Friedrike Merck ,NSS Sculptor

The Studio is Moving!

After a short but highly productive stint at 23rd Street in Manhattan, Merck Studio will move upstate in August. The sculptor will work in temporary space in Bearsville until a proper studio is built.

Commission and other work is ongoing.

Pete Seeger Awarded the Medal of Discovery

Pete Seeger was awarded the New York Medal of Discovery by Governor David Paterson at a Quadricentennial celebration "Blessing of the Fleet" at Battery Park, Manhattan. Seeger was recognized for his "innumerable contributions to the Hudson River and to the environmental movement". Tao Seeger accepted the award on behalf of his grandfather.

The bronze medallion, by New York sculptor Friedrike Merck, was commissioned by the New York State Quadricentennial Commission in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson and Samuel Champlain plying the waters now named after them, as well as the Bicentennial celebration of Robert Fulton's first successful steam ship voyage.

The evening presentation celebrated "Harbor Night", with the vessels Clearwater Sloop and Half Moon in the harbor, to head north the next morning, retracing the historic voyage of Hudson's vessel up to Albany and reminding New Yorkers of the importance of safe guarding the River's environment.

Bronze Medallions in the Party Favor Bags

One hundred and fifty bronze medallions depicting the sponsor of the Central Park Bill, New York State Senator Edwin D. Morgan, and a view of Belvedere Castle from Turtle Pond, were among the goodies handed out during the Sesquicentennial Celebration, 150 Dinners on the Park.

The hosts, from the Guggenheims to the Soros's, held dinner parties in homes ringing the Park in celebration of the anniversary event which was Chaired by The Central Park Conservancy.

Although the goody bags, a thank you from the Conservancy to the fundraising hosts, had many wonderful items, from recently published books on the Park to cut glass from Tiffany's, the four inch bronze medallions, "The Central Park Medallion", had the added dimension of being made by New York sculptor Friedrike Merck, a direct descendent of the advocate for a centrally located park and sponsor of the Bill, Senator E.D. Morgan.