$122 includes luxury coach, gratuity, breakfast with champagne en route, admission to the Clark, and cheese and fruit with a selection of fine wines on the return trip.

The bus departs at 8:30am from the back of the former Ames in the Kingston Plaza. We return at approximately 6:30pm.

We’ll have an opportunity to experience the newly-expanded Clark, which opened its doors to rave reviews only 2 weeks ago. This museum, in the rural Northern Berkshires, was always a gem! Now, with its gorgeous addition, and delicate restoration of its existing buildings and grounds, it has become one of the most impressive museums in the country.

They’ve planted over 1000 trees, and added three tiered reflecting pools, reinforcing the relationship between art and the idyllic landscape. There are now separate galleries for Winslow Homer’s seascapes, George Innes’ landscapes and Edgar Degas’ paintings and sculptures. Of course we’ll see one of the most celebrated collections of 19^th century French art in the world, including paintings by Monet, Pisarro, Renoir, Cassatt and many more, in the newly renovated spaces. And a special exhibit features 33 masterworks from a collection of ancient Chinese ritual bronzes on loan from the Shanghai Museum. This trip promises to be a “wow!”. The new architecture alone is worth the trip. Don’t miss it.

To sign up, make your check payable to AAUW (American Association of University Women), include your home and cell phone number and email address, and mail to: Linda Gold, 1 Jacobs Lane, New Paltz, NY 12561. For further info, call Linda at 845-255-5256 or email artladyLG@aol.com. Specify “art tours” in the space for subject. Space is limited, so your early sign-up will ensure a spot.

New York Times review of the Clark reopening