Over the last 150 years, there has not been a more important city in the world for visual artists. The city’s bohemian and anti-bourgeois culture in the late 1800’s helped to cultivate diversity and artistic freedom. This paved the way for the development of innovative art schools and the emergence of some of the most important painters in world history.

When you see the spirit that exists in Paris it makes you think of only one other place—New York. That beautiful statue that sits in our harbor… “One River” away — is a shared symbol of freedom. Like many of us, I was in Manhattan on 911 and understand the fear that can dominate after something like this. I also learned how united we can be at times like this and the importance of remaining positive. Freedom of all kinds will be attacked but it will always persevere.