Discover the Latest Exhibitions at the Museum of Arts and Design

Lincoln Square continues to be a vibrant hub for arts and culture, with the Museum of Arts and Design (2 Columbus Circle) offering three new exhibits this spring. Visitors to Lincoln Square can now embark on a journey through Saya Woolfalk's visionary world in her first major museum retrospective. Spanning two decades of her multimedia artistry, Empathic Universe introduces the "Empathics," a fictional race of women navigating cultural intersections and transformations. Through vibrant garment-based sculptures, immersive video installations, and intricate works on paper, Woolfalk weaves narratives that reflect her explorations of African, African American, Japanese, European, and Brazilian art and folklore. This exhibit is currently open and will run through September 7, 2025.

Visitors can enhance their experience with Utopia Within, an audio drama available via the Bloomberg Connects app, offering deeper insights into the exhibition's themes. Additionally, a special gallery performance by the Alvin Ailey-Fordham BFA in Dance program, created in collaboration with Woolfalk, is scheduled for September 7 at 4:00pm. 

Even more exciting exhibits are on the way! Design enthusiasts can look forward to the May 31 opening of The Mad MAD World of Jonathan Adler, where the renowned designer curates over 60 works from MAD's collection alongside his iconic creations. This exhibition offers a thematic exploration of Adler's inspirations, from mid-century modern ceramics in Authentica to the playful satire in Funkiana and Kottler-ia. Other sections like Erotica, Americalia, Metallica, and Animalia showcase the breadth of Adler's design interests. The exhibition's installation, crafted by Simon Doonan—Adler's husband and former Creative Director of Barneys New York—promises a visually engaging experience.

Also beginning on May 31, visitors can experience the first major museum exhibition spotlighting NYC-based fiber artist Dana Barnes. Untamed Gestures features monumental hand-formed fiber works alongside a fully immersive recreation of Barnes’s Lower East Side studio. Her sculptural landscapes, composed of fibers such as merino, yak, alpaca, and silk, create a compelling tactile environment where motion and stillness coexist in dynamic tension. The exhibition invites visitors into a dialogue between materiality and metamorphosis.

These exhibitions underscore Lincoln Square's one-of-a-kind cultural scene, inviting residents and visitors alike to engage with the arts in meaningful way—you won’t want to miss them!

Photo Credit: Museum of Arts and Design