Central Park

NYC PARKS’ ANNUAL WREATH INTERPRETATIONS EXHIBITION RETURNS TO THE ARSENAL GALLERY

Now on display through January 6, 2022

NYC Parks’ annual Wreath Interpretations exhibition is back on display at the Arsenal Gallery, welcoming the holiday season with a variety of inventive and surprising wreaths! After going virtual last year, the 39th exhibition has returned in person and includes wreaths by nearly 40 artists, designers, and creative individuals of all ages who have used unconventional materials to reinvent the traditional holiday symbol.

“The halls are decked with whimsical wreaths again!” said NYC Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff. “This year's free holiday exhibition is especially merry and bright as we celebrate its in-person return to the Arsenal Gallery. We thank the artists for applying their creative spin to this traditional form with unique materials, colors, textures, and inspiring messages.”

Wreaths in the exhibition this year were made using yo-yos, sardine cans, bicycle tubes, vintage maps, plastic bottle caps, seed pods, and more. Some address themes like COVID-19, climate change, and volunteerism, while others serve as calls for togetherness and expressions of resilience.

The individuals and groups participating in this year’s exhibition include: Felicity Beil, Nancy Bowerman-Collins, John Bowman, George Choma, Gail Citron, Patricia Clark, John Clarke, Penelope Coe, Rita Coelho, MJ Levy Dickson, Noreen Dean Dresser, Tom Fitzgibbon, Freshkills Park Team, Yekaterina Gluzberg, Eddie Gormley, Susanna Grüninger, Paul Aaron Johnson, Lori Knowles, George Kroenert, Yumie Kusuda, Benisse Lester, Mary Lou Margel, Meagan J. Meehan, Elizabeth Meggs, Gail Meyers, Elaine Norman, NYC Parks Stewardship Team, Leah Poller, Natasha Osadcija, Sarah Radecki and Theresa Rose, Leonora Retsas, Ann Shostom, Uniqua Simmons, Yasuyo Tanaka, Shakeyla “Shake” Turton, Marlene and Rachel Vine, Barbara Wallace, Takeshi Yamada, and Audrey Zeidman.

NYC Parks’ Arsenal Gallery closed in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic and reopened in October 2021. As a precaution due to COVID-19, several new policies are being implemented to keep visitors safe. To enter the gallery, COVID-19 vaccinations are required for those who are eligible, and mask-wearing is required for all. Guests will be required to sign in, and groups of five or more people can call 212-360-8114 or email artandantiquities@parks.nyc.gov to pre-register.

The exhibition was organized through NYC Parks’ Public Art program. Many of the wreaths are for sale with a portion of the sales benefiting Parks’ programs.

The Arsenal Gallery is dedicated to examining themes of nature, urban space, wildlife, New York City parks and park history. It is located on the third floor of NYC Parks’ Headquarters in Central Park, on Fifth Avenue at 64th Street. For more information, visit nyc.gov/parks/art.

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Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center