In March 2011, the Friends organized an exclusive tour to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for members to experience the rich art, architecture and antiquities of the Middle East.  The five-day tours corresponded with two of the region’s most exciting and highly acclaimed art events:

 

• Art Dubai, the largest and most established contemporary art fair in the Middle East, featuring 82 galleries from 34 countries and an extensive programme of events, talks and tours; and
• Sharjah Biennial, one of the most celebrated cultural events in the region.  Since its inception, it has formed a cultural bridge between artists, art institutions and organisations worldwide.

 

The trip featured visits to renowned art collections and tours of some of the region’s leading museums and art institutions, in addition to exclusive programmes arranged through Art Dubai and the Sharjah Biennial.

 

 

In 2010, members travelled to Stabiae, Italy to visit ancient Roman archaeological sites under the guidance of Professor Thomas Howe.

 

In addition, we facilitated a summer visit to the Shanghai World Exposition, as well as visits to local areas of interest, including in Guangzhou, Macau, Foshan, Panyu, Shunde and Shenzhen.