🎨🏛️Celebrating Art, History, & Preservation at the Romanian Cultural Institute 🎉💫

On Thursday, November 6th, the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association’s Preservation & Design Committee (P&D), led by Susan Demmet and Elaine Silber hosted a special Art Exhibit Opening Reception & Awards at the Romanian Cultural Institute, bringing together artists, community leaders, and cultural advocates to honor Murray Hill’s rich heritage and creative spirit. View the full art catalogue here.

120+ guests gathered in the beautiful Brâncuși Gallery for a lively meet & greet, followed by a program in the Institute’s auditorium. The evening opened with welcoming remarks by Luisa Tuntuc, Deputy Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute, and H.E. Cornel Feruță, Ambassador Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations, who both highlighted the power of art and international collaboration in strengthening community ties. Jon Harari, President of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association (MHNA), offered remarks alongside a message from Dr. Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, Chair of the NYC Landmarks60 Alliance, recognizing P&D’s leadership and enduring commitment to historic preservation for its “outstanding activism” in protecting and celebrating Murray Hill’s architectural legacy.

Susan Demmet, Trustee and Chair of the Preservation & Design Committee, presented the evening’s Art Awards honoring local talent whose works capture the essence of Murray Hill’s historic and cultural character:

• 🥇 First Prize: Wyatt Smith, The Allerton House
• 🥈 Second Prize: John Connors, The Church of the Incarnation
• 🥉 Third Prize: Rizzo Hernandez, 123 E 35, Bailey Jordan, A Beaux-Arts 123 E. 35th Street
• 🎖️ Honorable Mentions: Leonard J. Eisenberg, Carolyn Fanelli, Katarzyna Townsend.

Following the ceremony, attendees returned to the exhibit for a festive reception surrounded by inspiring artwork.

The MHNA extends its gratitude to the Romanian Cultural Institute for hosting this memorable evening celebrating the intersection of art, architecture, and community preservation. The Preservation & Design Committee congratulates all the talented artists who participated in this competition: Michah Behrend, Beth H. Brenner, Philip Cianci, John Connors, Leonard J. Eisenberg, Carolyn Fanelli, Jon Harari, Rizzo Hernandez, Bailey Jordan, Ilana Kotliar, Cindy Martinez, Michele Sherrill, Wyatt Smith, Katarzyna Townsend, Katherine Vangaever. The sub-committee that worked on the Artistic Competition, Exhibit, and Opening Reception, as well as the other Landmarks60 activities and materials, including the special two-day walking tours and the Commemorative Booklet, included Susan Demmet, Irma Fisher, Deborah Landey, Barbara Sagan, Laurie Sexton, and Elaine Silber.

🎨 Next up: Don’t miss our upcoming Artist Talks — meet the award-winning artists and hear the stories behind their work!