Media Contact: 
Charmaine Nelson (626) 344-4325
Email: Charmainen@pasadenaseniorcenter.org

‘WONDERFUL CURIOSITIES: EXPLORING HOUSE MUSEUMS’ FEATURED IN FALL MASTERS SERIES AT PASADENA SENIOR CENTER

Art historian Katherine E. Zoraster will offer an exploration of the wonderful world of unique house museums in this fall’s three-part Masters Series, ‘Wonderful Curiosities: Exploring House Museums’ beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 9 and running consecutive Tuesdays through Dec. 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. onsite at the Pasadena Senior Center.

To attend all three lectures, tuition is only $45 for members and $54 for non-members. The lectures are presented in-person only at the Pasadena Senior Center and this series will not be offered over Zoom. Register at pasadenaseniorcenter.org, then go to Lectures & Classes, then Masters Series, or call (626) 795-4332.

Art enthusiasts and explorers, wealthy socialites and eccentric recluses are just some of the interesting personalities that amassed collections of art and objects that are open to the public in their original homes. These museums often display original furnishings, fine art and belongings to create an immersive experience, using the house itself as the primary "artifact." They are a form of history museum, with a key difference being that the focus is on the domestic setting and the lives once lived within its walls. 

Art historian Katherine Zoraster will highlight some of these unusual and often eccentric collections during the three-part series, including:

• December 2: Spotlighting the United States, including The Frick Art & Historical Center in Pittsburgh, the Shelburne Museum in Vermont and the Weisman Art Foundation
• December 9: Exploring England, including Sir John Soane Museum, the Wallace Collection and Kenwood House 
• December 16: Focusing on Paris, including the Musee Cognacq-Jay, Musee Marmottan Monet, and Musee de la Vie Romantique

Katherine E. Zoraster is an Art Historian and a Professor of Art History at several local colleges, specializing in Western art from the Renaissance to the 20^th century. She graduated with a double major in English Literature and Art History from UCLA, and received her master’s in art history from CSUN. She is a member of the Art Muse team, giving private museum tours and teaching classes. In the past few years, Katherine has presented papers at The Representational Art Conference and at the College Arts Association on various topics. Katherine also serves as a commissioner for the Burbank Cultural Arts Commission.

For 65 years, Pasadena Senior Center’s mission has been to improve the lives of older adults through caring service with opportunities for social interaction, fitness programs, basic support and needs services, education, volunteerism and community activism. With 10,000 Americans per day becoming older adults, the center is a leader in addressing issues of aging and provides innovative, cutting-edge, nationally recognized programs for this population group.

As a donor-supported nonprofit, the center operates without any local, state or federal funding and provides more services to older adults than any other organization in the San Gabriel Valley. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. To learn more visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call 626-795-4331.