Over the course of four consecutive days at WMA’s 2023 Annual Meeting, headquartered at the Hilton Pasadena, attendees will attend a fantastic lineup of engaging, informative sessions, and can participate in multifaceted learning opportunities including the perennially popular Poster Session, casual Roundtable Discussions, and hands-on Activity Stations.
Before the sessions commence, attendees can begin their time at WMA 2023 with collaborative Pre-Conference Workshops or enjoy going behind-the-scenes during Pre-Conference Tours at the Autry Museum of the American West's Resources Center, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
But every year, major highlights for many attendees are the fun, engaging Evening Events; and this year, attendees will be transported outside, into the sunny city where they will experience the unique history, art, and community found within some of Pasadena’s most iconic cultural institutions.
Here’s a sneak peek of this year’s WMA 2023 Evening Events.
Thursday, October 5, 2023
On opening night, attendees will be warmly welcomed into the Pasadena Museum of History and The Gamble House: two neighboring landmarks representative of the cultural life of Pasadena, past and present.
The event will start with delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks at Pasadena Museum of History. Between sips and bites, you can explore the beauty and diversity of the Arroyo Seco, in a juried exhibition featuring the artwork of California Art Club members and visit the Beaux Arts Fenyes Mansion (1906) to view the Museum’s collection of early California paintings. At your leisure, take a short walk down Orange Grove Boulevard to the Gamble House (1908), the most complete example of the work of Greene & Greene, leading architects in the American Arts & Crafts movement. Linger on spacious terraces as you enjoy beverages and dessert and experience this striking National Historic Landmark at night.
Cost: $70 – includes transportation, appetizers, and drinks
Friday, October 6, 2023
On Friday, attendees will be invited to the Autry Museum of the American West for a cocktail reception. Join WMA and colleagues us for drinks and appetizers on the plaza and visit the Autry’s world-class galleries which offer a unique and immersive experience that combines art, history, and entertainment. Explore the diverse cultures of the American West through art, cultural materials, film memorabilia, paintings, and interactive exhibits.
Cost: $70 – includes transportation, appetizers, and drinks.
Saturday, October 7, 2023
The third evening of WMA 2023 will be spent at the Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena’s treasured art center where contemporary art exhibitions and community-based arts education intersect to nurture joyful, healthy, and equitable communities shaped by imagination, creativity, and diverse voices.
You can take a walk through the Armory’s newest exhibition, Plein Air – a group show that explores shifting ideas of western landscape, painting, and fieldwork. This exhibition challenges the traditional definition of plein air to include contemporary works of painting, video, mapping, multidisciplinary research, and installation, that involve the act of making art outdoors. Afterwards, enjoy delicious food and drinks from the Asian American and Latinx communities of the San Gabriel Valley.
Cost: $70 – includes transportation, appetizers, and drinks
Sunday, October 8, 2023
During the final night of WMA 2023, attendees will find inspiration at the USC Pacific Asia Museum. Designed in the style of a Chinese imperial palace and located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, the Pacific Asia Museum provides thirteen permanent exhibition spaces showcasing the art, history and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands as well as two rotating exhibition spaces with a focus on Asian and Pacific Islander voices and visions.
After exploring the Museum’s galleries, you’ll be welcomed to spend as much time as you’d like in the Zen Garden where you can converse with friends while drinking Japanese tea and reflect with others next to the koi pond or enjoy programming featuring traditional lion dancing and traditional Taiko drumming in the auditorium. Finish off the evening enjoying cuisine and sampling Saki from around Pasadena showcasing food and beverage from all over Asia and the Pacific Islands.
USC Pacific Asia Museum is 3 blocks and a 5-minute walk from the Hilton Pasadena.
Cost: $50 – includes appetizers and drinks from across the museum field – and beyond!
Each of these Evening Events requires pre-registration.
Please register here or click the button below.
We look forward to welcoming you to Pasadena!
Download the WMA 2023 Preliminary Program
