Remarkable Lives Speaker Series:
You May Know Their Names, Do You Know Their Stories?
Remarkable Lives is an annual speaker series celebrating the extraordinary stories of Californians who’ve made a lasting impact on their communities and the world. From innovators, risk-takers, and trailblazers to everyday heroes, this series honors individuals whose lives remind us of the power of resilience, purpose, and connection.
Through unforgettable storytelling, Remarkable Lives brings people together to build community and spark dialogue while shining a light on the essential programs and services provided by the Council on Aging—Southern California. Proceeds from the event support our mission to help older adults and family caregivers remain healthy, connected, and protected.
Join Us. Be Inspired.
Upcoming Event:
An Evening with Mark Hilbert and Dee Challis Davy
“The Art of Legacy”
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
6-8 PM
@The Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, Irvine, CA
$150*
*Ticket price includes wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a $90 donation to the Council on Aging – Southern California.
Remarkable Lives: The Art of Legacy
An Evening with Mark Hilbert and Dee Challis Davy
Moderated by Maria-Hall Brown, Executive Producer, PBS SoCal
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | 6-8 PM | The Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, Irvine, CA | Wine & Hors d’oeuvres
Art• Legacy • Inspiration
Explore how Creativity Endures – and the Remarkable Lives Behind It
Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating creativity, storytelling, and the enduring power of art as it shapes how we understand legacy and aging well. Remarkable Lives: The Art of Legacy brings together two of Southern California’s leading cultural visionaries — Mark Hilbert, founder of the Hilbert Museum of California Art, and Dee Challis Davy, Director of the Pageant of the Masters — for a conversation on their lives and incredible careers. Learn how art enabled their paths to cross, enriching their lives and the landscape of Orange County.
Guided by Maria Hall-Brown, Executive Producer at PBS SoCal, this program highlights the role creativity plays in living with purpose, staying connected, and cultivating a meaningful legacy throughout life’s later chapters.
About the Speakers:
- Mark Hilbert
Founder of the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University, Mark Hilbert has spent decades curating one of the most significant collections of California narrative art — celebrating the everyday beauty and human stories of the Golden State. - Dee Challis Davy
As the longtime Director of Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, Dee Challis Davy has brought “living art” to life, blending creativity, collaboration, and performance to inspire millions. - Moderated by Maria Hall-Brown
A respected storyteller and Executive Producer at PBS SoCal, Maria Hall-Brown is known for her engaging interviews and insightful coverage of the arts and human experience.
Millard Sheets, “Pleasures Along the Beach,” 1969-1970, 40-foot-long Murano glass tesserae mosaic. Permanent Collection, Hilbert Museum of California Art, Orange, California. Featured in 2025 Pageant of the Masters “Gold Coast: Treasures of California”
A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors
