MSoP Washington DC Mosaic Trip with Bonnie Fitzgerald

Join the Mosaic Society of Philadelphia for this rare, one time only opportunity: a custom curated, art immersive day designed exclusively for MSOP members and our guests. Join a small, select group for an extraordinary concentration of mosaic and stained glass masterpieces—an itinerary so rich and carefully curated that an equivalent experience would normally require travel to multiple European cathedrals. MSOP has brought that continental scale of visual and spiritual splendor to Washington, DC for one unforgettable day. This incredible price is inclusive of transportation, tours, admissions and both lunch and dinner, a savings of $100 or more if you could purchase individually. Guiding the itinerary is Bonnie Fitzgerald, a longtime MSOP friend, renown mosaicist and Smithsonian-affiliated tour leader whose local knowledge and international experience ensure a thoughtful, well-paced day. (Learn more about Bonnie at www.maverickmosaics.com). The pace is curated to allow close looking, meaningful conversation, and moments of reflection. The limited number of participants will preserve the intimacy and access to make this tour exceptional. Our trip begins with a prompt 6:30 AM departure via private coach from Wynnewood Train Station in Wynnewood, PA. We commence with privileged, behind the scenes access at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Roman Catholic church in North America, where nearly 94,000 square feet of mosaic art unfold across soaring domes, the Great Upper Church, and more than 80 chapels. This private lecture and guided tour have been created exclusively for MSOP and will be led by Geraldine M. Rohling, the Basilica’s archivist for over 30 years. Her archival expertise and intimate knowledge of the Basilica’s mosaics will reveal hidden narratives, technical insights, and the stories that animate these monumental works—details that transform viewing into a deeper, more resonant encounter. After a relaxed, included group lunch at Busboys and Poets, the tour continues to the Washington National Cathedral, the nation’s church and the 6th largest Gothic cathedral in the world, where stained glass and mosaic converge in luminous dialogue. Stand before Hildreth Meière’s centerpiece mosaic “Resurrection” and witness the breathtaking integration of mosaic and stained glass by Rowan and Irene LeCompte—works that use light, color, and pattern to elevate meaning and stir the imagination. Each surface and window becomes a lesson in how art shapes sacred space and national memory. Our touring culminates at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where the Orthodox mosaic tradition transforms interiors into shimmering narratives of faith. Gold backgrounds, stylized figures, and symbolic imagery create a sense of timelessness and quiet transcendence; these mosaics are a living visual language that links contemporary worship to centuries of devotion. Traveling home, we stop for an included group dinner at Silver Diner, a modern American diner with a retro feel, known for fresh, local, and chef-driven comfort food. We will arrive back at Wynnewood Train Station at 9:00 PM. This is not a routine museum visit; it is a concentrated pilgrimage of sight and story—an exclusive, expertly framed experience that brings the scale and depth of sacred art normally only found on European tours to a single, accessible day. Reserve your place now to witness mosaics and stained glass with expert narration, rare access, and the kind of concentrated visual feast that mosaic aficionados, scholars, and lovers of sacred art will remember for years. All purchases are final. No refunds will be provided unless circumstances result in MSOP cancellation of this trip. Please save your confirmation email as it contains important information.