NEW YORK, NY- June 23, 2012– Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) in collaboration with NEXT Gallery continues its exciting and innovative exhibit of a talented and bold group of American photographers in Cuba entitled “I Dream Awake” by José Martí.  The exhibit ends August 2, 2012 and features photography through the eyes of 13 American photographers and their experiences throughout their travel in Cuba.

“MCNY is extremely honored and privileged to host this exhibit along with the NEXT Gallery in maintaining our tradition of supporting highly motivated learners which this group of talented artists portrays and upholds through their work,” said Dr. Vinton Thompson, president, Metropolitan College of New York.

The exhibit by NEXT Gallery at Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) features the photographic work of American photographers in Cuba including Ellie Bettle, Joan Lobis Brown, Sharon Burde, Giselle Chamma, Fran Eber, Richard Eber, Adele Epstein, Patricia Gilman, Linda Roche, Janet Rogers, Catherine Steinmann, Nitsan Tal, and Joan Tedeshi.

I Dream Awake

Poem by José  Marti

Day and night
I always dream with open eyes
And on top of the foaming waves
Of the wide turbulent sea,
And on the rolling
Desert sands,
And merrily riding on the gentle neck
Of a mighty lion,
Monarch of my heart,
I always see a floating child
Who is calling me!

Dream Awake Photographers Bios

History of NEXT Art Gallery @ MCNY:

Art Gallery was founded in the Fall Semester of 2001, by the Arts Administration students of the MBA in Media Management Program offered at Metropolitan College of New York for whom designing a gallery space and mounting an exhibition was a class project.

NEXT Art Gallery was an immediate success. Students, Faculty, Administration, and members from the surrounding communities were both excited by and appreciative of the works shown. It was decided that NEXT Art Gallery would become a permanent feature of the Institution.

Goals and Objectives

  • To encourage the development of traditional and experimental art forms in all mediums.
  • To support and promote emerging and under-represented artists of all ages and all ethnicities by offering them a central venue in Soho, an internationally renowned art center, to show their work.
  • To educate and develop audiences by having innovative art shows and show-related events.
  • To train future art and cultural industry administrators.

MCNY has one of the only MBA programs in the nation devoted to both media and arts management. In addition, we also offer the only Culture and Commerce Master’s degree in the nation. Students in the Media, Theatre, and Arts Administration courses are able to develop and promote exhibitions and events in a real world setting as part of their training.

Learn More about the MCNY MBA in Media Management Program.