Aesthetic Adventurer Team

Naomi Edwards (BA in Fine Art, Art History, SUNY, Stony Brook) is a holistic health practitioner and founder of Hillabrant Holistics, guiding individuals toward aligned health through Ayurveda, yoga, and plant medicine. With 16 years of experience in New York, she offers personalized Ayurvedic consultations (studied at New World Ayurverda under Dr. Paul Dugliss), mindful yoga instruction (500 hours RYT Yoga Ayurverda Retreat Center in Coonoor, India under Dr. Sethil Kumar (MD (Acu), Ph.D. (Yoga), and plant-based therapies to restore balance and well-being. Naomi is an aromatherapist certified at the New York Institute of Aromatic Studies (trained with Jade Shutes). Naomiʼs approach integrates ancient wisdom with modern healing, creating transformative experiences that nurture body, mind, and spirit. She also curates wellness experiences within cultural travel, offering participants a deeper connection to local traditions, holistic practices, and the healing power of place.

Jennie Hirsh (Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College) is Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art. With postdoctoral fellowships at Princeton and Columbia universities as well as support from institutions including the Fulbright Commission, the Mrs. Giles Whiting, and the Wolfsonian FIU, her research spans visual culture, critical theory, museum studies, and architecture. For the past two decades, she has led bespoke tours of art and architecture in Italy, France, and the US, and delivers lectures and seminars on art, architecture, film, and design, offering sophisticated yet accessible insights into cultural history, curatorial practice, and place. An interdisciplinary scholar and thinker, Jennie has co-edited Contemporary Art and Classical Myth (Ashgate & Routledge) and Ventriloquism, Performance, and Contemporary Art (Routledge), in addition to collaborating on curatorial projects and authoring dozens of scholarly essays for exhibition catalogues and journals.

Marisa Newman is the owner of a contemporary art gallery, a role she has dedicated herself to for over 20 years. With a passion for curating innovative and thought-provoking art, she has established her gallery as a prominent space for both emerging and established artists. Throughout her career, Marisa has cultivated a deep appreciation for the evolving landscape of contemporary art. In addition to her work in the gallery world, she curates exclusive art and culture travel experiences, offering collectors and enthusiasts immersive journeys into the global art scene. Through these bespoke tours, she connects guests with renowned artists, private collections, and hidden cultural gems, creating unforgettable encounters at the intersection of travel and art. Marisa earned B.A. in English Literature and Art History from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in Art History from Columbia University.