Fall Foliage

Hoping to enjoy the natural beauty of the season, we wandered through Central Park and caught the New York  foliage at its peak. The vibrant tapestry of yellows, reds, and greens reminded us how important it is to appreciate each season’s character while it lasts. As we moved along the park’s iconic pathways, we found ourselves pausing often to hear the gentle rustle of leaves and watch the late-afternoon sun filter through the branches. Our walk carried us past the historic fields and trees scattered throughout the park, set against the striking contrast of the city’s modern skyline. Even in a place as energetic as New York, moments like these create a sense of calm that feels like a gift. This quiet glimpse of the season encouraged us to slow down, look closely, and savor the peaceful shift from fall into winter.

The Chancery Rosewood

Standing in front of this familiar facade felt like stepping back into another chapter of my life. For years, to those of us involved with US visa applications, this was the spot for early mornings, visa interview nerves, clients clutching documents, and long lines curling around Grosvenor Square. This used to be the Embassy of the United States in London. Today it is a luxury hotel, the Chancery Rosewood, where guests stroll in for coffee and people chat along the in front of the iconic Eero Saarinen façade where anxious visa applicants once waited. The energy has shifted completely, yet that eagle still watches from above as if remembering every student, artist, entrepreneur, and family who stood under its gaze on their way to a new chapter in the United States.

"First Sun" by Monira Al Qadiri

While still adjusting to the weekend’s time change and in search of as much sunlight as we can gather, we wandered through New York’s Central Park in search of “First Sun”, a stunning aluminum sculpture by Senegalese artist Monira Al Qadiri. Positioned at the park’s southeast corner, the piece greets visitors with a mesmerizing play of color and light.

“First Sun” reimagines Khepri, the ancient Egyptian god of the rising sun, denoted by the deity’s scarab face, cast in shimmering purples and blues that shift with the sunlight. The sculpture’s reflective surface and ever-changing hues engage the viewer in a dynamic dialogue with the piece and the natural world  which surrounds it.

Al Qadiri’s choice of location is extremely intentional. The sculpture serves as a symbolic gateway to one of New York’s most beloved green spaces, encouraging visitors to reflect on the transition from the stylized cityscape to the wild of the park. “First Sun” invites us to pause, reconnect with nature, and appreciate the balance between humans and the humble creatures that share our world.

Happy Halloween!

The spooky season has arrived, and as we prepare for a night of tricks and treats we’re excited to share some of the impressive Halloween decorations we’ve spotted this October. Our festive adventures took us from New York City to Miami, East Hampton, and Washington D.C., where we discovered everything from haunted stoops and glowing ghosts to intricately carved pumpkins that truly capture the Halloween spirit.

Across every neighborhood, with porches adorned with pumpkins, cobwebs, spectacular skeletal animatronics, and plenty of spooky surprises. It’s been a delight to see how communities have embraced the holiday with such enthusiasm and imagination.

Wishing everyone a safe and spectacular Halloween night filled with candy, costumes, and a few fun scares. We will see you in November when we return to our regularly scheduled program of public art!