The Colors of Clay: Special Techniques in Athenian Vases opens today at the Getty Villa, a rare showing of 2,000-year-old pieces from the Getty's collection, the British Museum, the Louvre and other museums. It's the first major loan exhibition at the villa since renovations were completed. That brought director Michael Brand and the curators out to Pacific Palisades Wednesday to greet reviewers and invited media. Free tickets are required to visit the villa, and it has been reported that parking is booked through July. But the Getty advises checking for availability again as things change. The vases will be on exhibit through Sept. 4.

Photo: Getty museum