This week, a coterie of leading art world players gathered for the Winter Show’s preview cocktail at Galerie Gmurzynska. The annual art and design fair benefits the education and community nonprofit East Side House Settlement. On Wednesday, Executive Director Helen Allen Smith and East Side House Settlement Executive Director Daniel Diaz offered an exclusive first look at the new exhibitors and plans for its upcoming 72nd edition.
The Occasion: A polished reception drawing collectors, exhibitors, and fair devotees to celebrate the Winter Show’s return, building anticipation for its Jan. 23 opening at the Park Avenue Armory, where dealers will soon take over the drill hall for a limited run.
The Locale: At the corner of Madison Avenue, the brightly-illuminated Galerie Gmurzynska held court, welcoming guests against the backdrop of late artist Wifredo Lam’s oeuvre—his work can also currently be found on-view at the Museum of Modern Art in the show “When I Don’t Sleep, I Dream.”
The Crowd: Among those in the room were art dealers Debra Force, Sara Blumberg, Eleanor Flatow, Jill Newhouse, Lawrence Steigrad, Ben Houston, and Erik Thomsen; patrons Alexandra Stanton, Lucinda Ballard, Eric Viner, Isiah Magsino, and William Fralish; designers Brad Thornton and Elizabeth Lawrence; and architect John B. Murray.
What You Missed: Warm remarks from Diaz, who highlighted the impact of the Winter Show on East Side House Settlement’s annual programming. Special moments coming up at the fair were also explored, including “The Discerning Eye: Study of a Young Collector,” an showing that will visualize the study of an imaginary collector—their taste and persuasions—curated by writer Patrick Monahan and Smith.
The Winter Show will return to the Park Avenue Armory from Jan. 23 through Feb. 1, 2026, with more information available at thewintershow.org.
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