For Slow Art Day 2025, Maria Gontea, a Slow Art Day volunteer, led an independent slow looking session at The Getty Center in Los Angeles, California. A small group of art lovers, including children as young as seven, gathered to pause and engage deeply with four selected works from the collection, set against the museum’s striking hilltop architecture and sweeping views of the city.
- Cabinet on Stand by André-Charles Boulle
- Irises by Vincent van Gogh
- Femme Debout I by Alberto Giacometti
- Boating Party by Gustave Caillebotte
Participants spent ten minutes with each work before gathering to share observations and reflections. From the luminous color and movement of Van Gogh’s Irises to the quiet presence of Giacometti’s standing figure, the session emphasized attentive looking and open conversation rather than expertise.
Maria promoted the event through LinkedIn, inviting her professional community to “rediscover the art of seeing.” In her post, she described Slow Art Day as simple by design: look at four works for ten minutes each, then talk about the experience. No rush, no prior knowledge required. While the group was smaller than anticipated, those who attended found the experience meaningful and energizing.
The Getty Center’s setting amplified the spirit of the day. Its gardens, architecture, and panoramic views created a natural transition from the intensity of Los Angeles life into a more reflective mode of engagement. The event demonstrated how anyone can lead a slow looking session simply by showing up and inviting others to do the same.
We thank Maria Gontea for organizing and hosting this Slow Art Day gathering at The Getty Center. We look forward to seeing what she comes up with for Slow Art Day 2026.
— Ashley, Johanna, Jessica Jane, and Phyl
