The Dayton Art Institute’s visual arts theatre series, the Fifth Third Bank Arts Night Out series, continues on Thursday, November 21, with the real-life adventures of Robert Wittman – Art Detective!.
Robert Wittman spent more than 20 years in the FBI as the agency’s — and the nation’s — top art crime investigator, going undercover numerous times to recover $225 million worth of stolen art, ranging from $35 million Rembrandts to an original copy of the Bill of Rights. The London Times called him “the most famous art detective in the world” and The Wall Street Journal called him “a living legend.”
Known as the FBI’s Real Indiana Jones, Wittman is the author of The New York Times best seller Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures.
Wittman joined the FBI as a Special Agent in 1988 and was assigned to the Philadelphia Field Division. As a result of specialized training in art, antiques, jewelry and gem identification, he served as the FBI’s investigative expert in this field. During his 20-year career with the FBI, he recovered more that $225 million worth of stolen art and cultural property resulting in the prosecution and conviction of numerous individuals. In 2005, he was instrumental in the creation of the FBI’s rapid deployment Art Crime Team. He was named as the Act’s Senior Investigator and instructed the team members in how to conduct cultural property investigations. He has represented the United States around the world conducting investigations and instructing international police and museums in recovery and security techniques.
Wittman gives informational presentations for museums, collector groups, businesses and government agencies. He also gives informational sessions for collectors concerning due diligence, provenance research and fraud protection.
Robert Wittman – Art Detective! Takes place in The Dayton Art Institute’s NCR Renaissance Auditorium on Thursday, November 21, at 8 p.m. His 90-minute presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session and a book signing.
The Dayton Art Institute’s Leo Bistro will be open for dinner on November 21, 4:30-8:00 p.m., offering a special menu for the show. Advance reservations are recommended, by calling 937-512-0146. Go to http://www.leobistro.com for more information about the menu.
Tickets for Robert Wittman – Art Detective! are $30 for adults and $26 for seniors. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by phone, at 937-223-4ART (4278), in person at The Dayton Art Institute’s Guest Services Desk during regular museum hours, or online at http://www.daytonartinstitute.org/artsnightout.
The Fifth Third Bank Arts Night Out series began in the fall of 2012 as a theatrical series where visual art and the stage meet for three one-night-only performances. All performances are held on Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. in the museum’s NCR Renaissance Auditorium. The 2013 series concludes with Spontaneous Fantasia on December 5.
For more information about this and other programs at The Dayton Art Institute, please visithttp://www.daytonartinstitute.org or call the museum at 937-223-4ART (4278). Be sure to also connect with The Dayton Art Institute on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive offers.
