Highlights from the CITYarts 37th Gala!

Click here to see coverage of our Gala from ABC7 News!

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Every CITYarts Annual Celebration has its own unique character. This year, our 37th Anniversary coincided with the 250th anniversary of the American Dream—a fitting moment to reflect on the power of creativity, freedom, and community. CITYarts is planning to create a Peace Wall in Washington, D.C. this year, featuring 250 visual voices of hope from youth representing all 50 states. Their messages will be presented alongside inspiring quotes from leaders of the past and present.

For me, this year was especially meaningful, both as the Founder of CITYarts and on a personal level. On July 4, 1986, I became an American citizen on Ellis Island, sworn in by Chief Justice Warren Burger alongside Mikhail Baryshnikov and Yakov Smirnoff, as all three of us were born in Russia, only I came via Israel. Together with nearly 200 new citizens from approximately 90 countries, we celebrated the promise of America. I recently had the pleasure of reminding Baryshnikov of that memorable day and hope that CITYarts will soon honor him for the extraordinary work of the Baryshnikov Arts Center, which he founded over 20 years ago—truly making a difference through the arts.

This year's honorees were exceptional role models for our youth, and their presenters were equally inspiring: Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, Daniel Pincus, and Madison Mobbs.

Our Honoree Dominique Lévy, who began her career in public art, continues to educate and inspire people to live with art through her international gallery, Lévy Gorvy Dayan while promoting artist's careers.

Dalia Ziada is a courageous advocate for peace and a powerful voice combating antisemitism through her work with ISGAP-Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy.

Meaghan Mobbs works tirelessly to help bring abducted Ukrainian children home. CITYarts has already collaborated with her through the exhibition and sale of CITYarts Pieces for Peace created by Ukrainian youth before the war. Her daughter, Madison, who presented her award, has become a CITYarts Pieces for Peace Ambassador at her high school in Virginia.

A special thank you to David Novarro, our dedicated Master of Ceremonies, who brings both professionalism and star power to our events while delivering the news daily on WABC-TV.

What a beautiful evening we shared at the lovely Crosby Street Hotel in the heart of artistic SoHo, New York. My heartfelt thanks to Thomas Woynar for helping make it all happen.

Thank you as well to our remarkable staff, interns, and Board members. We truly could not do this work without you. And thank you to Zigi, my personal artist and daily inspiration, who continually reminds me to stay creative. 

I am deeply grateful to every guest who attended the gala. Your presence alone helps support our mission of keeping young people focused on creativity rather than the troubles they may encounter on the streets. Together, we provide opportunities for youth to express themselves, build bridges, and contribute to a more peaceful world.

As Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” I wholeheartedly agree. Imagination allows us to live life twice—once in reality and once through the limitless possibilities of our minds.

We must invest in the imagination of our youth; it is a well that will never run dry. Yet in the face of the challenges we see around us today, imagination must be paired with education. Together, they form a powerful force that can inspire peace, understanding, and responsible leadership. Our future leaders must learn history and have the courage to speak the truth.

Please remember: when kids create, they don't destroy.

Program Video:

Left: Honoree Dominique Lévy and her son. Photo: Stan Schnier; Right: Dominique Lévy (left) with her partner Caryl Englander (center) and Brick Award presenter Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn (right). Photo: Wendy Nadler

Left: Honoree Dalia Ziada (left) with CITYarts Founder, Executive & Creative Director Tsipi Ben-Haim (right). Photo: Ellen Walop | Right: From left: Madiha Siddiqui, Faraz Siddiqui, Tsipi Ben-Haim, David Novarro, Amir Dossal, Tas Dossal. Photo: Wendy Nadler

Photos: Ellen Wallop and Stan Schnier

Left: Inma Barrero; Right: Zigi Ben-Haim and Maya Kopytman. Photos: Wendy Nadler

Special thanks go to the generous artists who created our awards and donated works to our auction, and to the extraordinary Sotheby's auctioneer, Christy Coombs, who inspired our guests to acquire beautiful artwork while supporting the creation of public art projects that transform communities through the collaboration of youth and professional artists.

Documentation from the Art Auction exhibition at the Crosby Street Hotel with works by William Wegman, Stehpen Antonakos, Richard Bosman, Cindy Sherman, Peter Sis, Ari Benami, Cris Gianakos, Zigi Ben-Haim, Christo, Alec Soth, Tim Hawkinson, Emma Amos. Photos: Ellen Wallop, Wendy Nadler, Aneesa Julmice, and Stan Schnier

Every one of you reading this newsletter is invited to join our movement of caring people who demonstrate, through action and dedication, that we care and dare to empower young people to improve their neighborhoods and shape a brighter future.

Together, we are spreading light and instilling hope. Let's drink to peace!

Enjoy the Gala video:

To see more Gala photos, follow this link.

A special thanks to our dedicated photographers Wendy Nadler, Stan Schnier, Ellen Walop, and our videographer Mariusz Brozek.

Stay Safe and Actively Hopeful,

Tsipi

Tsipi Ben-Haim

Founder, Executive & Creative Director, CITYarts, Inc.