Posted by vrcvanderbilt on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 in Events, HART, Lectures, Student/Alumni, VRC.

The Houston Museum of Fine Arts provided the perfect setting for a recent Commodore Classroom. Leonard Folgarait, Distinguished Professor of History of Art, joined the Houston Vanderbilt Chapter to discuss the work of Edgar Degas and to tour the museum’s exhibit Degas: A New Vision.

Beverly Barrett, BS’97, who keenly recalls taking Folgarait’s Modern Architecture class at Vanderbilt, organized the event with him in mind. “Not only is Professor Folgarait an expert in his field, he is a great communicator and takes a sincere interest in students and alumni. His visit generated enthusiasm for Vanderbilt and great memories for his former students,” she said.

Folgarait’s clever questions kept the audience of 75 alumni and friends engaged throughout his presentation. “We really enjoyed how he connected the paintings to the history of Paris,” Barrett continued. “His knowledge of architectural history and city planning in Paris is very impressive.”

Alumni and friends will also enjoy that insight on French art and architecture during the Vanderbilt Travel Program trip, Paris: City of Light, set for March 4-12. Folgarait has frequently traveled to Paris to teach a Maymester class and knows the city like a native. He will introduce trip participants to hidden gems he has discovered—day trips to Montmartre and Chantilly—as well as enhance their visits to such landmarks as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum.

Houston Vanderbilt Chapter President Jason Pierson, Leonard Folgarait, and Beverly Barrett at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts