A Grand Opening at Bonner David New York
After a pandemic delay, Bonner David Galleries celebrates its arrival on the Upper East Side
| 19 Sep 2022 | 08:56
Guests mingle at Bonner David New York opening reception. Photo: Karen Camela Watson
Left to right: Christi Bonner Manuelito, Rebecca Rosenfield and Clark David Olson at Bonner David New York’s gala reception. Photo: Karen Camela Watson
Christi Bonner Manuelito (left) and guest at the reception. Photo: Karen Camela Watson
Two years in the making, Bonner David Galleries formally celebrated its arrival in New York City and the Upper East Side with a gala reception on Friday evening.
“We’re doubly excited,” said founding co-owner Clark David Olson of the end of the wait to finally welcome New Yorkers to the second location of the Scottsdale-based fine art gallery. “We opened in February of 2020, a month later we were closed due to COVID ... so this is really the first time since things have opened up that we have been able to have a grand opening.”
And it was a well-received opening. A steady stream of guests – “lots of very interesting people,” said Olson – showed up on Friday, the first of two evenings of celebration at the brightly-lit, inviting space located on East 81st Street, only half a block from Museum Mile.
Bonner David Galleries was founded in Scottsdale, Arizona, 20 years ago by Olson, who brought in his extensive knowledge of art collecting, and Christi Bonner Manuelito, a practicing artist, to primarily expand the appreciation of fine art among both seasoned and new collectors. To do so, they created a gallery concept offering both traditional and contemporary pieces at the now popular gallery, extending the same model to the newly opened New York City space.
“So Worth the Wait”
Manuelito shares Olson’s excitement regarding the long-awaited opening celebration.
“It’s been a long time coming, and it was so worth the wait,” she said during a brief pause from hosting the reception. “It’s been a really nice evening, lots of community – coming in here, seeing the art – they’re very accepting of us,” she said of the art lovers gathered in conversation and art-gazing. “It’s just been a really positive night,” she added.
Bonner David New York gallery director Rebecca Rosenfield also spoke of the support they have received in their two years on the Upper East Side. “We’ve gotten such a warm welcome, so we’re just so pleased that we can finally really celebrate the way we wanted to in 2020.”
And before rushing off to greet more guests, Rosenfield smiled and echoed what we have all been saying for some time now: “New York is back!”