MYRNA'S MUSINGS...
A Snapshot of Events, Travels and Reflections
Posted by Myrna Haskell, Executive Editor
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Find out where I've been as I explore galleries, attend events, and meet with authors, humanitarians, artists, educators and community leaders. Meeting these incredible women in person and learning about their journeys is what drives me to move forward with SANCTUARY! My personal travel experiences are also included. (All photos by Myrna Haskell unless otherwise noted.) |
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July 16, 2026
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Slideshow Photos: Myrna Haskell
NOTE: This exhibition closes on July 31. For those who would like to submit work, volunteer, or contribute to this annual exhibition, send an EMAIL to the event organizers with your questions.
Eligibility to Submit Work: ~ 18 years or older ~ A current/past member of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Reserve Corps of the U.S. Armed Forces, or the National Guard ~ Immediate family member (i.e. a child by blood, adoption, or marriage; a parent, sibling, spouse, grandparent, or grandchild) of a current/past member of the U.S. Armed Forces |
New York, New York:
Readers will find a full report on the "Journeys Onward: Military Veterans' Experiences" exhibition at Salmagundi Club in our upcoming Community Compass in August, but I'd like to shout out two artists I had the pleasure of meeting at the celebratory reception on July 16th. I chatted with these two talented and engaging women about their work. Laura Moorehead, an artist residing in Connecticut, is a retired U.S. Navy officer who worked as an electronics technician in the nuclear reactor program. She was one of the first 300 women admitted to the Nuclear Power Training Program. After leaving the Navy, she spent over 40 years, running her own freelance graphic design service, Angell House Design. Laura had several works selected for the show, but I was most drawn to her piece "Mommy's Here." Laura explained, "Women and children are often the forgotten people affected by war." When I asked her what inspires her work, she answered, "My inspirations are often inspired by wildlife and the environment." Laura works mostly in pottery and oil painting, but she also dabbles in encaustic, watercolors, gauche, and more. This is Laura's fourth consecutive year exhibiting in this special show. Find her on INSTAGRAM. Beth Johnston, another artist from Connecticut, is the daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran. She shared, "My piece that was selected ["Submerged"] is in honor of my father. We only had a few photos from when he served in the Korean War, and they are happy photos of soldiers arm in arm." A partial artist statement about her work: "The feeling of drowning can be a metaphor for the overwhelming nature of PTSD symptoms, such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and hypervigilance, which can feel like they are constantly surfacing and threatening to engulf the individual." She also shared with me that she had always created art, but it wasn't until later in life that she had the opportunity to focus on it. For close to a decade, Beth has been working in encaustic and oil/wax. "Submerged" is a hauntingly beautiful work she created in encaustic collage. Find her on INSTAGRAM. |
July 1, 2026
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Slideshow Photos: Myrna Haskell
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New York, New York:
On a recent trip to the city, I decided to walk up Park Avenue on my way to Grand Central because a fairly new sculpture installation was on display. I was captivated by the whimsical and vibrant sculptures created by Dorit Levinstein. A mixture of twirling dancers, colorful flamingos, and elements of nature had many stopping to snap photos — including me! When I returned home, I decided to explore her work some more. Dorit was born in 1956 in Haifa, Israel. At the age of 32, she fell in love with sculpture. She is known for three periods of study: 1) “Classical” Bronze 2) Stone and Mixed Media 3) Colorful linear figures (her current work). Dorit's work is part of private collections across the globe, and she has exhibited worldwide, including The Royal Academy (London). Her monumental outdoor sculptures grace the landscape of many municipalities. For more about Dorit Levinstein, visit her website. The exhibition on Park Avenue was installed on Monday, May 11, 2026, along Park Avenue from 34th to 39th Streets. Art lovers can explore these sculptures through May 2027. |
June 12, 2026
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Video Credit: Myrna Haskell
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New York, New York:
For years, I've been attending the Opening Reception of the National Association of Women Artist's (NAWA) Annual Member Exhibition, and it always proves to be an exceptional night with oodles of positive energy in the air. For the second year, this annual exhibition is being held at the Leonovich Gallery in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. The exhibition is open to the public through June 27th. NAWA was founded in 1889 and is the first women's fine arts association in the United States. Its mission continues to be focused on promoting visual art created by women in the United States. The organization strives to support its members and women artists through exhibitions, programs and education. |
June 11, 2026
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Slideshow Credit: Myrna Haskell (unless otherwise noted)
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New York, New York:
Another luncheon in the books! The NAWA Annual Members' General Meeting & Luncheon was held at the National Arts Club. It's always fun to meet with friends and make new connections. I particularly enjoyed this year's Keynote Speaker. Barbara Segal is an interdisciplinary sculptor and stone carver. After studying at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, she moved to Europe where she learned stone carving techniques from the masters at prestigious studios and foundries. She often draws inspiration from pop and fashion icons (e.g. her Birkin bags which went viral on social media). She also appreciates the fine detail of European architecture and historical art, incorporating something that catches her eye and making it her own. This year, we made dinner plans with our good friends Pennie, Bob, Sandra and Joanne at Chama Mama, a Georgian restaurant in Chelsea that we had tried for our son's birthday earlier in the year. I highly recommend starting with traditional Adjaruli Khachapuri, a bread designed as a boat (the region of Adjara near the Black Sea was a fishing community) with egg and cheese mixed tableside. For main plates, I recommend Saperavi and Pomegranate Beef Stew and Megruli Kharcho Chicken (which is gluten free!). |
May 13, 2026
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Readers should stay tuned for additional write-ups about this area in our June Community Compass.
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Perdido Key, Florida & Orange Beach, Alabama:
I stumbled upon this location looking for a place for my husband and I to regroup and recharge in or near Pensacola. I was pleasantly surprised to find this little stretch of paradise, known for its wildlife and quiet beaches, yet to be discovered by the masses. Spanish for "Lost Island," Perdido Key sits west of Pensacola Beach, straddling the Florida and Alabama shorelines. This 16-mile barrier island is celebrated for its pristine, sugar-white sand and emerald Gulf waters. With nearly 60% of the island preserved as state and federal parks, it offers a serene coastal escape. A self-proclaimed foodie, I didn't know what to expect as far as restaurants were concerned, but I was pleasantly surprised. We took a drive to Downtown Pensacola one evening to check out Restaurant Iron. The food was scrumptious. We started with a unique escargot dish with housemade gnocchi and a duck salad special. Kirk ordered a New Orleans inspired catfish, and I opted for the chicken breast stuffed with boursin cheese, also with the house gnocchi. Dessert didn't disappoint - housemade pear sorbet and coconut mousse. A bonus: I ordered a cocktail benefiting Autism Pensacola. Another favorite was Cobalt (Orange Beach, AL, just 3 miles west of our Airbnb), which had a comfortable and welcoming outdoor area with live music - a great place to wait for a table. The fish was super fresh, and the tuna avocado stack was to die for! Also on the Alabama side, readers should check out the restaurant at Zeke's Landing and Marina if in the area. The weather cooperated, too. Low 80s and lots of sunshine. Yay for us! |
April 24, 2026
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Slideshow Photo Credits: Myrna and Elisa Pritzker
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Highland, New York:
It was a pleasure visiting Elisa Pritzker's studio for the second time. In late 2017, I visited her studio to interview her for her 2018 feature in Sanctuary. She has been prolifically creating unique works as well as curating shows, traveling, and mentoring other artists. She allowed me to choose a work to be donated as a giveaway at Sanctuary's 10th Anniversary Celebration. Elisa is known throughout the regional community and elsewhere as a selfless and gifted artist with a passion for giving back and strengthening the arts community through networking and mentorship. Elisa is an Argentinian American artist working in two and three-dimensional art and installations. She is also an independent curator and art columnist. Among a long list of art spaces, she has exhibited at MoMA, Queens Museum, Skirball Museum–Jerusalem, Dorsky Museum, Espronceda–Barcelona, K-Salon–Berlin, Rockefeller Center in New York City, the United Nations in New York, the Jerusalem Biennale, the Iceland Biennale, ArtsWestchester, Yale University, and Museo Castagnino, participating in both large and small group exhibitions. She was selected as the U.S. artist representative for the environmental project The Pyramids of Naxos at the 2004 Greece Olympics. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and grants. Her art is in permanent collections throughout the globe. Interested readers can CONTACT ELISA for a studio visit!
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March 3, 2026
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Slideshow Photos: Myrna Haskell
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New York, New York:
I had the opportunity to attend the Press Preview for The Whitney Biennial on a rainy day in Manhattan. Fortunately, I grabbed a small, folding umbrella on my way out the door — the rain never let up that day. The preview was packed, and I was grateful for the available coffee to warm me up as I dried off. I was excited to view this biennial which has been known for "contemplating the shifting currents of art in the United States" since the exhibition's inception in 1932. Scott Rothkopf, Alice Pratt Brown Director of the Whitney, started things off with introductions and some brief comments in the lobby. Next was a discussion moderated by Kim Conaty, Nancy and Steve Crown Family Chief Curator, with biennial curators Marcela Guerrero and Drew Sawyer. Both curators suggested we tune in with all of our senses, as the exhibition was not only visually stimulating, but sound and smells were also a big part of the sensory experience. The curators shared that the relational moods displayed on the 5th and 6th floors started to emerge as they spoke with the artists. As I browsed, I definitely connected with a few favorites, but readers will have to wait until our April Community Compass is published to hear about those. The show opened to the public on March 8. It's the eighty-second edition of The Whitney's landmark exhibition series, the longest running survey of American art. Stay tuned for more... |
January 28, 2026
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New York, New York:
F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel is a classic in American literature, so I was keen to see the musical that celebrates the novel and the "Roaring 20s" era. Here's my takeaway. Jeremy Jordan as Jay Gatsby could belt out a tune. His range and command of lyrics was wonderful. But it was the set design by Paul Tate dePOO III that wowed me. Winner of the Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Scenic Design (2024), the landscape was ever-changing, technically flawless, and larger-than-life. Even before the musical starts, the audience views the "green light" from Gatsby's perspective. Is the water moving? Is the light flickering? There is also a scene where the set changes constantly, mimicking a car driving through the streets. The gold tones and massive structures accentuate the opulence of Gatsby's parties and the era. Costumes were also beautifully designed by Linda Cho, who won the 2024 Tony for Best Costume Design in a Musical. Not a surprise because the glitzy and expertly detailed attire showcases the glamourous garb flappers once sported while flaunting the freedom to buck conservative garments...and attitudes. However, many critics pointed to the adaptation's lack of focus on the tragic circumstances of the age and Gatsby himself. Did it delve deeply enough into class distinction, moral decay, and the disillusionment of the American Dream? Perhaps not. But it's all about expectations, after all. And, I for one, didn't go to this play expecting to be blown away by the script. Musicals are meant to entertain. And isn't that what Gatsby did best — even if only for a moment in time? Perhaps the mere cursory acknowledgement of the "eyes" of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg and the lack of subtle complexities of Fitzgerald's characters actually hits the mark. Just maybe the script's superficiality can be seen as a statement of the era itself, characterized by fleeting desires and shallow goals. Just as Gatsby's guests were awed by the spectacle, so are we. Are we really looking for substance, or a good time? On this night, I was looking for the latter. Is it a "Top Five" for me? No. But I left smiling. |
December 9, 2025
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New York, New York:
Oh, the lights! Oh, the enthusiasm! Oh...the COLD! Yikes! It was frigid outside when my husband and I ventured to the city to see our son, Trevor, perform with the Googler Orchestra at Peter Norton Symphony Space. He's not just a cybersecurity expert working for Google...he's a tuba player! We used to call him "Tuba King" when he was in elementary school. This concert was presented in partnership with Concerts in Motion. Founded as a 501(c)(3) in 2009, this organization has been bringing live music to older adults, Holocaust Survivors, veterans, individuals with disabilities and memory loss, and those too frail or ill to leave home. The performance included Antonin Dvorak's "Selections From Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22 (1875)" and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade, Op. 35 (1888)" What a treat! It had been quite a few years since we saw him perform — almost ten years ago when he was still in college, as a matter of fact! First things first, though. Since we were headed down during the holiday season, we decided to take the train in early and drop by the Bryant Park Winter Village. I wound up purchasing a few things for loved ones, but we didn't partake in the many food options since we had reservations. Afterward, we headed uptown for a pre-concert dinner at Amelie Upper West Side. We needed to fill up on some delicious French food and WARM up, too! We dined on escargot, Camembert cheese with crusty French bread, French onion soup, duck confit, and coq au vin before heading back out into the cold for the concert. It was well worth it! We love live music, but especially when our son is performing! |
