A room in the Wrightsman Galleries at the Met, i have spend many, many hours here they are beyond perfection. The subject of the June 6th program. Photo from Pinterest credit unknown

Spring always brings one of Chicago’s most anticipated events the Alliance Francaise de Chicago’s Symposium on the Arts of France. I was fortunate to attend the first in the series of three last week. The lecture was bittersweet, it was to be presented by the incredible, Jean Goldman, who recently passed away. Jean had long been a major supporter of the Alliance in so very many, many ways and her knowledge was unparalleled, her presentations were always perfection, you learned something new each time…her expertise, humor and joie de vivre keep you riveted to her every word.  I was honored to call her friend…we had many long lunches, four hours was not unheard of, at the charming Ikram Cafe, chatting about anything and everything. Fortunately, for the attendees of the symposium she had prepared her illustrated lecture and it was delivered, perfectly, I might add, by Lisa Wainwright, currently Dean of Faculty and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The title was ”Stately Mansions and the not quite so Stately Life Therein: A Peek Behind the Closed Doors: Pomp, Intrigue and Les Liaisons Dangereuses”.  After the superb presentation, we had a delicious lunch from Jewell Events Catering, one would expect nothing less from the renowned caterer admired the always glorious blooms from Green.  A perfect afternoon, the one element missing, Jean Goldman, but everyone felt her smiling at us.

You have a chance to attend the next two presentations by registering for the 11:30 presentations, which are in English, (the individual lecture tickets are $45.00, The Patron luncheons are sold-out well in advance), by visiting Alliance Francaise de Chicago

Be sure to be put on the list for the 2019 Symposium. While you are at it request to be put on the Alliance’s mailing and email list for programs, classes and all manner of year-round celebrations. It is worthwhile exploring all they have to offer.  It is a wonderful organization.