As it was at the end of the 19th century, when Chicago led the world in innovative architecture, art, and literature, the “Second City” is vying for first place at the turn of the 21st century. The historic election of her favorite son to the Presidency and the explosion of world-class architecture and robust urban revitalization have catapulted Chicago to the attention of America and the world.

The recent completion of Renzo Piano’s Modern Wing at The Art Institute of Chicago provides the inspiration for The Houston Seminar’s four-day study tour of enduring Chicago icons and the exciting changes that have transformed the cityscape. Participants will enjoy an exclusive tour of the new wing after lunch at a private club founded in 1907 for professionals and supporters of the fine and performing arts, The Cliff Dwellers, which overlooks Millennium Park and The Art Institute. The days will be filled with visits to three private collections of contem-porary art and photography and a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art. An exclusive Architecture River Tour, and our visit to Oak Park which includes a walking tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District with an interior tour of his home and studio, and of his “little jewel box”, Unity Temple, will be led by experts from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Evenings of “razzmatazz and all that jazz” will be devoted to exploring Chicago’s culinary arts, including a dinner at Blackbird, whose chef, Paul Kahane, is a nominee for the James Beard Foun- dation’s 2009 Outstanding Chef Award. For our first night, we have secured reservations at award-winning Spiaggia, Michelle and Barack Obama’s favorite restaurant in Chicago!

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