For the first time ever, NYC Parks is pleased to present its Wreath Interpretations exhibition virtually. The 38th annual exhibition rings in the holiday season with an array of nearly 40 inventive, handmade adaptations of the traditional decoration. While the Arsenal Gallery is closed, this year’s wreaths are presented in a slideshow on the agency’s website here.
“With our virtual exhibition, New Yorkers will have the chance to view this year’s creative wreaths from ho-ho-home!” saidNYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “We are happy to continue this fun holiday tradition and proud to display work by dozens of artists in our online gallery. These wreaths are bound to inspire with their surprising materials and reflections on contemporary themes.”
Wreaths in the exhibition are made of a variety of unconventional materials, including used paintbrushes, newspapers, aluminum cans, coconut husks and shells, work gloves, earrings, grains and spices, and matchbooks. Some address timely topics like COVID-19, working remotely, and creative reuse and recycling, while others serve as lighthearted inspiration and symbols of hope. Each wreath featured in the online gallery includes the artist’s written interpretation of their work.
The individuals and groups participating in this year’s exhibition include: Leenda Bonilla; Capucine Bourcart & Leah Poller; Sade Boyewa El, Leah Poller & Allicette Torres; Patricia Clark; Penelope Coe; M.J. Levy Dickson; Noreen Dean Dresser, Marie-Dominique Decock & Undine Groeger; Monica Forrestall; Teri Vecchione Fulton; Eddie Gormley; Kaitilin Bingham Griffin; Susanna Grüninger; Jean Patrick Guilbert; Kaitlyn E. Hay; Jane Kartsch; Lori Knowles; George Kroenert; Yumie Kusuda; Josh Levine; Mary Lou Margel; Christina Massey; Amanda Mattson; Meagan J. Meehan; Elaine Norman; NYC Parks Stewardship Team; L.A. Pagan; Michael Pribich; Leonora Retsas; Selva Sanjinés; Adrian & Minia Sas; Shira Toren; Marlene & Rachel Vine; Barbara Wallace; Williams Bridge Oval Remote Learning Childcare Children; WOLF (Surya & Ritu Singh); Takeshi Yamada; and Deborah Zingale.
The exhibition was organized through NYC Parks’ Art & Antiquities Division.