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Close-Up Washington D.C. Trip

See how your government works close up.

Video: High School Program

Pictures: Photo Album 

Presentation: Presentation 

CLOSE UP Washington D.C.

Baker Field Trip to our Nation's Capital

March 3 - 8, 2019

Fees and Payment Plan

What is the cost of the trip?  Cost includes:  transportation, food and lodging for 6 days in the nation’s capital. The cost for each student for the program this year is $1902.00 (Student Price)

$2252.00 (Adult Price)

A $400.00 non-refundable deposit is required. Checks Payable to CLOSE UP . We must have at least 6-10 people to commit in order for Baker to participate.

Initial Deposit Due: November 1, 2018

Final Payment Due: January 17, 2019 

*payments can be made on line any time, and payments may decrease with fundraising

About the Close Up Organization

Close Up has been the nation's leading civic education provider since 1971. In that time, we've made it our mission to educate, inspire, and empower individuals to become active citizens in our democracy. Each year, through our Washington, D.C.-based experiential learning programs and our multi-media publications, we help more than 1 million students and teachers in 15,000 schools nationwide develop the skills needed to begin a lifetime of active citizenship.

What sets us apart is our non-partisan approach to providing relevant content to students and teachers, and our unique teaching methodology specifically designed to appeal to mainstream students of all learning abilities.  

We are also committed to making citizenship education accessible to everyone, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic standing, or grade point average. Through annual funding from the U.S. Congress, private foundations, and corporations we provide financial aid to disadvantaged students to help them become better citizens.

(obtained from Close) 

Close-Up Trip to Washington, DC

Each year, for over 50 years, a group of students from the Park has traveled to Washington, DC, for the weeklong Close-Up Trip to Washington, DC.   This trip is more than a field trip - it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in which you will make lasting friendships!!!

As part of the Close-Up Club, you will embark on the trip that includes meetings with Congressional representatives and a behind-the-scenes tour of the U.S. Capitol Building and the Supreme Court.  Students will enjoy sight-seeing at all the major monuments (including the Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, MLK, and War Memorials), tours of the Smithsonian Museums, and a trip to Arlington National Cemetery, among numerous other activities.  

If you are looking for a place to meet new friends, this is the place do it it!  PCEP students will spend a week making memories with students from across the country!  What are you waiting for?  Join us today!

Upcoming Events

The trip is open to all PCEP Students!

Meet New Friends

"Whether you attend Close Up with your school or on your own, you will make lots of new friends as you live, learn, and interact with other students from across the United States and the world. While Washington, DC and Close Up have so much to offer, the highlight of the week for many students is the chance to make new friends and share ideas with students from all walks of life. "

Close-Up Mission

We believe that a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens; therefore we seek to reach participants of every race, creed, geographical community, socio-economic level, and academic standing. Close Up welcomes participation on its programs without regard to gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or disability. To carry out our mission, we partner with educators, schools, and youth organizations throughout the country to help young people develop the skills and attitudes to become informed and engaged citizens. Since 1971, over 850,000 participants have participated in Close Up programs. 

Close-Up Foundation

The Close-Up Trip to Washington, DC is a partnership between PCEP and the Close-Up Foundation. 

Please click on the links below for more details about the Foundation and the trip

Close-Up - Home Page (link)

Close-Up - Brochure (link)

Close-Up - Parent Info (link)

Close-Up - Student Info (link)

Close Up Foundation

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1330 Braddock Pl

Alexandria, VA 22314

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I am incredibly disappointed in Close up and how they handled a situation with my son. My son was very badly injured and is requiring 3 surgeries. He has had 2 already. Due to external rods sticking outside his body, he is unable to fly due to risk of swelling and blood clots. I have a drs note stating that it is too dangerous to fly. I requested a refund based on a medical situation which was mandated by his surgeon. I was told that we missed the deadline for a refund. Really????maybe I should just ask my son to get injured the previous week. No compassion in their business. It is simply not the right thing to do. Very disheartening they are company involved with students dies not have their best interests at heart.

My daughter had a blast and said they got to see EVERYTHING. She did have an issue of another group from somewhere else steal her brand new hoodie, but she didn't say anything so nothing could be done but it still wasn't nice. I really have nothing to complain about just the refund policy is a little rough, it was very nerve racking knowing you will not get a refund if your child doesn't maintain their "C" average or gets sick and can't go.

Well talk about a school field trip, but imagine a school overnight trip! Yeah, other programs do that, but Close Up gives us our flights, our hotel, and even gets us MEAL VOUCHERS (I thought I would have to use my souvenir money on meals). They act as a parent to us. The tours are not just talking and taking notes, it is engaging and interactive, as we get to do a fake Congress as well. Made great friends, saw amazing sights, did interactive activities, and getting to go INSIDE our nation's capitol building, and even seeing the White House! Who else does that? This is a field trip taken to the next level! This is the real way for kids to learn about DC!

Close up Washington DC is not a trustworthy organization. On the website they mention that deposits are fully refundable but then representatives of the organization tell a different story. They have taken advantage of me as a working class single mother and my trust within the organization. Ryen of close up was not very honest with me and now they are refusing to refund $900 of payments made for a trip they canceled. I would never recommend this organization to anyone else and I will continue to go on every social platform available to warn others.

This is an email from Ryen about the cancelation that they made and the airline voucher that was never received.

Close up foundation is a fraud PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU GO I just finished my 5 day experience with close up and let me tell you that is something i would never want to go through again. We would have wake up calls at 7:30 am and be out and about till 10 pm. Multiple times would they put you through hour plus long workshops and debates with very very strict rules. There was multiple times where i was not even allowed to sit on the bus without being told information on top of information. And if i were to ever try to text my mom and talk to her they would come over and yell at me for having my phone out. This so called "Close up" company takes you to nothing special or actually close up. We would stand at free monuments for hours and have to work on worksheets and papers before we could even go see the monument. Not once did I go to something cool or close up that i could have just done on my own free time. We would sit and Analyze the monument from a distance for multiple hours. Not once could I sit down. The food they would prepare for us was not good at all, multiple times I would not eat breakfast or dinner cause the food is unappetizing and tasteless. Because of this I would go try to get food from a little store and i would end up get yelled at and not be able to get food, so on multiple days i would be starving until i could finally find a good meal. Not only would they work us for 15 hours a day but we would also have only an HOUR of free time from 10-11pm, at 11 pm we would have room check and from then on out we can not leave our room. They would set security outside our room and a couple times we would catch them with their ear to our door listening in on our conversations. This company is invading on my privacy and I can not do anything about it. If i were to step a foot outside my room past 11 I would be threatened to be sent home on my own expense. This company is a tyranny and is power hungry in any way possible. I HIGHLY suggest you do NOT go on this trip.

NEW COMPANY NAME - this is all you do on this trip, there is no actual close up things

My daughter went on the middle school trip to DC, and was exhausted, not provided a seafood free meal (even though I write on every document that she could not have seafood) and was made fun of for being Korean by some young boys from another school in her group. The "teachers" didn't stop it, and my daughter left what she thought would be a great trip with an empty stomach one night and very hurt and disgusted feelings. The group did not get to see the capital, the White House, or meet any members of Congress. They spent lots of time at the air and space museum, but that is undergoing renovations and was more than halfway closed. We do not feel like we got our money's worth. Meal vouchers were not adequate for those with allergies, disrespect and racism was allowed, and the real govt wasn't portrayed at all. Instead it was a pretend view of how the history books say our govt should work. Not real at all.

For those of you who also lost your money when Close Up Foundation canceled your trip but refused to refund you, you should file a complaint with the Virginia Office of the Attorney General. It is quick and easy, and they do respond. Here is a link: https://www.oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/index.php/file-a-complaint You can also call their Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-552-9963

Do not give your money to this organization. They took $2,200 per student for 14 students at our high school in California for a trip to Washington D.C. When they had to cancel the trip due to the Coronavirus they would not refund the money, offering only $800 and an airline voucher on United Airlines which most of us will never use. (That expires in a year.) Eventually they offered $150 more, but even with the value of the forced voucher they are just keeping close to $600 for each student of our money. So each family lost $1250 per student.

Do not do business with this company and I really hope our school doesn't do business with this company again. My 8th grader was set to go on the DC trip in June 2020, obviously it was cancelled due to the coronavirus (and no fault of our own) and they refused to refund our $400 deposit. Granted it did say it was non-refundable, but of course most airlines/hotels and other companies are refunding customers non-refundable money due to the pandemic closures, except Close Up. They did refund us $100 of our deposit, but my family is out $300 and right now that's not good. I'm very disappointed with this company and how they handled this situation.

SHAM! This organization is a fraud- period. This organization is everything that all the negative reviews have said about them. They claim they cannot offer refunds because they had to pay staff to schedule, market, and pre pay for the trip. They received $1-2MM (look it up) in PPP money. and hey can't refund the students? Try calling Close Up to speak to a representative.. you will only be able to leave a voice message (I've left several) and good luck emailing them to have someone contact you directly.. it's been several months and no phone call. There are many parents who are angered and disappointed that they have lost their money with this dis-organization. Basically, the trip never happened, we handed them $2500 and they gave us an unusable flight voucher (good for one year), and $400 .. they kept the rest. Many of these families at my daughters school cannot afford to hand over money that Close Up has basically 'stolen' from them.. SHAME on them...CROOKS! I would give them 5 FALLING stars if I could..Beware of signing up for this trip. Would be better to go as a family with friends.

Do not do business with this company. They are refusing to refund the money paid for this year's trip, which was cancelled because of the Corona virus pandemic. It would be somehow understandable if they were keeping a small fee, but it's hundreds of dollars per student. This is highly unethical. It is also unfair to the parents and students that make a great effort to put together the money for the trip.

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Flight School Alexandria

• Hot breakfast buffet
• Choose among our many electives or spend the day with your school:
• Law vs. Civil Disobedience: National Archives, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Ghandi Memorial
• Art of Politics: Smithsonian Museum of American History, National Gallery of Art, Historic U Street and the African American Civil War Memorial
• Unthinkable Acts: Examining History: U.S. Holocaust Museum, Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, Memorial to Japanese Patriotism during WWII
• Honoring Service: Arlington Cemetery, 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon, Department of Labor Hall of Fame
• Lunch on the National Mall
• Student Photojournalism Exhibit: Show what you learned
• Banquet & dance
• Late departure allows for a final look at Washington DC with your teacher
• Options may include: the Smithsonian Museums, the National Zoo, the Holocaust Museum, the Newseum, the Spy Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the National Archives and much more.
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Close-Up 2025 Trip

Close up trip to washington dc. for the presidential inauguration – jan. 2025, for 2024-2025 juniors and seniors.

Close up is much more than a field trip – it’s an unforgettable 7-day study visit to the nation’s capital.   The student’s days will be filled with countless learning opportunities as the program takes you on study visits to Washington’s famous monuments and memorials.  They will get a front row seat to democracy in action in the halls of Congress as well as in meetings with Washington insiders.  Every night has fun activities to reinforce what you learned that day as well as nightly socials where you and your friends have a chance to laugh and get to know each other better. This year also allows students the historic opportunity to attend the inauguration of a president and attend some fun events in DC related to the inauguration. We hope that you, can join us! Spots are filling up fast! We hope to see you there!

This Trip is open to juniors and seniors in the 2024-2025 school year only per Katy ISD .  The trip date is January 16-22, 2025 and this absence does not count against exemptions.  Full Deposits are due by June 3, 2024.  The balance of the trip will be due by September 30, 2024. Mr. Yates is this year’s Close-Up Sponsor. Contact him with any questions.

Sign up for more information with this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vSDVJ4lOTIueQtzFeZZ4c0uy1rkDf9C65DfciTg9ilc/edit

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Close-Up Trip

Tara Williams and Ashleigh Williams March 9, 2015

As we were driving to the Jefferson Memorial, I overheard a boy from an all-boys’ Catholic high school in Miami trying to teach the Texan student next to him some Spanish slang. The Close-Up Washington DC trip was not only about increasing our political efficacy as teenagers, it was also about making new friends and learning about different cultures.

A group of six students from CHS went on the Close-Up trip. The trip included a students from all around the nation, including people from Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and six students from Missouri.

We were the only students from St. Louis in our workshop. Although at first it seemed like the majority of the people in our workshop had similar perspectives on key political issues, we soon realized that our group was usually split down the middle on issues in politics.

What amazed me most about the Close-Up trip was how we would be visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on MLK day, or would be walking in the House Chamber on the same day as President Obama would be giving his State of the Union address.

Not only did we visit iconic monuments, but we also discussed and learned about current political issues that were important to us. Personally, I learned that even as a high school student, I can have a major impact on the policies and laws that affect my daily life.

One of the most important lessons that I took away from the trip was that as teenagers, we can be as politically efficacious as adults. During the trip, we attended many seminars held by famous organizations, including one by Free Press, an international organization working to strengthen democracy through their media reforms.

We also attended a musical, “Shear Madness,” at the Kennedy Center for the Arts, which was unforgettable. On Capitol Hill day, we visited the offices of our senators and representatives, where we had the opportunity to meet Senator Roy Blunt (whom we took a photo with), speak with Senator Claire McCaskill’s staff, and meet Representative Ann Wagner.

We asked Senator McCaskill’s staff many questions about current political issues and the typical day in the life of a Congressional staff member. After meeting with our Senators and Representative, we visited the National Archives, where we saw the original Constitution and Declaration of Independence. We headed home on Friday, feeling tired and stressed about the work that we missed, but ultimately filled with joy and a curiosity for political affairs.

Over the packed five day trip, we visited two Smithsonian Museums and the Vietnam, Korean, Jefferson, FDR and Lincoln Memorials.

Although the main purpose of the Close-Up trip was to increase our impact on politics, the most important thing that I took away from the trip were the friends I made from all different parts of the nation. Learning new Spanish slang from the boys from Miami, and that many of the students from Texas had to recite the Texan Anthem everyday made me open my eyes to how unique America, as a nation, truly is.

• Ashleigh Williams
• Clayton High School
• tara williams
• Washington D.C.

Your donation will support the student journalists of Clayton High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

Tara Williams is a Senior at Clayton High School, and has been on the Globe staff for four years. She is a co-Opinion Section Editor. Tara was born in South Africa, and then moved...

Ashleigh Williams is a senior at Clayton High School. She has been on the Globe since freshman year and is the Review section editor. Ashleigh has moved a total of eight times,...

Your donation shows your belief in the power of student journalism and the importance of nurturing young journalists. With your support, we can continue to provide valuable learning experiences for our students and empower them to explore and report on important stories that shape our world.

Your generosity helps us financially and motivates and encourages our students to strive for excellence in their work. Your investment in our program is an investment in the future of journalism, and we are honored to have you as a partner in this endeavor.

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Since 1971, Close Up has welcomed 1 million students and teachers on our exciting, hands-on programs in Washington, DC! Please complete the form below to get more information and a Close Up Representative will contact you to discuss your trip preferences and answer any questions you may have.

If you would like to speak with us right away, please call us at 800-CLOSE UP or email us at [email protected] today.

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Local students make annual Close Up trip to DC

A lucky group of local students from Starr’s Mill and McIntosh got an in-depth look at how our government operates at the annual Close Up gathering.

Close Up is a week-long experience in Washington, DC, which provides students with an opportunity to better understand their responsibilities as a citizen participating in our democratic process, helping students understand the importance of being actively involved in local, state, national and international issues.

Before students started the actual Close Up program, they visited the National Gallery of Art, the Library of Congress, National American History Museum, the Natural History Museum, the African-American History Museum, and went to the top of the Washington Monument.

On the actual Close Up program, they participated in multiple workshops such as Political Values, Domestic Issues Debate, and Mock Congress, as well as engaged in “on-site” studies of the monuments (Jefferson, FDR, MLK, Lincoln, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Eisenhower), Arlington National Cemetery, the National Archives, outdoor White House study, DC neighborhood studies, and several other Smithsonian Museums. Students also attended a theater event after Capitol Hill Day.

On Capitol Hill Day, students met with the legislative staff from the offices of Senator Raphael Warnock, Senator Jon Ossoff, and Representative Drew Ferguson.

They visited the outside of the Supreme Court and learned about the Supreme Court process and the history of the building. Students also got a tour of the Capitol, including Statue Hall, the old Supreme Court room, and Rotunda. They wrapped up their trip by visiting the Capitol one more time, using Senate Gallery passes provided by Sen. Warnock to visit the Senate chamber of Congress.

Starr’s Mill students met with alumnae Brenna Elliot who works for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and provided a “real world” connection of how a Starr’s Mill student could get involved in government and politics.

Starr’s Mill first made the trek in 2001 and has sent a group of Panthers every year since outside of 2020, with more than 1,500 students attending over the years.

McIntosh High sent a delegation of 39 students and 3 teacher-chaperones. The Chiefs have been participating in the program for more than 20 years.

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Roosevelt High School

Closeup foundation trip to washington d.c. – february 12-17, 2023.

The Roosevelt High School Social Studies Department is planning a student trip to Washington, D.C. for February 12-February 17, 2023. Students would travel with Social Studies teachers to Washington D.C. for the CloseUp Foundation program. The trip is open to students in grades 9-12. The cost for the trip is around $1,800 per student. A $500 deposit is due October 13.  

There will be fundraising opportunities to help students save for the trip. If you are interested in signing up and getting more information, please reach out to Amber Graeber at [email protected]

The best things in Washington, DC with kids

Apr 9, 2024 • 6 min read

From the national narrative to splashing about in fountains, Washington, DC is a great destination for families © Marc Dufresne / Getty Images

America's capital city is a fantastic destination to visit with children in tow. It's filled with kid-friendly museums, has an abundance of parks in which younger visitors can burn off excess energy, and a logical, pedestrian-friendly layout (let's not forget that DC was designed to showcase urban planning at its very best). 

Here are our top tips for exploring the city with children.

Is Washington, DC, good for kids?

As America's first purpose-built city, Washington, DC, is, in many ways, a dream to explore with younger visitors. It's flat with very few hills, and roads and sidewalks are wide, smooth and well-maintained, perfect for parents pushing strollers. 

Almost all of DC's top attractions are refreshingly accessible – every Smithsonian Museum has ramps, for example, and most museums and major landmarks will have family-friendly restrooms. Generally, you'll almost always be able to enter with strollers, although the White House , which has some of the tightest restrictions, is one of the few places where strollers are on the banned list. 

The large number of gardens and parks means there are endless places for kids to burn off excess energy – the National Mall , for example, has over 20,000 trees and numerous dedicated picnic areas with benches and tables. Thirsty kids (and their parents) are also in luck – most businesses, including restaurants, museums and galleries, will happily top up water bottles, and you'll find public water fountains throughout the city, including 47 on the National Mall alone.

A tactical approach to timing can transform your holiday. If you're visiting during August and September (the hottest months of the year), you'll want to avoid spending too much time outside in the late morning and early afternoon. Take advantage of the extended opening times offered by many museums – crowds tend to thin out after 5pm, and the Library of Congress , the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art are just a few of the institutions that run so-called "late nights."

Catching public transport

Public transport in Washington, DC, is also incredibly accessible, and all train stations have ramps, elevators and extra-wide ticket gates designed with strollers and wheelchairs in mind. All Metro trains have priority seating, usually next to the train's doors. Almost all public buses have ramps, although if you're traveling with a stroller, check the size – most buses, including the DC Circulator buses, won't allow strollers more than 48" long and 24" wide. 

Getting around DC is easier than you think –  here's how

Best things to do in Washington, DC, with babies and toddlers

National museum of american history.

At the National Museum of American History , parents can take some time out at the Wegmans Wonderplace in the museum's west wing. This baby and toddler-friendly hangout has a playroom, family restroom and nursing area (complete with nursing pillows).

Rock Creek Park

The beautiful Rock Creek Park north of the city center has 1754 acres to explore and plenty of fantastic picnic spots (including several next to waterfalls). Toddlers will love the park's Discovery Room, filled with hands-on exhibits and children's books about wildlife, and many of the trails – including the Edge of the Woods Trail – have been designed with strollers and wheelchairs in mind.

Best things to do in Washington, DC with children

Us botanic garden.

The US Botanic Garden , which is free to visit, has a dedicated Children's Garden where younger visitors can help staff care for the various plants, along with a scavenger trail lined with rare plants – kids who spot certain species can get a passport book stamped.

A boat tour along the Potomac 

A riverboat tour is a great activity for kids, who can tick off the city's famous landmarks as they float along the Potomac. Capitol River Cruises offers a range of sailings, although their 45-minute scenic sightseeing cruise hits all the highlights. Tickets are priced around $25 for adults and $15 for children between three and 12. Kids under three are free.

Best things to do in Washington, DC with teenagers and tweenagers

Mount vernon.

Let's face it: teenagers and tweenagers are prone to occasional protestations of boredom, but we've got the perfect solution for anyone who starts to moan about being "museumed out." 

For a change of scenery, head across the water to the Mount Vernon estate, the former home of George and Martha Washington. You can explore the main house on guided tours, watch sparks fly in the blacksmith's shop and stop by the estate's working farm (activities here include sheep-shearing lessons and the chance to pet the ridiculously cute Hog Island Sheep). Not only will you learn about the Washington family – you'll also gain insights into the lives of people enslaved on the estate. The estate is 15 miles south of Washington, DC. To get there, take the metro's Yellow Line to Huntington Station before hopping on the Fairfax Connector bus to Mount Vernon.

The International Spy Museum

Wannabe James Bonds will love L'Enfant Plaza's International Spy Museum , which is filled with interactive exhibits, including ones that encourage them to take part in their very own undercover mission. Our only gripe is that this is one of the few museums that isn't admission-free. Entry fees vary according to the time of year, but children's tickets start at around $19, while adults' tickets start at around $29. Children aged under six visit for free.

Paddle across the Tidal Basin

This is a two-mile-long reservoir wedged between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel. Teens and tweens can hire a paddle boat (from $38 per hour) and admire landmarks such as the Jefferson Memorial and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial from the water.

Planning tips

• Don't underestimate how accessible DC's transport network is – the city's bus and metro system is refreshingly easy to navigate.
• If you're visiting a museum or gallery, always ask what kid-friendly programs and events are taking place.
• DC has plenty of places to cool off, including lots of splash parks, such as The Yards Park in the Capitol Riverfront area. There's a large splash pool and brightly lit dancing fountains after dark. Another notable destination is Canal Park Fountains (also in the Capitol Riverfront area), which has numerous fountains and splash pools with stepping-stone crossings.
• Always ask what kid-friendly freebies are available. For example, staff at the US Capitol's visitor center have stashes of police badges to hand out to children.
• Whether it's a museum, gallery or landmark, always book in advance if tickets are required, even if tickets are free – you won't just get guaranteed entry but will also cut queuing times.

Keep planning your trip to Washington, DC:

These experiences  should be on your DC itinerary  And these incredible experiences  won't cost you a thing Get up close with nature and more history on  these day trips Get to know DC like a local in  these top neighborhoods 

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Up Close with Paul Cezanne

Two newly conserved cezanne paintings on view together for the first time in over 50 years.

The Phillips Collection presents   Up Close with Paul Cezanne , unveiling two recently conserved paintings by French post-impressionist Paul Cezanne, Mont Sainte-Victoire (1886–87) and Self-Portrait (c. 1877), made possible by   Bank of America’s Art Conservation Project Grant . A cornerstone in the permanent collection of the first museum of modern art in the country, the conserved works are on view for the first time in over 50 years alongside five works in the museum’s world-renowned Cezanne collection, providing visitors new insights into the artist’s process.  Up Close with Paul Cezanne  is on view April 18–July 14, 2024.

1600 21st St. NW Washington , DC 20009 United States

The phillips collection.

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