An Evening with Local Art Legends
Mark Hilbert and Dee Challis Davy

The Council on Aging – Southern California presents Remarkable Lives: The Art of Legacy, an intimate and thought-provoking evening exploring the enduring power of art, imagination, and cultural impact. The event takes place on Wednesday, February 4, from 6–8 p.m. at the Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering in Irvine.

The conversation brings together two of California’s most influential arts leaders: Mark Hilbert, founder of the Hilbert Museum of California Art, and Dee Challis Davy, longtime director of the Pageant of the Masters. The evening will be moderated by Maria Hall-Brown of PBS SoCal.

Together, the speakers will explore how art shapes identity, preserves history, and creates lasting legacy across generations.

A Legacy of California Art

For decades, Mark Hilbert has championed California artists whose work reflects everyday life, social history, and shared cultural memory. His vision for the Hilbert Museum was born from a desire to elevate artists who “tell the story of who we are,” a theme frequently echoed in media coverage of his collecting philosophy.

“Art has the power to connect people across time,” Hilbert has said in past interviews. “When you preserve and share these stories, you preserve a piece of our collective identity.”

Hilbert’s work has been widely recognized for expanding access to American and California art, ensuring that works often overlooked are celebrated, studied, and shared with the public.

Behind the Curtain at the Pageant of the Masters

Dee Challis Davy brings more than three decades of creative leadership to the Pageant of the Masters, one of the most iconic and imaginative live art experiences in the world. As reported in recent arts coverage, Challis Davy has described the Pageant’s mission as honoring artists who “invent a new way of seeing” and redefine creative expression.

Her productions have showcased masterpieces from legends such as Michelangelo, Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Kahlo, and Rockwell—selected not only for fame, but for their lasting influence on how art is experienced and understood.

“The Pageant is about more than recreating great works,” Davy has shared. “It’s about storytelling, imagination, and reminding audiences why art matters.”

An Evening of Insight and Inspiration

Moderated by Maria Hall-Brown, the discussion will offer audiences rare behind-the-scenes insights into how cultural institutions shape public imagination and how art becomes a living legacy passed from one generation to the next.

“The Art of Legacy aligns perfectly with our mission,” said Lisa Jenkins, President and CEO of the Council on Aging – Southern California. “As we serve older adults and families across our region, we believe legacy is not only about longevity—it’s about the stories, creativity, and contributions we leave behind.”

Proceeds from the event support the Council on Aging – Southern California and its mission to serve older adults and families throughout the region.