Fourth Annual Artists’ Exhibition at The Players

Mystery and History of The Players Club

Mystery and history surround The Players Club at 16 Gramercy Park Avenue South, a National Historic Landmark once owned by the club’s founder, the well-respected Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth.

Only members may enter, and I am honored to share a glimpse of the 4th annual Artists’ Exhibition on display in The Hampden-Booth Theatre Library. Please join me as I reveal this private inner sanctum celebrating the arts in 2025 and beyond.

Here’s a quick tour of The Players:

 

 

 

 

 

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Highlights of the 4th Annual Artists’ Exhibition

This year’s show featured artwork by 23 members, including photography, oil on canvas, oil on linen, calligraphic metallic paint and gold leaf, and other mediums. Artists come from all walks of life and represent various ages and interests.

Featured Artists

Aida Garrity

The first artist of interest, Aida Garrity, submitted an oil painting titled Hydrangeas, Carnations, and Blue Bowl. She said the flowers evoked “a romantic and dramatic atmosphere, blending elegance and emotion.”

Garrity’s artistic journey began at age 5 when her mother took her every Saturday to paint with a children’s group. Ironically, she pursued a career in engineering, leaving behind her passion for the arts until 2006. She enrolled in the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and graduated with a Master of Fine Arts.

Besides her education, Garrity attended workshops with renowned artists such as Michael Shane Neal, whose artwork graces the walls at The Players, Daniel Gerhartz, and others. Inspired by her mother, Garrity has been influenced by such talent as John Singer Sargent, a friend of Edwin Booth, Diego Velazquez, and Rembrandt, to name a few.

When asked what inspires you, Garrity said, “Seeing the stunning paintings displayed in museums, particularly those that tell a compelling story.”

Garrity exhibits her work in national and international shows and is a member of the National Arts Club (NY) and Oil Painters of America (OPA). Upon viewing Hydrangeas, Carnations, and Blue Bowl, her oil painting awakens our soul to the beauty found in a simple flower arrangement.

Sonia O’Mara

The 3rd annual Artists’ Exhibition featured Sonia O’Mara. This year, she displayed an oil-on-linen depiction of the clubhouse entitled The Players.

O’Mara was inspired by her father, an artist, and painter, and her mother, an aspiring dancer. She wanted to be both an artist and an actor but chose the latter because she had more control over her self-expression and creativity. She is a member of The National Arts Club (NY) and enjoys celebrating creativity from all professions who strive to honor their fellow artists at The Players.

O’Mara shares her birthdate with Booth, the founder of the Players, so it is fitting that she painted an exterior view of the club with its famous gas lamps, which continue to light the way for all who enter this historic building. Even if you have walked by the building, the balcony, the lamps, and the club’s flag announce that this is a special place, and O’Mara shares her love through her exemplary painting.

Kevin Provost

Players member Kevin Provost chose a 16” x 24” print titled Ensenada Lookout, photographed in Mexico. Provost is an award-winning freelance cinematographer who was a camera operator on the PBS show Pati’s Mexican Table, where he worked in different regions of the country. When he wasn’t working with a television camera, he picked up his 35mm camera and photographed the world around him.

During COVID-19, Provost sorted through hundreds of photos he took in Mexico and self-published his book, Soledad. Surprisingly, he noticed similar themes and recurring images of isolation he had been unconsciously photographing for over five years.

Ensenada Lookout “shows the sea and sky meeting in an indistinguishable way,” Provost said. “You can’t tell where one meets the other, leaving a fading scenic lookout floating alone.”

Jack Rucker

Jack Rucker, the fourth artist in the limelight, proudly displayed his street photography print, Chinatown Street. On a beautiful day, he captured a vibrant and colorful scene in an alley of a densely populated neighborhood. Rucker stated, “The slight fisheye bringing in the young woman into focus inspired me. I love capturing everyday scenes in cities, especially NYC.”

Rucker grew up as a professional actor, but when his career shifted to technology and corporate America, he realized photography was his passion. He started photographing with his dad’s Canon 35mm film camera and then progressed to digital. Rucker said he “loves shooting on manual for better control and loves to bend the rules of color to his perspective.”

With its colorful lanterns, food tents lining the sidewalks, and people enjoying the favorable choices of Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Malaysian fare, Chinatown Street celebrates the joy of living in New York.

Honorable Mentions

Dana York

Honorable mention goes to member Dana York, who showed off her talents with calligraphic metallic paint, gold leaf, and ink in We the People Love.

“This piece is patriotic,” York said. “It was inspired by the Star-Spangled Banner surrounded by protective angels.”

Sarah Ann Rodgers and Michael Gerbino

Sarah Ann Rodgers, who displayed a photograph titled Blue-Footed Booby of the Galapagos, and Michael Gerbino, who shared his photograph of Club Billar Barcelona, curated the exhibition. Gerbino praised Rodgers’s untiring commitment to keeping The Players alive with tradition, pointing out that artwork shown around the entire club remains a permanent fixture.

Fourth annual Artists’ Exhibition at The Players

If you want to see what other surprises await you inside the brownstone at 16 Gramercy Park South, why not become a member? Perhaps we will see your artwork in the 5th Annual show.

The Players

16 Gramercy Park South
New York, NY 10003
Membership Information