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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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! |
