A thoughtful international review of “Folk Nation”—the American Folk Art Museum’s small but deeply resonant exhibition—from the “Financial Times.” 📰 Moments like this reflect the AFAM’s growing global reach and the increasing international recognition of folk and self-taught art as vital forces.
This past Wednesday marked a milestone in the history of the American Folk Art Museum—an institution I am deeply proud to lead. Patrons, friends, artists, and supporters gathered at the Mandarin Oriental New York ballroom overlooking Central Park for a truly remarkable evening celebrating the Museum’s 65th anniversary.
We were honored to present the Audrey B. Heckler Visionary Award to artist vanessa german, and to celebrate Harvey Fierstein—Broadway icon, passionate advocate for self-taught art, and acclaimed quilter—as well as our outgoing Board President and dear friend, Elizabeth V. Warren, whose more than four decades of transformative leadership and dedication have helped shape the Museum into what it is today.
My deepest thanks to our extraordinary Trustees, attendees, supporters, and remarkable staff for making the evening so memorable. I look forward with great optimism to what the next 65 years will bring for the nation’s museum dedicated to folk and self-taught art.
“Self-Made” and “Folk Nation” are now open at AFAM! Two wonderful exhibitions that show the strength of our collection and why we are the Nation’s museum of folk and self-taught art.
Thank you to the many of you who joined us for the opening celebration—I think I got a picture with almost everyone in attendance! And congrats to our curatorial team of Emelie Gevalt, Valérie Rousseau, and Suzie Oppenheimer.
We look forward to welcoming you. Admission is always free.
Seems like old times to be back on the campus of my alma mater, Miami University. What an honor it is to serve as President of the Advisory Board for the College of Creative Arts with so many talented alumni. Looking forward to seeing these friends this week, and especially to meeting the next generation of creative leaders who are being educated at Miami!
I am incredibly proud to share a recording of the American Folk Art Museum’s official recognition by the New York State Assembly earlier this week. This honor celebrates 65 years as the Nation’s home for folk and self-taught artists and our recent designation as the #1 Best Art Museum by Newsweek readers.
Our visit to Albany was not just a celebration; it was also an opportunity to advance the Museum’s work. My team and I met with elected officials throughout the Capitol to highlight AFAM’s impact, advocate for continued support, and strengthen relationships essential to our future. Swipe through to see some of the officials we connected with:
1 - Assembly Member Tony Simone (@tonywsimone ) recognizing AFAM on the Assembly floor
2 - Our recently-elected State Senator Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher )
3 - Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal (@lindabrosenthal_67 ) of the Upper West Side
4 - Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright (@seawrightforny ) of the Upper East Side and Assembly Member Ron Kim (@rk4ny ) of Queens
5 - Pictured with AM Simone
6 - State Senator Kristen Gonzalez (@sengonzalezny ) of Queens
7-10 - My incredible team and I enjoying the day
Of all these images, my favorite is the group shot on the “Million Dollar Staircase” in the Capitol building. Our smiles capture the pride and excitement we feel in the Nation’s Museum of Folk and Self-Taught Art.
We can’t contain our excitement for the American Folk Art Museum to be recognized by the New York State Assembly as the #1 Best Art Museum in the Nation by the Readers of Newsweek!! What a moment of pride for all New Yorkers!
I’m celebrating here with Deputy Director Emelie Gevalt and Chief Advancement Officer Nick Cohn!
Director of Communications and Audience Development Mitch Case has provided exceptional materials on the Museum for our legislators. And Development Associate Ron Miller has beautifully orchestrated this entire event ~ thank you Ron!
The beautiful State Capital in Albany. Another reason why I ❤️NY!
I’m on my way back from a whirlwind trip to Bentonville, Arkansas, for the opening of “America 250: Common Threads,” an exhibition the American Folk Art Museum has partnered on with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It was exhilarating to see so many works from AFAM’s collection included in this thoughtful presentation exploring American art and civic participation.
A few highlights:
1 - Pictured with dedicated AFAM patrons Becky and Bob Alexander, and collector, philanthropist, and founder of Crystal Bridges Alice Walton.
2 - Curator Larissa Randall and Crystal Bridges Director Rod Bigelow delivering opening remarks.
3 - A sculptural work by contemporary self-taught artist vanessa german, pictured alongside AFAM’s “Flag Gate.” vanessa will be honored at our May Gala with the Audrey B. Heckler Visionary Award.
4-10 - Works from AFAM’s collection.
11-14 - A mix of works from the collections of AFAM and Crystal Bridges.
Grateful to our partners at Crystal Bridges for bringing this project to life and for such a warm welcome in Bentonville.
Please join me on Wednesday, May 6 at the glamorous Mandarin Oriental in NYC to celebrate the American Folk Art Museum. ✨ We will be marking our milestone 65th year as the nation’s home for folk and self-taught artists–and the 250th anniversary of the United States. 🥂
The evening promises to be extraordinary as we honor a vibrant slate of visionaries, including contemporary self-taught artist vanessa german (@vanessalgerman ); Broadway icon and talented quilter Harvey Fierstein (@theharveyfierstein ); and Elizabeth V. Warren, folk art scholar, curator, collector, our outgoing Board President, and a dear friend of mine, for her forty-plus years of transformative leadership.
By joining us, you are directly funding our 2026 exhibition series, including “Self-Made,” “Folk Nation,” and “Locating Girlhood.” Most importantly, you help us keep the Museum free for over 60,000 visitors every year.
Support the museum that "Newsweek" readers have recognized as the best in the country. 🎟 To purchase a table or ticket, please go to us.givergy.com/AFAMGala2026 or reach out to me directly!
Not able to be there in person? You can still contribute with a gift made through the link above or by contacting [email protected].
AFAM is City Guide’s “Museum of the Week!” Visit us for the second-to-last weekend of “An Ecology of Quilts” and “Blue Magic,” a special program happening this Saturday, February 21. Admission is always free.
My world right now! As a boy from Cleveland, I love snow. And it really feels like I’m back in Ohio after a snowstorm.
Central Park in the winter, another reason why I ❤️ NY!
What a wonderful memory of the opening of The Winter Show this week with two extraordinary colleagues, Emelie Gevalt of the American Folk Art Museum (to my right) and Lauren Brunk of Brunk Auctions.
Congratulations to Helen Allen and her team for organizing such a wonderful art fair that benefits the East Side House Settlement. It is a personal honor to be of service to the event as Coordinator of the Post War and Contemporary Decorative Arts and Design Vetting Committee.
The Winter Show is on view through February 1st. Please go to see and to be inspired!
Celebrate good times! Hard to believe it was 12 years ago today that Duane and I got married…after 13 years of living and working in different cites all over the country. Every year with my soulmate has brought love, adventure, and so many laughs.
We’re celebrating at home in New York after a trip to enchanting Morocco. The kindest people, the most delicious food, and the extraordinary museums and sites from Fes to Tangier to Rabat to Casablanca to Marrakech. Feeling very fortunate to have experienced this magical country.
