Diana Mackown, 1977.

Join us in celebrating Louise Nevelson’s 125th birthday!

Around the world, galleries, universities, and cultural institutions are celebrating the milestone birthday of one of the 20th century’s most prolific artists.

At Saint Peter’s Church, we celebrate this birthday at Nevelson Chapel, the only remaining, permanent, fully-intact sculptural environment by Louise Nevelson. Comprising nine substantial white and gold-leaf sculptural elements installed onsite by Nevelson herself, this “oasis of silence” is more than a quiet place for reflection— it is harmoniously contained yet uncontainable, profoundly and marvelously human.

Just outside the doors of this sculptural masterpiece, toast to Nevelson’s enduring legacy, don Louise’s unique fashions, and tap into the creativity that only the lady of honor could match. Come and enjoy refreshments, live music, and brief remarks.

Born September 23, 1899 in Ukraine, Louise Nevelson created monochrome sculptural masterpieces, often from found objects. In 1977, Nevelson created a unique sculptural environment at the heart of Citicorp Center and Saint Peter’s Church, which she titled Chapel of the Good Shepherd. Today, as historians of art and architecture are recognizing the gradual loss of our city’s human-scale spaces to an urbanism focused on security and pressured by commercialism, Nevelson’s legacy offers respite and inspiration.

In addition to her vital artistic contribution, Nevelson was known for her unique fashion: her head wrapped in scarves, layered clothing inspired from around the world, and multiple layers of eyelashes. The same year Nevelson Chapel was completed, Nevelson was added to Eleanor Lambert’s “Best Dressed International Women” list. On her birthday, we remember her vivacious personality in addition to her artistic vision as we celebrate Nevelson steps away from her “monument to the soul.”

This event is hosted by the Nevelson Legacy Council, The Arts and Architecture Conservancy at Saint Peter’s and Saint Peter’s Church. After a successful Renewing a Masterwork campaign to fund urgent conservation work and upgrade the HVAC system, a For the Future campaign is underway to secure an endowment for annual conservation and an endowment for programming. Learn more at future.saintpeters.org/nevelson.