"Brought tears to my eyes. What an incredible story and show!"
The words above are like many penned in the guest book. Another wrote:
"Uplifting and enlightening. I will spread the word far and wide."
Currently in my Long Island City studio for varnishing,
the portraits and stories will be spending the summer and fall in the great
Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City
Photos below! Details to come.
"Uplifting and enlightening. I will spread the word far and wide."
Currently in my Long Island City studio for varnishing,
the portraits and stories will be spending the summer and fall in the great
Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City
Photos below! Details to come.
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Below are photos from the first exhibitions that began in New York City in January, 2019, and continued through April 22nd.
March-April, 2019 The Riverside Church in the City of New York |
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From the Guest Book:
"As wonderful as the portraits are, so too are the stories. I want all of them to be neighbors or friends!"
"As wonderful as the portraits are, so too are the stories. I want all of them to be neighbors or friends!"
It was a beautiful installation (below and right.)
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The first exhibition of all 16 portraits and stories opened in January, 2019, in beautiful Andrew Hall in
Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York City.
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Photos by Reiko Yanagi.
We hit capacity and had to stop taking reservations. I spoke at the opening about why I've spent two years finding, interviewing, painting the portraits, and writing the stories of immigrants and how touched I'e been by their stories.
You can watch by clicking on the button below. This show ran through February 15th.
Today's immigrants on display under the portraits of former rectors of venerable Saint Thomas Church.
In May, 2018, the first nine portraits and stories went on display in the
Long Island City Arts Open Festival.
photos by Girish/Speliotis
Viewers wrote:
"Thank you for showing another side! Your collection and stories are beautiful and inspiring!"
- Laura Fernandez.
"Thank you for sharing the American Dream and showing that it comes in all shapes, sizes and colors."
- Raymond Lam.
"What a beautiful thing you have done! Thank you for bringing these stories alive,"
- The Rev. Canon
Carl F. Turner, Rector, Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue.
"You are doing God's work,"
- Susan Ridgeway, Executive Director, The Church Club of New York.