MIAMI BEACH, FL (JANUARY 24, 2008)—It was SRO when Lin Arison, author, art visionary, and one of Miami’s icons, discussed her new book Travels with Van Gogh and the Impressionists at The Wolfsonian-FIU in Miami Beach. Arison, who was a Wolfsonian founding trustee, returned to the museum to tell about a life-changing trip she took through France with her granddaughter Sarah, after her husband Ted died in 1990.

Though Lin was still in mourning, and Sarah was not that excited about art, they were surprised by discovering renewed joy in the work of the Impressionists. Lin collaborated on the book with photographer Neil Folberg, blending memoire, travelogue, art history, and biography. It resulted in producing an amazing and poignant book, filled with interesting new facts about the artists, insights into the lives of Lin and Sarah, and contemporary photographs aimed to provide insight into the world of the Impressionists.

Sarah, Lin’s charming 23-year-old granddaughter, spoke about how the trip opened her eyes to the importance and beauty of art. On a path to being a doctor, she decided to change careers and enter the art world. Today Sarah is president of the Arison Arts Foundation, a group that helps cultivate young artists. Neil showed pictures he took for the book and explained the process and challenge involved in capturing the artists’ style and life and presenting them in a more contemporary setting.

After the presentation, guests convened to the museum’s Dynamo Museum shop and Café for a cocktail reception and book signing. Among those guests who attended were Mitchell Wolfson, Jr., founder of the Wolfsonian-FIU; Cathy Leff, director of the Wolfsonian-FIU; new Wolfsonian Board member Pat and husband Milton Wallace; Lily Zanardi; Sue Miller; Diane Camber; Lina Blumberg; Rosy Cancela; Joan Previn Smith; Elizabeth Beach; Robert, Lynette and Brian Antoni; Juan and Carmencita Lopez; Mayra Lehr; Wolfsonian Board members Finlay Matheson, Charles Cowles, Gonzalo Acevedo, and Iran Issa Khan, among others.

About The Wolfsonian–Florida International University
The Wolfsonian–FIU is a museum and research center that uses objects to illustrate the persuasive power of art and design to explore what it means to be modern, and to tell the story of social, political, and technological changes that have transformed the world. The approximately 120,000 artifacts that comprise The Wolfsonian collection range from fine art, graphic design, and political propaganda to furniture, rare books, and ephemeral materials such as postcards and travel brochures. Since opening to the public just ten years ago, The Wolfsonian has developed and disseminated critically acclaimed exhibitions, publications, and educational programs that highlight the impact of design in shaping the modern world. Its vast patrimony of primary source materials provides unparalleled opportunities for scholarship and appreciation, making it a unique resource for local, national, and international audiences.

The Wolfsonian is located at 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Fla. Admission is $7 adults; $5 seniors, students, and children six-12; free for Wolfsonian members, State University System of Florida staff and students with ID, children under six, and Miami Beach residents with ID. The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from noon-6pm; Thursday and Friday from noon-9pm; and is closed on Wednesday. Contact us at 305.531.1001 or visit us online at www.wolfsonian.org.

The Wolfsonian receives ongoing support from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council; Crispin Porter + Bogusky; Continental Airlines, the preferred airline of The Wolfsonian; the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation; and Karla Conceptual Event Experiences.

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