Our 25th Anniversary Celebration
“Love, Peace, Unity & Hope” 2025 Exhibition
January 25 – April 25, 2025

“Love, Peace, Unity & Hope” presented art by more than 60 artists. Here is a selection from the exhibition.

The art was created by extraordinary artists from our two websites — Manhattan Arts International and The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS. View list of all participating artists on this page. This Invitational Exhibition also commemorated the 25th Anniversary of our website ManhattanArts.com established in 1980.  Read about our history.  Please contact them directly to inquire about purchasing their art.

At the bottom of this page is a link to Page 2 where more art from this exhibition created by Master Artists.

The copyright to all artwork belongs to each artist. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce images without the written consent of the artist. 

Peter N. Van Giesen

Sunset Blissful Peace, acrylic on canvas, 24″ x 30″

Why does peace seem illusive, yet readily available? Am I alone the determining element? As I paint, I look up from my introspection to witness the answer writing across the twilight skies. Absorbing the message, I too choose colors intuitively, releasing my thoughts of fear and turmoil. I reach my internal haven of calm as I send my gratitude back into the air, breathing deeply, completely serene as I add my initials acknowledging arrival to a place of peace.  peternvangiesen.com

Debora Levy

Wish, mixed media, 40″ x 30″ x 1.5″

My work celebrates the beauty of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit, encouraging viewers to find hope in every brushstroke. Through my art, I strive to inspire a shared vision of a more peaceful and unified world, where love and compassion guide us toward a brighter future. deboralevyart.com

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” ~ Helen Keller

Nancy Calef

Push and Pull of Evolution, oil on canvas, 30″ x 30″

As humanity evolves, there is a pull of resistance to change and a push to release old ways. The mandala design incorporates symbolism, spirituality, science, and the social realms within our ever-changing human experience. nancycalefgallery.com

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bren Sibilsky

Nature’s Companions, clay for bronze, 13″ x 6″ x 6.5″

Love, Peace, Unity and Hope is felt when I surround myself with nature’s companions, it is my refuge and support. The spiritual nourishment we can feel from this connection is a powerful tool from Source for us all, especially in times of need. When it comes right down to it, life is all about Unity of connection and our Love expression. I believe that is why the artist creates, it is the creative spark sharing Peace and Hope. brensculpture.com

Nancy Reyner

Songbirds on a Rainy Day, acrylic and Dutch gold leaf on canvas, 54″ x 65″

Being in the present moment, I feel hyperaware and connected to my inner spirit, my higher self. This is when I can best feel positive emotions such as those highlighted in this exhibition — love, peace, unity and hope. Ultimately, I want my paintings to emanate these higher states. Therefore I make it a daily practice to meditate and walk in nature to stay in connected as much as possible. Gold leaf has a high vibration and seemed the perfect choice to use for this painting. nancyreyner.com

“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” — Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Rohit Shah

Cloud 24D, oil on canvas, 48″ x 60″

I love painting ‘Cosmos’, our Universe. The Universe is everything. In many religions, the Universe is seen as a creation of a Divine being, with a predetermined purpose and order. It is shapeless, irregular and a constant changing subject with bright and brilliant stars and their systems millions of light years in all directions. There are millions of colors. Only these colors can express such unconventional combinations creating Purity, Darkness, Passion, Tranquility, Hope, Happiness and Spirituality. rohitshahdesign.com

“Life is a flower of which love is the honey.” ~ Victor Hugo

Corina Ioana

Whispers of the Roots, photography,  17″ x 20″

In the stillness of the forest, nature speaks through the intertwining trees and whispering leaves, forming a subtle face. This piece reflects the deeper truths hidden beneath the surface, much like the roots that nourish the forest. The muted green-gray palette invites introspection, symbolizing the connection between our inner selves and the natural world. This year, my journey is one of self-reconnection, seeking the essence of who I am while embracing unity, love, and hope. corinafoto.com 

Joan Metcalf

Glorious Autumn oil and metal leaf, 40″ x 60″

I have always painted bright and cheerful images of nature to cheer myself and others. In recent years my need to stay positive during even greater sadness has also increased the brightness of my paintings and hopes for future peace and unity. joanmetcalf.com

“Only humility will lead us to unity, and unity will lead to peace.” ~ Mother Teresa

Joe Stavec

It was her favorite time of day, watercolor on paper, 23″ x 29″

In this fast-paced world, I suggest it is wise to take a moment of silence. Contemplation amongst peaceful surroundings enables a time for reflection of the past, present and hope for the future. My hope is that my work offers this opportunity to gaze upon my image and create a story in your mind or simply lose yourself in thought. I like to explore the strange and imaginary in my paintings; to bathe everyday reality in a magical light. saatchiart.com/joestavec

“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” ~ Aristotle

Anne Morrison Rabe

Blue, photography, 6″ x 6″

I find peace in nature. My visit to an iris farm after a spring rain provided a respite from the bustling city in the valley far below. I was drawn to this delicate bloom unfolding like a quiet whisper of tranquility, its soft lavender petals cradling gentle shadows of calm. The translucent folds, kissed by droplets of water, evoked hope. Shades of blue and white merged in tranquil harmony, a silent affirmation that beauty will bloom even amidst life’s uncertainties. annemorrisonrabe.photography

“Love and desire are the spirit’s wings to great deeds.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Poul Nielsen

Atmospheric Probabilities #12, pastel/paper, 20”x16”

This painting is essentially about celebrating the colour and light that I witness everyday in my prairie environment. This work is also about the interplay and unity of all the shapes to convey a sense of peace and unity. psnielsen.com

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” ~ Albert Einstein

Roopa Dudley

Mercury in Virgo, acrylic, 40″x 30″

Peace is attained when we practice self-mastery over our emotions and surrendering to the higher power. Here, the Hermit is seated in the knowledge of the Seven Hermetic Principles which helps him align with his higher self through detachment and realization as to how we all are cosmically connected to each other. Unifying the inner-self with the outer-self through Love gives way to Hope. When we have all three together, we achieve the state of Bliss. roopadudley.com

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” ~ Siddhārtha Gautama

Paula Borsetti

Love Song, acrylic on panel, 24″ x 24″

I learned so much while caring for my disabled dog, Jenny. For the last 18 months of her life she could only move in her wheelchair and I was her person. Her route to the backyard was always the same, yet for her every day was a new experience. She would stop and smell the flowers along the path. She taught me about strength, resilience, hope and unconditional love. I painted “Love Song” when we had to say goodbye. paulaborsetti.com

“Love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear;
the strength so strong mere force is feebleness:
the truth more first than sun, more last than star.” ~ E.E. Cummings

Mark Levin

Paganini Flower Blossom Shelf, Alder wood with Danish oil finish, approximate dimensions, 40″ x 50″ x 23″

I aimed to capture my kid sister’s spirit in the “Paganini Flower Blossom Shelf”. A talented violinist, Paganini’s works were her favorite. Lynne Heidi was kind, intelligent, and empathetic but lacked the armor to protect herself against life’s ugliness. She struggled with mental health issues starting in her late teens and, at thirty-six, chose to leave this world. Her violin is in my office as a daily reminder of her presence. marklevin.com

“The essence of the beautiful is unity in variety.” ~ William Somerset Maugham

Janice Phelps Williams

A Beautiful Home, digital drawing in Procreate, 19″ x 24″

In “A Beautiful Home,” I have tried to capture the symbiotic relationships of creatures living in an imaginary sea. They love their home, the only one they know, and are peaceful there. They must work in unity to survive. It is easy for me to imagine myself in such a place, feeling small creatures and plants brushing against my skin. It may be dark in an actual sea, but in this one all is bright and beautiful. janicephelpswilliams.com

“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future.
If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” ~ Lao Tzu

Charlotte Shroyer

Worldly Connections, oil, 34″ x 24″

As the world spins into greater chaos with its wars, its move toward more authoritarian rule in so many places, and more, I long for a time and place where man can work out his disagreements with rational voice and action regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, education — a utopian view, I am sure, but one which I continue to adhere to. This painting is a visual representation of my hopeful world view. Let’s mingle, talk, get together, unite and find peace. charlotteshroyer.com

Nancy Staub Laughlin

The Blossoming of Froth, pastel on paper, mounted photograph, 31″ x 55″

I have created a new concept of the assemblage working with pastels on paper and photography. These dynamic, layered assemblages transport the viewer to my mesmerizing world of color, light, dimension and beauty from a different perspective. The viewer is immersed into the sheer magnificence of the natural world. They are the culmination of many carefully executed steps that define my distinctive creative process. The love of the phenomenon of nature is what keeps us grounded.  nancystaublaughlin.com

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all.” ~ Emily Dickinson

Sandra Belitza-Vazquez

A Lovely Afternoon, photography, available in various sizes

While driving home from Pawling a few months ago, I was captivated by a small body of water bathed in warm afternoon light that seemed to twinkle. I parked my car and began exploring the view with my cellphone, noticing the silhouetted cattails and rippled water reflecting the bright yellow and gold tree limbs, branches, and leaves. The inviting warmth I felt from the peaceful beauty of the scene helped me realize the possibilities. sbvaz.com

“What a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

Karen H. Salup

Cosmic Energy, mixed media, 36.22″ x 36.22″

My concerns for earth and peace are always on my mine, when starting this painting, I began thinking about our existence on earth and love and kindness and how I wanted to express my concerns. It might seem political; however, I feel the warmth and love viewing this art. karenhs.com

Rajul Shah

I Sense the Light, acrylic on linen, 21″ x 29″

A fusion between the Art of Kintsugi and the spiritual teachings of the Chakras, I create meditative expressions of color using the aura of each chakra. The “third-eye” chakra commands our intuition. With an aura of indigo. layers of texture (fractal circular strokes) represent life’s imperfect experiences. Layers of color indicate learnings from the adversity. Indigo Kintsugi lines denote the process of bringing this chakra back into balance as the wisdom we gain helps us improve life going forward with the light, with hope and a loving heart. rajulshahart.com

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
~ Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

Barbara Brown

Through, oil on canvas, 14″ x 18″

Today’s world cries out for “Love, Peace, Unity & Hope”, and as artists we rise to the call. I want my work to bring the forest to people. Connecting with Nature brings profound peace, as we find ourselves at one with all creation. So I try to conjure up for you the feelings of PEACE that settle into you—and the feelings of belonging, of UNITY with all of life, that envelope you—as you sink into the forest’s healing greenery. barbarabrownart.com

Tommy B. McDonell

Island Storm, mixed media, 14″ x 12″

I love the world, and not just one area. One of my biggest fears is global warming. I think it’s important to educate our citizens about the dangers of greenhouse gasses as well as the concentration of carbon dioxide which makes all of us vulnerable to rising waters. At one point, the melting of ice will affect each and every one of us. My greatest wish is for our country to work with others to reverse these trends.  leapforartnyc.com

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

There’s More!

Page 2 Presents Art by Artists from Art History On the theme of “Love, Peace, Unity & Hope”