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Thursday, April 16, 2026
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Lehman Artists Bring 'City, Self, and the Spaces Between' to Midtown
Lehman College artists, Lehman Latin Band, and Deputy Manhattan Borough President Miesha Smith (front, far right) at the Macquarie Community Art Gallery reception.
April 16, 2026
Artwork by Lehman College student artists and recent alumni just made its debut in the Midtown Manhattan gallery of Macquarie Group, a global financial services firm. “City, Self, and the Spaces Between,” an exhibition at their Community Art Gallery on Fifth Avenue, brings together painting, photography, collage and mixed-media pieces exploring New York City, identity, memory and community.
On April 2, artists and their guests were invited to a private reception for a first look at the gallery, where they got the chance to view the exhibition and celebrate the opening with Macquarie staff and community leaders. The evening was accompanied by live music from the Lehman College Latin Band, led by Victor Rendon, adding some Bronx flavor to the celebration.
“Our students don’t just observe New York—they live it, breathe it and translate it into art that challenges us to see ourselves and our city differently,” said William Murray, chief of staff to Lehman President Fernando Delgado. “What strikes me most is how these artists use their creative voices to do what great art has always done: hold up a mirror to our world while opening windows to new ways of seeing.”
The Community Art Gallery, which opened in Fall 2025, is an integral part of Macquarie’s Americas headquarters. The gallery exhibits the works of artists from local non-profits and New York City institutions, promoting equitable access to the art market and fostering relationships between Macquarie and its community partners. This showcase of Lehman artists is the second one to feature CUNY students.
Pritha Mittal, Regional Head of the Macquarie Group Foundation in the Americas, helped to shepherd the exhibition from idea to reality. “We’re proud to welcome our space to the community and spotlight emerging New York City talent,” she said. “It’s a joy to host local artists and showcase their work.” Lehman art faculty and Macquarie employees selected the 14 pieces in the exhibition from over 200 submissions from undergraduates, graduates and alumni. Works such as Francisco Santos’ painting “Rooted Home,” and Krisly Rosario’s photograph “Tangle Within” navigate the complexity of cultural identity and interiority. Others including Leyla Carela’s mixed media “Boogie Down Remix” and Pedro Hernandez’ painting “Kingsbridge Armory” offer dynamic interpretations of Bronx architecture and street environments.
MFA candidate Olayinka Kasali’s intricate, 4x6 ft. fabric collage “Abiona,” tells a story drawn from deep connections to Yoruba heritage, tradition and iconography. “In Yoruba cosmology, ‘Abiona’ symbolizes the connection between the spiritual and physical realms,” he wrote in the description.
“The artwork is incredible,” said Elias Alcántara ’08, Managing Director at Macquarie Group. “It’s representative of our community, and this represents what Macquarie does – investing back in its community.”