Appreciation for Art

BMCC’s newest building, The Miles and Shirley Fiterman Hall, located at 245 Greenwich Street in Tribeca, houses classes, lounges, a spiral staircase, and now, a spacious art center.

On Tuesday, June 16, The Shirley Fiterman Art Center—named in honor of building donor Shirley Fiterman, a lifelong art enthusiast—celebrated its very first exhibition with a cocktail reception and a meet-and-greet with the artist, BMCC Professor Emeritus Marion Moise Lauterstein.

Lauterstein’s creative exhibition, called Playing with Color, will remain on display at the art center until September 14, 2013.

Lauterstein—a former BMCC finance professor—has created close to 2,000 digital images over the years, and 106 works have been donated to BMCC for the exhibition.

Each colorful and unique piece of art on display is available for purchase, with proceeds going to help fund scholarships for BMCC students.

Meet-and-greet

At the intimate and inviting cocktail reception, approximately 100 guests viewed the artwork on display in two rooms, and a walkway, and had the opportunity to meet Lauterstein, who divides his time between his native Texas and New York City.

Lauterstein was impressed with Fiterman Hall and said he never thought his artwork would be displayed in a gallery—especially back at the place where he taught for more than 40 years.

“This—art—was something I created on the side,” says Lauterstein, whose favorite Manhattan art museums are The Frick and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

BMCC’s President Dr. Antonio Pérez, spoke about Lauterstein at the cocktail reception.

“The art you are seeing has been done by one of our own, since retired, faculty members,” said Pérez. “We’ve developed a kinship since we’re both knowledgeable about art.”

Those in attendance at the reception received a free poster with an image depicting Lauterstein’s “Fire and Ice” image.

“It’s a gift from us, to you,” said Pérez.

Students stopped in

BMCC Professor Michelle Wang brought her 17 Career Planning (CED 201) students to the exhibition.

“Everyone interprets art in different ways,” she explained to the class. “Art can trigger and encourage a self-discovery and a self-awareness. Just like the colors in their images, I want students to know life experiences go through many colors, and so on. I want them to connect art into their everyday lives. Art is a very effective medium and perhaps some of this artwork can help them identify something within themselves.

Accounting major Suzanna Dasilva enjoyed Lauterstein’s exhibition.

“It’s wonderful that BMCC has a free art center for students to enjoy. Not many community colleges have something like this,” she said. “Some students are just so focused on their education they don’t take a minute to learn about non-classroom opportunities BMCC has to offer. Being here at the art center is eye-opening, it’s a nice extension of the college. More classes should come here.”

Artist Bio

Marion Moise Lauterstein was born in the small town of La Grange, Texas in 1936. He received degrees in finance from the University of Texas and from New York University. Professor Lauterstein has taught finance at New York University and at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). He retired after teaching for 43 years at BMCC and is now Professor Emeritus.

Although he never took courses in art, Professor Lauterstein became very interested in art after finishing graduate school. He regularly attended the most important New York gallery and museum shows over the past 50 years. He has also traveled extensively and has visited the world’s great art museums.

The 106 works in this exhibition have been donated to BMCC for its collection. The works in this show are artist’s proofs that have been printed on Sunset Textured Fine Art paper with a 3 inch core.