ÎLE MAISON ÎM HOME AWARD

presentedto GRACIE MANSION

The NYC Mayor's Residence

Honoring the Most Significant Home in New York City.

June 16th, 2023

My family and I immigrated from Lagos, Nigeria to The Bronx after my mother won the green card visa lottery. Adjusting to life in The Bronx was difficult; I was teased for being African and called names like "Amistad" and "Kunta Kinte" by my peers, who ironically looked like me. Playing the trumpet was a way to hide my strong African accent. I did not think being a musician could be a career until my college advisor told me that I could study music in college and become a professional musician.

New York City is the music capital of the world; the opportunities here are endless. New York City is also sink, or swim. I realized very quickly that you can be anything you want, however, regardless of what you want to achieve, you have to show up every day, check your pride at the door and work fervently until the job is done. It will usually all pay off!

My favorite thing about being a musician is that I have the unique opportunity to share my story and my journey through music with people from all walks of life, in almost any setting. I consider that to be a huge privilege.

Music is the icing on the cake of any event and it is very important to pick the right types or genres of music to accentuate the mood. For this event, I decided to go with popular Jazz ballads, bossa nova and popular love songs, which guests can easily recognize and can set the mood for an enjoyable and relaxed Friday evening at Gracie Mansion.

The biggest hardship as a musician has been finding my voice as a soloist. Keeping my authenticity, living in it and being able to make a living through it was challenging. I was able to overcome this through a few things; firstly, keeping my faith in God. Secondly, the love and support of my family and loved ones. Thirdly, the care and advice from teachers and mentors. Lastly, trusting the process of hard work and living everyday with gratitude.

Ile Maison in conversation with Nic Faitos, Founder of Starbright Floral Design - the Sponsor of the flower arrangements for Gracie Mansion Ile Maison Art de Vivre Celebration.

Flowers are unique in their ability to awaken our senses and touch our souls in profound ways. Their enchanting allure lies not only in their visual appeal but also in their ability to awaken emotions and memories within us.

The scent of a flower, a particular color, or even a singular bloom can remind us of a moment or an emotion from a time past. Flowers are often associated with moments that bring back a smile, a memory or even a milestone.

Through flowers we see a natural elegance and grace, reminding us of the beauty that exists in the world and bringing a sense of wonder and delight.

I came from a background in finance on Wall Street. During my younger years, my focus was in marketing disciplines. Through various channels, I discovered that in the floral industry clients were underserved by low expectations and even lower standards of excellence. Combining what I saw as the universal language or emotions with an elevated level of service, I was able to create an organization emphasized happiness and great service. Thirty years later, the standards that developed live to this day.

Flowers hold a deeper meaning as symbols of growth, resilience, and the transient nature of life. They serve as reminders that even in the face of adversity, beauty can emerge and bloom. Flowers symbolize the cyclical nature of existence, representing the continuous process of birth, growth, decay, and rebirth. Their fleeting beauty teaches us to appreciate the present moment and cherish the ephemeral experiences that shape our lives. Flowers connect us to the natural world. They serve as reminders of our interconnectedness with the environment and the importance of nurturing and preserving the delicate ecosystems that sustain life.

Kristina Schmidt is a visual artist and entrepreneur. Following the success of her Bulldog Gallery public art project and Art XO, she has resumed her focus on resin art.

Resin is a challenging and exciting medium. Other areas of expertise include painting, display art, outdoor art, public art and resin river tables.

https://www.artxostudio.com/