FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT:
Heidi Riegler
Director Marketing and Communications
212.369.4880, x 214
hriegler@nationalacademy.org
NATIONAL ACADEMY JOINS FORCES WITH CIVITAS TO LAUNCH
NEW DISCUSSION SERIES, ART, DESIGN AND THE URBAN
ENVIRONMENT
TOPICS INCLUDE THE EAST RIVER ESPLANADE,
EAST HARLEM REZONING AND SECOND AVENUE SUBWAY
With Gregg Pasquarelli, SHoP Architects, Karrie Jacobs, Metropolis,
Sandra Bloodworth, MTA Arts for Transit; Cecilia Alemani, High Line
Art; Al Appleton, former Commissioner, NYC Department of
Environmental Protection, and many others
Series begins October 2 at National Academy
New York, NY (September 4, 2013) -- The National Academy will host a new discussion series
on urban planning in association with CIVITAS. Starting in October 2013, Art, Design and the
Urban Environment will address urban development projects in the Upper East Side and East
Harlem communities, including the East River Esplanade, the East Harlem Rezoning and the
Second Avenue Subway.
“We are thrilled to bringing together artists, architects and urban planners with city agencies and
grassroots organizations to discuss city developments that directly impact our immediate
neighborhood,” states Carmine Branagan, Director, National Academy. “To work together with
CIVITAS is a great opportunity for the Academy to engage with our community.”
“Since its founding CIVITAS has worked to improve the quality of urban life on the Upper East
Side and in East Harlem. Presenting topics related to local issues, we hope that this new series
will also spur conversations that address concerns facing the New York community at large,”
states Genie Rice, CIVITAS Chairman. “By bringing together experts from various fields with
city agencies, we hope to stimulate interdisciplinary dialogues that will explore these important
issues from various angles.”
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The first panel, Water and the East River Esplanade, Wednesday, October 2, 6:30 PM,
moderated by National Academician Gregg Pasquarelli of SHoP Architects, examines the
development plan for the East River Esplanade, an urban waterfront stretching from 63rd to
125th Street. It is large public space plagued by maintenance problems that could serve a major
recreational and environmental need for East Harlem and the Upper East Side neighborhoods.
Speakers are Cecilia Alemani, Donald R. Mullen, Jr. Curator & Director, High Line Art; Al
Appleton, former Commissioner, New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection and
former Director, New York City Water and Sewer System, Michael Marrella, Director,
Waterfront and Open Space, New York City Department of City Planning and Charles
Birnbaum, Founder and President of The Cultural Landscape Foundation.
The second panel, Urban Revitalization and East Harlem Rezoning, Wednesday, December 4,
2013, 6:30 PM, moderated by Karrie Jacobs, Contributing Editor, Metropolis; founding editorin-chief, Dwell, focuses on urban revitalization through the lens of East Harlem rezoning and
updated land use policies. The panel will look at the zoning that is currently underway (Madison
to Lexington, 115th to 132nd), and the renovation of former P.S.109 into affordable live and
work space for artists, and the transformation of La Marqueta, a marketplace under the Metro
North railway tracks between 111th and 116th Streets.
Panelists are LaShawn Henry, Chairperson, Land Use, Landmarks & Planning Committee,
Community Board 11; Peggy Shepard, Co-founder and Executive Director, WE ACT for
Environmental Justice and Gus Rosado, Executive Director, El Barrio’s Operation Fightback
During the third panel, Transportation and the Second Avenue Subway, Wednesday, January 8,
2014, 6:30 PM, Sandra Bloodworth, Director, MTA Arts for Transit will discuss the construction
and transportation infrastructure of the Second Avenue Subway. Additional panelists tbd.
All talks presented as part of Art, Design and the Urban Environment take place at the National
Academy Museum, 1083 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street. Tickets are: $15, seniors and students:
$10. National Academicians, CIVITAS & Academy members and students: Free.
For tickets, visit www.nationalacademy.org, or call 212.369.4880 x 201
ABOUT THE NATIONAL ACADEMY
The National Academy is one of the country’s oldest art organizations, founded in 1825 by
artists Samuel F. B. Morse, Thomas Cole, and Asher B. Durand as a place to exhibit and teach
art. It is the only institution of its kind in America that integrates a museum, art school, and
association of artists and architects.
The Academy’s collection includes over 7,000 works from artist members, representing two
centuries of innovative ideas and approaches to American art and architecture, showcasing
exceptional art from the Hudson River School to contemporary works.
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The National Academy School has included students such as Winslow Homer, George Inness,
Arshile Gorky, and Willem de Kooning. The Academy School offers studio-based study in an
intimate, creative environment under the mentorship of working faculty artists, which support the
artistic journey of each student.
The National Academy is located on Museum Mile in the former Huntington Mansion on Fifth
Avenue.
The National Academy Museum & School is grateful to the following for their generous support
of our operations: The Bodman Foundation, The Bonnie Cashin Fund, in honor of Henry W.
Grady, the Alex J. Ettl Foundation, the F. Donald Kenney Exhibition Fund, The Estate of
Geoffrey Wagner in memory of Colleen Browning, NA, The Reed Foundation, Inc. and public
funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
ABOUT CIVITAS
CIVITAS is a non-profit organization working for quality in urban life on the Upper East Side and
in East Harlem. Since 1981, CIVITAS has worked to improve the urban environment,
advocating for better land use, zoning and urban transportation, clean air and water, and an
improved waterfront. For more information, visit www.civitasnyc.org.
CIVITAS is grateful to the following for their generous support of our operations: Lily
Auchincloss Foundation, Helen Clay Frick Foundation, and J.M. Kaplan Fund, and to our many
members and supporters.
NATIONAL ACADEMY MUSEUM
1083 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street
Admission: Adults: $15; Seniors (65+) and students with valid ID: $10,
Children under 12, members, and students of the National Academy School: free
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PRESS CONTACT:
Heidi Riegler, Director Marketing and Communications
National Academy Museum and School
212.369.4880, x 214
hriegler@nationalacademy.org