Corridors of Light: An Intimate Evening at the 34th Annual Roundtable Exhibition

Tim Daly, Laura Daly, Claire Hashman, and Catherine Johnson at the National Arts Club

On a beautiful June evening in New York City, Gramercy Park South came alive. Towering trees lined the leafy, lamp-lit street. Guests approached the graceful sandstone façade of The National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park South for the 34th Annual Roundtable Exhibition private opening. Art, community, and personal stories filled the historic Tilden Mansion.

Guests arrived with quiet anticipation. Champagne flutes sparkled. Hors d’oeuvres present. Laughter and conversation created that unmistakable New York buzz. Creatives, collectors, and supporters connected in the glow of the evening.

Laura Daly, co-chair of the Roundtable Committee, was the evening’s radiant heart. With natural grace and genuine warmth, she glided through the crowd like a true ambassador - effortlessly drawing people together, igniting lively conversations, and weaving personal stories that bridged guests to the artwork and to one another. She infused the room with energy, inclusivity, and a sense of shared joy, making the night feel intimate and alive.

Laura Daly speaks with a guest

Claire Hashman with Metamorphosis, oil on canvas

The Roundtable Committee set the tone. Daly explained their guiding principle: “The Roundtable Committee at The National Arts Club is grounded in inclusivity. This guides the many free events for the public throughout the year. Our interests embrace all art forms, with particular attention to artists and expressions that deserve greater visibility. This includes diverse ethnic backgrounds and emerging modes.”

Each committee member, many practicing artists themselves, invited a guest artist. The result? An eclectic presentation of over 50 works in the Trask Gallery.

"Our interests embrace all art forms, with particular attention to artists and expressions that deserve greater visibility. This includes diverse ethnic backgrounds and emerging modes." — Laura Daly

Claire Hashman, an accomplished artist and co-chair of the Roundtable Committee, invited Naderson Saint Pierre. His journey from Haiti to New York, through homelessness, led him to paint portraits of the unhoused in Washington Square Park and subway stations. His pieces, often on found materials, speak to resilience, oppression, and human dignity.

Artist Naderson Saint Pierre along with social media strategist, Chyna Tenè

Sylf, a former mathematician turned master pastellist and sculptor, contributed her striking new work. This spherical sculpture merges mathematics and light. Built on the golden ratio and Pi, it features radiant golden curves blending into vibrant reds, blues, and deep chiaroscuro. Geometry meets expressive form.

Artist Sylf with guests

Guests lingered before the pieces. They studied them closely. Conversations revealed personal connections. Textures and colors resonated deeply. Backgrounds added wonder. Gifted NAC bartender and mixologist, Maxine Zilkenat, was delighted to see her work now on these walls. These stories, of reinvention and recognition, brought authenticity and emotional weight.

Maxine Zilkenat, Girls Like Us, gouache

Keico Watanabe, Jazz Sounds of New York City #1194, mixed media on canvas

The theme of Freedom of Expression felt immediate. Bold abstracts. Delicate sculptures. Mixed media and portraits in dialogue. Guests pointed. They debated. They fell silent in front of moving works. The art transcended display. It became a testament to creativity and accessibility.

As the evening wound down, the magic continued. Some guests drifted upstairs to the Members bar. There, the energy of a classic New York City bar met the timeless elegance of the NAC. Conversations flowed on literature, the city, life, and art - the kind of rich, exchanges found only in these historic halls. Others stepped outside into the New York night, disappearing down the leafy streets of Gramercy Park.

Jamel Shabazz, Church Ladies 2004, NYC, chromogenic print 2/9

R. Douglass Rice, Le Petite Petit, oil and charcoal on paper

The National Arts Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 128 years of history, produces over 150 free public events each year. Its mission is to stimulate, foster, and promote interest in the arts. The Roundtable Exhibition, started 34 years ago by committee members, has grown into a vital platform for established and emerging talent. Many participants exhibit worldwide.

This night captured its essence. In dynamic New York, such spaces matter. They champion art and the people behind it. The exhibition remains open to the public through June 26 at 15 Gramercy Park South.

The Roundtable Exhibit and all exhibits at the National Arts Club are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9am-3pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm.

For more information, visit www.nacnyc.org.

Credits:

Event Organizer: The Roundtable Committee / The National Arts Club

Photography: Sal Alibeck / Luxe Magazine