New York diaries

Just over two weeks ago I was at the opening
of the show I'm in until the end of the month
in New York. It was fantastic. You know I'm a
pretty low key person -- not in my personality
necessarily, but in my dress. I almost live in a
white shirt, black, or navy sweater, blue jeans
and boots or sneakers.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Alton Louis Amsterdam III
International-Ambassador-at-Large (right) and
Ruthie Tucker, Executive Director-Curator,
Amsterdam Whitney Gallery (right) greet Baroness
Julia Shenchenko: Ukraine-Russia

So looking at the pictures of other gala openings
on the Amsterdam Whitney Gallery website made me
worried that I wouldn't be dressy enough, and I
did not have a mask. You see the gallery's gala openings
have a Mardi Gras air, and all the gallery staff,
artists and guests dress to the nines in formal attire,
and fancy dress masks.

Gallery assistant, Jenny with me and Steven
(Steven is carrying an envelope with
books I had printed of my work --
like a more formal portfolio -- what a
good man.)

Now that I've attended one of these superb parties
I see that the idea of hosting a special event evening
is a brilliant one.

The gala opening at the Amsterdam Whitney Gallery had it
all -- great drama and a feeling of occasion with people
in formal dress, lots of wonderful food, cheeses and grapes,
and delicious cookies on silver trays. The art was super,
and the guests were very happy drinking the excellent
champagne. As soon as I met gallery curator and executive
Director Ruthie Tucker, all of my worries vanished.
The party felt like a joyous celebration.

Here's how the gallery owners described the night:
Amsterdam Whitney Gallery's exciting Gala and Glitzy
Champagne Reception took place on Thursday, May 6th.
The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery is located in the gold
coast Art District of Chelsea, NYC, which is the international
art buying center of the world. Amsterdam Whitney Gallery
was glittering and glowing with fun and excitement from this
ultra-fabulous Masquerade Champagne Party! In addition,
the artists of Amsterdam Whitney Gallery were thrilled that
the prominent NYC TV Producer and Show Biz Personality,
Ms. Kristal Hart attended the glamorous party and filmed it
for an upcoming Prime-Time 8:00 pm , "Kristal Hart Show,"
which will appear on Manhattan Cable TV and will showcase
Amsterdam Whitney Gallery's artists."

Reading that makes me feel so delighted all over again. It was
fun indeed. I talked to artists and art buyers from all over the
world, and was interviewed by Kristal Hart. All in all it was a
tremendously exciting evening.

Towards the end of the evening
I was interviewed about my paintings
by Kristal Hart.

I was so sorry my blog was down that night, and also that I was
having so much fun that I didn't take any pictures. The whole
evening was a complete treat. Thank you Amsterdam Whitney.

Tonight we raised a glass of champagne to the gallery, to
New York City, and to our neighbours SandraPacitti,
and Davide Tonizzo who joined us to sit out on the
(rather chilly) back porch for the first time this
spring. Davide had three of the products he
designed featured in The Wall Street journal recently.
Not too surprisingly we had a lot of fun, and of course
agree that our street -- Cherrywood Avenue, and its
inhabitants -- rocks.

Have a having-a-great-celebration day.