Tania Stavreva will give a recital this Saturday, May 11. This diverse and kaleidoscope piano program, rare to find elsewhere, features composers from 5 different countries (Mompou, Satie, Ginastera, Vladigerov, Stavreva and Tabakova) and celebrates rhythms in a new, fresh and modern way, making classical music accessible to wider audiences.
Ceremony of Rhythms! Featuring Tania Stavreva, Piano
Brooke Shields & Helena Christensen at Art New York
Actress Brooke Shields and model/photographer Helena Christensen were in attendance at a VIP Reception held the opening day of Art New York on Thursday, May 2.



The New York Academy of Art is Art New York’s philanthropic partner. The Academy presented an exhibition curated by Academy President David Kratz and Academy supporter Helena Christensen, that held a VIP Reception attended by Academy trustees Brooke Shields, Suzanne and Bob Cochran, Patricia and Scott Moger, and NYAA Provost Peter Drake. The drawings, paintings and sculpture have all been created by alumni of the Academy’s MFA program including James Adelman, Tamalin Baumgarten,Joao Brandao, Dina Brodsky, Diana Corvelle, Shiqing Deng, Christian Fagerlund, Brett Harvey, Jacob Hicks, Alexis Hilliard, Sara Issakharian, Yun Jang, Lani Kennefick, Will Kurtz, Dan Pelonis, Laura Peturson, James Razko, Nicolas V. Sanchez, Stephen Shaeen, Susan Siegel, Kathy Stecko, Zeynep Tekiner, Jiannan Wu, and Zane York. Several of the artists attended the reception.
Galerie Gmurzynska Presents Singular Masterpiece at TEFAF Spring + Louise Nevelson at NY Gallery
Galerie Gmurzynska New York is pleased to present an exhibition of Louise Nevelson’s iconic monochromatic wood assemblages alongside her rarely seen collages. These works will be on view at 39 East 78th Street, 3rd floor, from May 2nd to June 15th.
To this day one of the most celebrated female artist of the 20th century, Nevelson’s work has been exhibited alongside other greats such as Jasper Johns, Ellsworth Kelly,Frank Stella, and Robert Rauschenberg. Her works took notice among the combines of Rauschenberg and the immense color block paintings of Stella and now reside in the collections of top museums such as the Tate Gallery in London, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC.
As monumental as they are memorable, Nevelson’s wood assemblages have been aligned with many different movements from Abstract Expressionism, to Cubism and Surrealism. In presenting these objects, Nevelson is presenting us with her own valued collection, her found objects, a personal anecdote, and a glance into her life.
Born in present day Ukraine in 1899, Nevelson’s family settled in the United States by 1905. She studied the arts with Frederick Kiesler and Hilla Rebay, was introduced toMarcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso, briefly attended Hans Hofmann’s school in Munich, and worked as an assistant to Diego Rivera. With such prominent and influential colleagues, teachers, and mentors, she went on to create a unique art that would resonate with a myriad of artistic movements while staying wholly and genuinely her own.
Nevelson’s collages are a harmonious and lesser seen companion to the assemblages. Titled after a famous Nevelson quote, “The way I think is collage,” the gallery’s publication was the first to focus on her collage work and brought to the surface never before published documentary images and personal essays by Robert Indiana and Bill Katz. Three of her collages will be on view for the exhibition.
A Singular Masterpiece at TEFAF New York Spring

As a unique Art Fair exhibition concept Galerie Gmurzynska will present at this year’s TEFAF at the Park Avenue Armory in New York, a single Masterpiece of enormous scale and seminal historic importance. The 9 x 13 meters (366 x 512 inches) painting was created for the world’s most famous ballet company of all times, Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, and was presented 105 years ago in Paris and London only weeks before the outbreak of World War I. Le Coq d’Or was one of the last productions of Sergei Diaghilev.
As at the Royal Albert Hall in 2005, the work will be suspended from the ceiling of the great hall of the Park Avenue Armory and will be accompanied by a special exhibition stand (designed by the famed designer Tom Postma) at the entrance to the fair.
Natalia Goncharova’s backdrop is the only surviving large scale painting from this Diaghilev production but also one of very few important large scale backdrop paintings, such as Picasso’s stage cloth for Diaghilev’s Le Train Bleu from 1924, today in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Le Coq d’Or was sold in 1968 at the famed Diaghilev Sale at Sotheby’s London, and has since been shown at the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the MART Museum with a Skira publication entitled The Dance of the Avant-Gardes, paintings, scenes and costumes from Degas to Picasso, to Matisse to Keith Haring.
The presentation at TEFAF coincides with a strong renewed interest in the work of Natalia Goncharova, with a major retrospective of the artist set to open at the Tate Modern in London in June with a room dedicated to Goncharova and Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes including designs for Le Coq d’Or. It is also noteworthy that a 1916 painting by Goncharova was recently sold at Christie’s London for over 8 Million Dollars.

The documentation will include two original drawings. A portrait of Natalia Goncharova by her husband, Mikhail Larionov, and a Costume Design by Goncharova for Le Coq d’Or.
THE BOX THEATER: An Incredible Evening Full of Live Performance Art By Michel Abboud & Opera with The Metropolitan National Council

Pope Francis Paints with Artists Domingo Zapata & Mr. Brainwash at The Vatican – 3/21
On Thursday March 21 at 2pm local time, artist Domingo Zapata returned to the Vatican along with his friend, Mr. Brainwash to join Pope Francis in painting a canvas Zapata had started with the word “immigrant.”
It was announced during their creative session that Zapata had been named an ambassador for the Pontifical Scholas Occurrentes Foundation, an organization founded by His Holiness that raises awareness of the importance of art in education.
This is the second time Zapata has painted with Pope Francis, the first time being in May 2018. The work they created then was sold at auction for half a million dollars. This new immigration-themed piece will also be sold at an auction to benefit the foundation at a date that is yet to be determined.
Of the chosen theme, Zapata noted, “I’m a citizen of the world and a constant immigrant, and I come from a humble background. The subject of immigration, therefore, is important to me, especially in an age where people want to build walls between countries. I disagree with this thinking. I want to raise the issue and make a point out of it.”
About Domingo Zapata:
Domingo Zapata is a Spanish-American artist born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Currently, Zapata maintains studios in his Gramercy Park townhouse in New York City, the Design District in Miami, and Hollywood. In these private ateliers, he produces Neo-Expressionist paintings, as well as sculpture. He paints in both oil and acrylic, often incorporating mixed-media, collage, and graffiti.
For over 20 years, Zapata has built a body of work, which varies significantly in motif, though consistently explores themes of sexuality, opulence, and vitality in his signature style. In this distinctive hand, Zapata layers fantasy and reality, luring the viewer in to his potent, cosmically beautiful world. Known for his signature “Polo” series, which first gained him critical acclaim, more recent work focuses on themes including his native Spanish culture, American Pop icons, and the state of the contemporary practice. He often draws on his experiences as a songwriter (Zapata co-wrote lyrics for Michael Jackson and Jon Secada), and exposes his deeply poetic imagination by incorporating text and visual cues into many of his works. In this way, his images coax the viewer into his realm where fact and fiction persist simultaneously fortifying each other’s beauty, depth, and meaning.
Named an “artist to watch,” in 2011 by the prestigious Whitewall Magazine, Zapata has quickly fulfilled this prophesy. Since, his work has earned praise from international press such as The New York Times (cover story, Thursday Styles, April 25, 2013), Esquire Spain, Vanity Fair Italia, and the New York Observer. Recently, New York magazine deemed him “in a league of his own,” while the New York Post proclaimed Zapata to be the “new Andy Warhol, with starlets begging for a sitting.”
The artist has also prepared a poignant, commemorative mural for the lobby of Freedom Tower in Manhattan. The piece was unveiled as part of the building’s opening ceremony and remain on permanent display. Additional commissions include a panel for the newly restored Colosseum in Rome as well as the lobby of the landmark Plaza Hotel in New York.
ART NEW YORK RETURNS FOR FIFTH EDITION WITH ICONIC CONTEMPORARY, MODERN, POST-WAR, POP ART AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
Art New York, presented by Art Miami, the preeminent producer of leading international contemporary and modern art fairs, returns to Pier 94 in Manhattan for its fifth edition. An elegant VIP Preview will be held on Thursday, May 2ndbetween 2pm and 5pm, before the fair opens to the public that evening through Sunday, May 5th.

In 2018, Art New York welcomed more than 32,000 collectors to view paintings, photography, prints, drawings, design and sculpture presented by 95 international galleries from 30 countries, representing more than 1,200 artists from the contemporary, modern, post-war and pop eras. The fair will once again present CONTEXT, a platform for galleries to showcase emerging, mid-career and cutting-edge talent.

Pier 94 in Manhattan has become the most important exhibition facility for the arts in the area. The exhibition space of Art New York will cover more than 170,000 square feet, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Hudson River.

Art New York will provide complimentary one-way car service to VIP card holders, as well as a courtesy shuttle service between Art New York and the Frieze Ferry at East 35th Street. The Fair allows complimentary admittance to all Frieze and TEFAF VIP cardholders.

FAIR HOURS
VIP Preview: Thursday, May 2nd, 2pm – 5pm (Access for Art New York VIP Cardholders, Frieze VIP Cardholders, TEFAF NY VIP Cardholders & Sotheby’s Preferred Cardholders)
General Admission: Thursday, May 2nd, 5pm – 8pm; Friday, May 3rd and Saturday, May 4th, 12pm – 8pm; Sunday, May 5th, 12pm – 6pm
LOCATION
Pier 94, West Side Highway at 55th Street, New York, NY 10019
TICKET PRICES
One day pass for $25; Multi day pass for $55; Students 12-18 years and Seniors 62 years+ for $15; Groups of 10 or more for $15; Free admission for Children under 12 years accompanied by an adult
MORE INFORMATION
www.artnyfair.com | T: 1.800.376.5850 | E: info@art-miami.com

Simons Foundation President Marilyn Hawrys Simons To Be Honored at Stars of Stony Brook Gala (New York City – April 10 at Chelsea Piers)
(Stony Brook, New York, March 15, 2019) — Stony Brook University will honor alumna and Simons Foundation President Marilyn Hawrys Simons, BA ’74, PhD ’84 at its 20th Stars of Stony Brook Gala, Wednesday, April 10 at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers. Hosted annually by the Stony Brook Foundation, this year the celebration will recognize Dr. Simons for her leadership as president of one of the nation’s premier philanthropic institutions devoted to driving progress in basic science as well as her contributions to improving educational opportunities for the underserved. As a philanthropist, advocate and volunteer for Stony Brook University, Marilyn has been a champion for one of New York State’s outstanding public universities.
Since its inception in 2000, the Stony Brook Foundation Stars of Stony Brook Gala has raised more than $36 million to support student scholarships and $21 million for academic programs of excellence. Last year’s Gala honoring Roy Lichtenstein Foundation President Dorothy Lichtenstein raised $2.1 million for student scholarships and $5 million for the Stony Brook Southampton Creative Writing and Film programs.
Just the third alumni to receive this honor, Dr. Simons will join a distinguished roster of scholars, politicians, celebrities and luminaries who have been honored at the Stars of Stony Brook Gala. The roster includes Former Vice PresidentJoseph Biden, Nobel Laureate CN Yang; actors Julie Andrews, Alan Alda, Jane Fonda, and Ed Harris; Renaissance Technologies founder James Simons; IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond ’76; and world-renowned conservationistsPatricia Wright and Richard Leakey
In 1994, with husband Jim Simons, Dr. Simons co-founded — and became president of — the Simons Foundation. In the years since its founding the Simons Foundation rapidly became one of the nation’s leading private funders of basic research, its president a vocal advocate for increased philanthropic involvement in high-risk, high-reward scientific research. Stony Brook University awarded her an honorary doctorate of letters degree in 2008.
Recently, after 25-plus year’s experience actively supporting nonprofit organizations in New York City and State, Dr. Simons was appointed chair of the board of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a globally renowned U.S. research facilitywith research programs focusing on cancer, genomics, neuroscience, plant biology and quantitative biology.
In New York City, she continues her involvement in improving K-12 education for underserved communities as a member of the boards of the Learning Spring School, a school for children on the autism spectrum and the East Harlem Scholars Academy.
At Stony Brook University, Dr. Simons serves as a board member of the Turkana Basin Institute, a research institution that supports scientific projects in the Turkana Basin of Northern Kenya. She is founder and chair of the Stony Brook Women’s Leadership Council, a mentoring program that pairs outstanding female undergraduates with accomplished female alumni and friends of the University. Dr. Simons has also helped emphasize the importance of health and nutrition by supporting the Walter J. Hawrys Campus Recreation Center named in honor of her late father. She supports the scientists of tomorrow through the Simons Summer Research Fellows and the university’s Undergraduate Research Experience and Creative Activities program.
“Stony Brook wouldn’t be the excellent university it is today, without our many friends and alumni,” said Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley, Jr. “But Marilyn’s singular commitment to ensuring Stony Brook remains an engine of social mobility is unparalleled. In fact, as someone who dedicates her life to creating opportunity, to advancing knowledge and improving lives, Marilyn embodies the very ethos of Stony Brook University.In 2018, Simons was awarded a doctorate of humane letters by PACE University, recognizing her as a leading science philanthropist and for her work at the LearningSpring School. Together with husband Jim Simons, Marilyn has also been recognized with a Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Double Helix Medal (2008); the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy (“the Nobel Prize of philanthropy” in 2013); an honorary degree from The Rockefeller University (2013); and, most recently, a Chemical and Marketing Economics Leadership Award from the American Chemical Society, New York honoring her for outstanding STEM-related philanthropy (2018).
“Marilyn’s remarkable kindness, humility and intellect has long merited a special place in our hearts at Stony Brook, and among all those fortunate to know and work with her,” said Stony Brook Foundation Chair Richard Gelfond ’76. “She is an incredible woman of substance and vision, and I’m proud to call her a colleague, fellow alum and friend.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit stonybrook.edu/gala.
20th Annual Stars of Stony Brook Gala details:
WEDNESDAY APRIL 10, 2019
Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, New York City
Cocktails 6:30 pm / Dinner 7:30 pm – Business attire
About Stony Brook University:
Stony Brook University, widely regarded as a SUNY flagship, is going beyond the expectations of what today’s public universities can accomplish. Since its founding in 1957, this young university has grown to become one of only four University Center campuses in the State University of New York (SUNY) system with more than 25,700 students and 2,500 faculty members, and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs. Our faculty have earned numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize and the inaugural Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics.
The University offers students an elite education with an outstanding return on investment: U.S. News & World Report ranks Stony Brook among the top 50 public universities in the nation. Its membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places Stony Brook among the top 62 research institutions in North America. As part of the management team of Brookhaven National Laboratory, the University joins a prestigious group of universities that have a role in running federal R&D labs.
Stony Brook University is a driving force in the region’s economy, generating nearly 60,000 jobs and an annual economic impact of $6.4 billion. Our state, country and world demand ambitious ideas, imaginative solutions and exceptional leadership to forge a better future for all. The students, alumni, researchers and faculty of Stony Brook University are prepared to meet this challenge.
About Stony Brook Foundation
Established in 1965, the Stony Brook Foundation is a private 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. It exists to advance the goals and strategic plan of Stony Brook University by raising and managing private funds on the University’s behalf. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $1 billion in gifts and employs best practices and procedures to ensure all gifts to the University are wisely invested and distributed consistent with each donor’s expressed intent.
Philanthropy that supports Stony Brook University’s programs and builds its endowment has never been more important given the well-documented decline in state funding for public higher education. Although New York State is more generous to its state university system than those of other states, it funds less than 18 percent of Stony Brook’s annual operating budget.
Interview with Janel Tanna
Janel Tanna recently graced the cover of Maxim Magazine as their 2019 Cover Girl Winner.
Janel, who grew up in Buffalo, NY and currently lives in New York City, is best known for her work sci-fi work in Renegades (Atomic Network), directed by Star Trek veteran Tim Russ, the award-winning indie narrative drama Sienna’s Choice, which she produced, wrote and starred in, and, as stated above, as Maxim’s 2019 Cover Girl Winner (January/February issue). Later this year, Janel will appear in the new sci-fi/comedy series Cozmo’s, alongside Drake Bell and Star Trek veterans Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo and Aron Eisenberg, on the Atomic Network.
Janel is a member of SAG-AFTRA, trained in Method Acting at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute and Film Institute and in the Meisner Technique at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.

Prior to acting, Janel earned her medical degree (MD) summa cum laude from the University of Buffalo.
Janel has been in approximately 20 projects in the last four years, including several indie films, which have screened at various film festivals. She has won acting awards both nationally and internationally. Highlights include:
Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema 2019
WINNER – Mary Austin Award for Excellence in Acting
WINNER – Kristoff St. John Award
New York City International Film Festival 2019
WINNER – Emerging Talent Award
Global Shore Film Awards Cannes 2018
WINNER – Acting Rising Star – Sienna’s Choice
Buffalo Niagara International Film Festival 2017
WINNER – Best Actress in a Feature Category – Sienna’s Choice
New York Film Awards 2017
WINNER – Best Actress – Sienna’s Choice
Vancouver Filmdance Festival 2017
WINNER – Best Actress – Sienna’s Choice
Grove Film Festival 2016
WINNER – Best Actress – Sienna’s Choice
Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival 2016
WINNER – Best Actress – Sienna’s Choice
Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival 2016
WINNER – Best Actress Feature Film – Sienna’s Choice
Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards 2016
WINNER – Best Actress – Sienna’s Choice
Sutter Creek International Film Festival 2016
WINNER – Best Actress in a Feature Film – Sienna’s Choice

Interview with Janel Tanna:
1.What kind of roles does being trained in Method acting allow you to pursue that you wouldn’t otherwise?
I think that is individual for every actor. I don’t use one specific thing and it really depends on the character. I have training in method acting and Meisner. I use and do what my instinct and thoughts deem helpful for the moment or character. I am always learning something new.
2.Why did you switch from medical pursuits to acting?
I was born an actor. However, not one thing defines me and life is in flux. I plan ahead and set goals, but also do what the day or situation brings me. I don’t like to place myself or anyone else in one box. I love acting, the thrill of role prep and the truth. I also love being able to help people and be involved in the scientific process. Medicine and acting area both parts of me, just as other things.
3.Many of your awards have come from work you did on Sienna’s Choice. Can you tell us a little about that?
Sienna’s Choice was a film I made to try and start establishing myself, at least somewhat as a filmmaker. It was also a story I felt needed to be told. It looked at end of life decision making and the emotional and physical challenges one can face. It came from the heart both as a creator and as an actor. I was also lucky to start to form a foundation of collaborators who have become very important to me on this creative and life journey.

4.How does it feel acting with stars from a legendary show?
It felt great acting with Star Trek alum on shows such as Renegades and Cozmos. The actors (and director) I worked with are very talented and seasoned, I felt lucky to be able to learn from them. Any time I do a project, I learn new things. It was great being lucky enough to work on something with them.
5.Where do you hope to go next with your career?
We just wrapped a dramatic short film, Intervention. I am one of the lead actresses and joined as co-producer. It touches upon addiction and mental health. It is a snapshot into the consequences addiction and tragedy can have on a personal and familial level. Linda Palmer (also director of Sienna’s Choice) is director. Julia Silverman lead producer/actress. I just came back from Idyllwild International Film Festival, where I was lucky to be the recipient of two special awards. Thanks to Trinity, Stephen and Andrea. Our film Turnover which I have a smaller role as a doctor, yay, also screened there and was a double award recipient. All of the actors in the film do a superb job. I am in discussion for a few other films I have auditioned for but cannot yet discuss.

BELLA New York Hosts Their Influencer Issue Cover Launch Party With Christie Brinkley
Supermodel Christie Brinkley hosted BELLA’s Influencer cover launch party on March 13th at Bagatelle New York in the Meatpacking District. Prosecco DOC, Preventive Measures 101 and University Pain Medicine sponsored the evening that celebrated the latest cover star. Guests sipped on Plush Vodka, Chinola Liquer, as well as automatic cocktails made by robot bartender, Barys, while checking out the skincare products by Herla which contain natural ingredients. Guests for the evening included Courtenay Hall (BELLA Editor-in-Chief), Daniel Hall (BELLA Chief Brand Strategist), Christie Brinkley, Ty Hunter (Celebrity Stylist), Marc Bower (fashion designer), Laura Kia Chen (NBC’s “Days of our Lives”), Pagie DeSorbo (BRAVO’s “Summer House”), Mariana Montesanti (Broadway Theater Director) and Donald Paul (FX’s “Atlanta”).





