so little time. A beautiful trip for art and history lovers. Dorothy Sullivan

The Philadelphia art program was interesting, informative, and fun. We had excellent docents and Road Scholar guides.

Wonderful trip. So much to see you would benefit from staying an extra day or two. The Barnes and Phillie Art Museum are worthy of a full day visit

The Philadelphia Art History program is one of the best Road Scholar programs in which I have participated. Exceptional museums with academically qualified presenters were the daily experience for this program. Our group leader, Tish Byrne, did an excellent job coordinating our group, as well as keeping us continually informed. Finally, the accommodations were excellent and the meal experiences also good. If you have an interest in art history, you must include this program in your agenda.

Terrific program with a wide variety of art styles, experiences and venues. Memorable and enjoyable

downtown philadelphia as gotten better since the time I was an undergraduate at the university of Pennsylvania. The murals really add to the overall experience. Both the Barnes and the Barnes arboretum were experiences that have to be seen to be fully appreciated ( the arboretum is small but the asst director who gave us the tour was very enthusiastic and had great stories about the place)!

I highly recommend this art tour! My husband and I loved all the places we visited, and we had interesting guides at most of them. We befriended a couple of different people who had come alone, and we had a great time chatting and laughing and relaxing. Someday I'd actually like to do this tour again!

If you ever have a chance to take a program led by Trish Byrne, SIGN UP

This was a wonderful week of exposure to the world of art and architecture that Philadelphia has to offer: the Rodin Museum, PMA, murals and the mural art of Isaiah Zager, the Barnes Foundation, the Masonic Lodge, Macy's with the world's largest playing organ and a huge eagle sculpture, the Comcast building with its continuous entertaining slide shows - and side trips to the Brandywine Museum in Chadd's Ford, and the Grounds of Sculpture in Trenton, NJ. Our guide Tish Byrne was superlative - the most knowledgeable guide I've had on RS trips - and our group meals were excellent. A special treat was lunch at the enormous food court in the Reading Railroad Terminal Building with way too many food selections to choose from (you have to see it to believe it!). One rainy day downtown was a bit too strenuous for some of us (almost 5 miles of walking, standing, and climbing stairs), but that was the exception. Future trips will probably correct this day's itinerary and require only moderate activity.

This program offers insight into the wonderful world of art in Philadelphia. It gives a unique perspective on the city itself.

I really enjoyed my "A World of Art" Philadelphia trip. The program was well structured between tiering but wonderful museum visits and other rewarding activities such as seeing the murals and the two relaxing bus trips to the Brandywine River Museum and the Grounds for Sculpture. Tish Byrne was an excellent guide as she was very knowledgeable not only about art but especially about her city Philadelphia. She coped expertly and calmly with the non appearance of the guide to the PAFA by securing instead a tour of the nearby Masonic Temple. It is among the most beautiful in the world. On my three previous trips I always had a Group Leader and an Instructor who worked together. On this trip however Tish had to fulfill both roles as Elizabeth Anderson (Instructor) only appeared once to guide us through the PMA. Thus Tish had to fulfill both roles. She lead our group of 23 often on foot while pointing out special murals or landmarks. I was concerned that on several occasions some senior Road Scholars had trouble keeping up with our group and were lagging behind. This trip is not only a marvelous feast for the eyes but also offers many gastronomic delights. Philly is a town for Foodies as proven by our visit and lunch at Reading Terminal Market and the two very good restaurants chosen by Road Scholars for our dinners. Bon appetit!

This is a must do trip for all art lovers. The Barnes Foundation collection has been on my bucket list for many years, and it did not disappoint in its new home near the Rodin Museum. Not only did we get a docent led tour of collection highlights, but there is a classroom with books on various aspects of the Barnes along with a staff educator giving short ppts on Mr. Barnes and Picasso and two pieces of his in the collection. I felt like I was getting private art history and interpretation seminars. Well done! All the docent led tours were led by very knowledgeable persons at each of our art destinations, from the outdoor Grounds for Sculptor to the MFA. Seeing the many sculptures and the murals throughout the city was fabulous, and group leader Tish Bryne knew just where to direct the bus drivers we had, pointing out murals and architectural features each time we were on the vehicles.

This program is overflowing with art, art history, hidden Philly art and other surprises!! One of the best art history programs I've attended with Road Scholar. I give it a 10, you can dance to it(American Bandstand, Philly).

A wonderful program for both artists and art appreciators. Tish Byrnes is an excellent organized leader with extensive background in the arts. Her enthusiasm for art and architecture is infectious. She seizes every opportunity to share her wonderful city for those anxious to learn. Free time provides opportunity to visit historical locations.

Fabulous trip.

If you are “Wowed” by original art of master artists, archaeological treasures and the preservation of public spaces with art and architecture, this program is for you. You are immersed from Day 1 until you leave.

Didn't realize that Philadelphia had such a great variety of art. All was interesting, and our guide was well versed in the artists.

This guide was amazing. Knew the city, was an artist herself and very active in Philadelphia’s art scene!!

This trip is a scrumptious art feast and also a good introduction to the lovely city of Philadelphia.

Our guide and our instructors had been in the forefront of the art community in Philadelphia, and this made the tour amazing. When you chose a trip based on your interest, it pays off: like minds enjoying and seeing what they love. Thank you!

I think that people with only limited knowledge of art, such as myself, can benefit from this adventure. It was so enlightening and stirred the imagination.