This special all-day Alumni-focused event hosted by AANYAA at the Academy celebrates our alumni community, strengthens our connections and careers.

WEEKEND EVENTS

ADD MAY 8 TO CALENDAR

AANYAA ALUMNI
DAY

MAY 9

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ADD MAY 10 TO CALENDAR

SCHEDULE: MAY 9, 2026

10:30a - Academy Lobby

SIGN UP for appointment with Critic, Curator, or Gallerist

SIGN UP for printmaking

10:30a - 5th Floor

MEET & GREET and Brunch Bites

11:00a - 3:00p - 3rd Floor

PRINTMAKING

Some supplies provided (for linocuts, monotypes); you may bring your own supplies; LIMITED 9"x12" paper sample packs have been donated by LEGION.

11:00a - 3:00p - 5th Floor

LIFE DRAWING

Bring your favorite drawing, sculpting, or painting supplies. There will be models in 2 drawing rooms.

12:00 - 2:00p - 5th Floor

MEET WITH A CRITIC, CURATOR, OR GALLERIST

Sign Up to MEET WITH A CRITIC, CURATOR OR GALLERIST will begin at 10:30 on the day of the event in the Academy Lobby (please note that your online registration for AANYAA DAY does NOT guarantee a slot with a Critic, Curator, or Gallerist).
There are a limited number of appointment slots: sign-ups are first-come, first-served on the day of the event for Academy Alumni only. We cannot guarantee a spot (but don't worry- there are more crit events throughout the year!)
Alumni will have 12 minutes for their conversation
We recommend that you present your work in the most efficient way possible. The Alumni Association nor The New York Academy will not provide any computers, tablets, or other electronic devices for displaying your art. Please bring your own device. We advise avoiding the use of your phone for displaying artwork because of its limited size. You may choose to bring your original work, but individual pieces should not exceed 18” x 24” inches in size. Any original art cannot be stored at the Academy; neither the Alumni Association nor the New York Academy of Art will be held liable for any loss or damage to electronic devices or physical works.

MADELINE CORNELL

Morgan Presents

Madeline Cornell is the Sales Director at Morgan Presents. Madeline has a deep expertise in the acquisition and placement of contemporary and 20th-century artworks, along with a deep commitment to supporting artists and collectors alike. Prior to joining Morgan Presents, Madeline served as Director at Winston Wächter Fine Art. In addition to cultivating the gallery’s artist program, she also oversaw secondary market placements from Impressionist to Blue-chip Contemporary artists. Madeline’s previous experience includes serving as Photographs Specialist at Artnet Auctions and Assistant Director at Robert Mann Gallery, with earlier roles at James Cohan and the New Museum of Contemporary Art. She holds a Master’s degree in Visual Arts Administration from New York University and a B.A. in Art History from the University of Oregon.

LESLIE WEISSMAN

Curator, Art Advisor

Leslie Weissman is an artist, curator, and art advisor with a dynamic career spanning both the creative and business sides of the art world. As the founder and director of Loft Projects NY, she has curated exhibitions across New York, championing underrepresented artists and fostering connections between collectors, galleries, and institutions. With a background in interactive art and marketing, Leslie has held leadership roles in major corporations, launched pioneering internet initiatives, and worked as a consultant in technology and media. She is also deeply engaged in arts education, advising collectors, and supporting museum boards and residencies, including Fountainhead Residency and the Ogunquit Museum.

PAUL EFSTATHIOU

Hollis Taggart

Paul Efstathiou is the Director at Hollis Taggart Downtown in New York City. Efstathiou is a second-generation NYC art dealer and curator with 20 plus years of experience. Efstathiou has developed a well-trained and prescient eye, making him a successful dealer and curator of contemporary art. Paul is on the board of directors at the MoCA Museum in Westprot, CT. He has worked closely with 80 plus emerging and contemporary artists to date. Efstathiou is based both in New York City and Connecticut. He currently resides in Southport, CT.

CHARLOTTE GRÜSSING

The Hole

Charlotte Grüssing is a curator and gallerist based in New York. She is currently a Director at The Hole and is the founder and curator of Tombolo’s artist residency program. Prior to this, she ran The Other Art Fair in Brooklyn and Chicago, following her early work in programming at the Hood Museum of Art in Hanover, New Hamphsire and with The Royal British Society of Sculptors in London, England. She has curated numerous exhibitions at galleries, with themes ranging from textile arts (Thread Count) to Title IX and The Politics of Pink at The Hood Museum of Art. Originally from London, she holds a degree in Art and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies from Dartmouth College.

ELENA PLATONOVA

Plato Gallery

Elena Platonova founded PLATO with the goal of cultivating intercultural dialogue. The contemporary art gallery in Downtown Manhattan mainly focuses on the work of artists with diverse cultural, ethnic and national backgrounds. Before founding PLATO, Elena worked as a director for Almine Rech, the Hole, and Sundaram Tagore galleries, among others, collaborating with leading names in contemporary art from across the globe. She has appraised art and run a museum tour and collecting advisory. Elena received her BA with honors from Lomonosov Moscow State University and her MA with distinction in the history of art from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. Elena has lived in the US, Europe and Eurasia. She speaks six languages and has written for multiple art publications.

3:00p - 2nd, 3rd, 4th Floor STUDIOS

TOURS of Studios and Thesis ExhibitionSee the studios and Thesis Exhibition, and welcome the new graduates into our Alumni community!

3:00p - 1st Floor CAFE

REFRESHMENTS

We will convene at the Cafe on the 1st Floor to enjoy the traditional treat of New York pizza and soda.

3:30p - Cast Hall
WELCOME
Meet your Alumni Association TeamNYAA Provost, Peter Drake

4:00-5:00p - Cast Hall
PANEL CONVERSATION
"Outside the White Cube: Other Ways to Be Seen"
Featuring panelists Scott Drucks, Isabelle George, Gavin Kennedy; moderated by Lisa Lebofsky

For those who can't attend in person, we invite you to tune in to the conversation, broadcast on Instagram LIVE at 4pm (16:00) EST

GAVIN KENNEDY

Founder, Emergent Art Advisory

Gavin Kennedy is a Boston- and Provincetown-based brand consultant, art collector, and arts patron. He serves as trustee and executive committee member at the Fine Arts Work Center and co-chair of the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Advisory Board, in Boston, where he supports the next generation of artists and helps shape the contemporary art landscape. A longtime brand leader and storyteller with 25+ years of experience growing global brands at P&G, Dunkin’, and Campbell’s, Gavin has applied this expertise to the art world as founder of Emergent Art Advisory, a boutique firm that helps individual collectors and corporate clients navigate the evolving art market. The firm builds enduring collections that reflect both passion and investment goals, offering personalized guidance at every stage—from launching to expanding and managing collections with confidence and creativity.

ISABELLE GEORGE

Director of Curation & Business Development at ATP.art

Isabelle George has over a decade of experience in the international art and luxury markets. As the former Director at a leading New York City gallery, she championed emerging artists by developing their practices, enhancing their visibility, and creating sustainable income streams through strategic exhibitions and partnerships. Now at ATP.art, Isabelle leads the curation and delivery of art services for commercial clients, shaping collections and experiences across hospitality, multifamily, office, and mixed-use environments. She has curated and managed numerous hospitality collaborations with The Pierre Hotel and the Arlo in New York City, designed to elevate artist exposure and create impactful, site-specific experiences. With an extensive history in facilitating private and corporate acquisitions across the Post-War, Contemporary, and Emerging art markets, Isabelle has cultivated a reputation for her keen curatorial eye, strategic market insight, and ability to connect collectors with exceptional works that align with their aesthetic and investment goals.

SCOTT DRUCKS

Founder, Forrest Scott Group

Scott Drucks has been a trusted art advisor to both corporate and private clients since 1988. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Scott began his career as a gallery director, where he spent eight years refining his curatorial expertise and building a deep understanding of the global art market. This foundation continues to enable him to guide clients with both aesthetic insight and market knowledge. His firm currently represents artists from around the world and leads projects across the US, as well as internationally throughout Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Projects range from 5,000 square feet to more than 1,000,000 square feet, including organizations such as Apollo Global Management, Barclays and FINRA.

5:30p: The event ends at the Academy, but you can keep the party going elsewhere!
Icons courtesy flaticons.com

Register for 2026 AANYAA Day by May 7, 2026 and create your portfolio page on AANYAA.org for a chance to win one of four $25 gift certificates to Blick Art Materials.

To qualify for this drawing, you must:

Register for Alumni Day by May 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM, and
Have an active portfolio on AANYAA.org with at least one primary image uploaded.

Important: Gift certificates will be available for pickup only at the Alumni Day panel on May 9, 2026 starting at 4:00 PM at the New York Academy of Art, 111 Franklin Street, New York, NY.

AANYAA extends its sincere thanks to Blick Art Materials for their generous support of 2026 AANYAA Day.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We need help with: Setting up and timing the models, moving tables around, tear down and clean up at the end and middle of the day, and any incidentals.

If possible, we ask that you arrive at 9am (or at least before 10am), and stick around a little after (possibly until 6). A full day is not required, any amount of help is appreciated!

Please email us to volunteer.

See pictures from AANYAA Day 2024

This special all-day Alumni-focused event hosted by AANYAA at the Academy celebrates our alumni community, strengthens our connections and careers.

WEEKEND EVENTS

MEET
at the MET

MAY 8

AANYAA ALUMNI
DAY

MAY 9

PICNIC
&
PAINT

MAY 10

SCHEDULE: MAY 9, 2026

10:30a - Academy Lobby

SIGN UP for appointment with Critic, Curator, or Gallerist

SIGN UP for printmaking

10:30a - 5th Floor

MEET & GREET and Brunch Bites

11:00a - 3:00p - 3rd Floor

PRINTMAKING

Some supplies provided (for linocuts, monotypes); you may bring your own supplies; LIMITED 9"x12" paper sample packs have been donated by LEGION.

11:00a - 3:00p - 5th Floor

LIFE DRAWING

Bring your favorite drawing, sculpting, or painting supplies. There will be models in 2 drawing rooms.

12:00 - 2:00p - 5th Floor

MEET WITH A CRITIC, CURATOR, OR GALLERIST

MADELINE CORNELL

LESLIE WEISSMAN

PAUL EFSTATHIOU

CHARLOTTE GRÜSSING

ELENA PLATONOVA

3:00p - 2nd, 3rd, 4th Floor STUDIOS

TOURS of Studios and Thesis ExhibitionSee the studios and Thesis Exhibition, and welcome the new graduates into our Alumni community!

3:00p - 1st Floor CAFE

REFRESHMENTS

We will convene at the Cafe on the 1st Floor to enjoy the traditional treat of New York pizza and soda.

3:30p - Cast Hall
WELCOME
Meet your Alumni Association TeamNYAA Provost, Peter Drake

5:30p: The event ends at the Academy, but you can keep the party going elsewhere!
Icons courtesy flaticons.com

Register for 2026 AANYAA Day by May 7, 2026 and create your portfolio page on AANYAA.org for a chance to win one of four $25 gift certificates to Blick Art Materials.

This special all-day Alumni-focused event hosted by AANYAA at the Academy celebrates our alumni community, strengthens our connections and careers.

​​​ WEEKEND EVENTS ​​

MEET at the MET

MAY 8

AANYAA ALUMNI DAY

MAY 9

PICNIC & PAINT

MAY 10

​​​ SCHEDULE: MAY 9, 2026 ​​

10:30a - Academy Lobby

SIGN UP for appointment with Critic, Curator, or Gallerist

SIGN UP for printmaking​

​

​​10:30a - 5th Floor

MEET & GREET and Brunch Bites

​​​

​11:00a - 3:00p - 3rd Floor

PRINTMAKING

Some supplies provided (for linocuts, monotypes); you may bring your own supplies; LIMITED 9"x12" paper sample packs have been donated by LEGION. ​​

​

​11:00a - 3:00p - 5th Floor

LIFE DRAWING

Bring your favorite drawing, sculpting, or painting supplies. There will be models in 2 drawing rooms.

​​​

​​​

12:00 - 2:00p - 5th Floor

MEET WITH A CRITIC, CURATOR, OR GALLERIST

​​

MADELINE CORNELL

LESLIE WEISSMAN

PAUL EFSTATHIOU

CHARLOTTE GRÜSSING

ELENA PLATONOVA

3:00p - 2nd, 3rd, 4th Floor STUDIOS

TOURS of Studios and Thesis ExhibitionSee the studios and Thesis Exhibition, and welcome the new graduates into our Alumni community!

​

3:00p - 1st Floor CAFE

REFRESHMENTS

We will convene at the Cafe on the 1st Floor to enjoy the traditional treat of New York pizza and soda.

​

3:30p - Cast Hall WELCOME Meet your Alumni Association TeamNYAA Provost, Peter Drake

5:30p: The event ends at the Academy, but you can keep the party going elsewhere! Icons courtesy flaticons.com ​

​

Register for 2026 AANYAA Day by May 7, 2026 and create your portfolio page on AANYAA.org for a chance to win one of four $25 gift certificates to Blick Art Materials.

​

​

WEEKEND EVENTS

MEET
at the MET

AANYAA ALUMNI
DAY

PICNIC
&
PAINT

SCHEDULE: MAY 9, 2026

SIGN UP for printmaking

10:30a - 5th Floor

11:00a - 3:00p - 3rd Floor

Some supplies provided (for linocuts, monotypes); you may bring your own supplies; LIMITED 9"x12" paper sample packs have been donated by LEGION.

11:00a - 3:00p - 5th Floor

3:30p - Cast Hall
WELCOME
Meet your Alumni Association TeamNYAA Provost, Peter Drake

5:30p: The event ends at the Academy, but you can keep the party going elsewhere!
Icons courtesy flaticons.com