Architecture and Artwork Tours to be Held at Grand Central Madison
Tickets Available Through Lottery at ohny.org
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced it would be participating in the upcoming Open House New York (OHNY) Weekend Oct. 20 – Oct. 22 with tours of both the architecture and the artwork at Grand Central Madison.
Launched in 2003, OHNY Weekend is an annual festival that opens hundreds of noteworthy or significant places across the five boroughs to foster discovery and delight for New Yorkers and visitors alike. This year’s OHNY Weekend festival will offer a mix of in-person experiences, self-guided explorations, and digital content.
"Grand Central Madison is a transformative project that required sweeping vision and attention to detail,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “Through Open House New York, the public will have the opportunity to hear directly from the MTA project executives and directors who helped make this brand-new terminal come to life.”
“Artwork by Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith makes Grand Central Madison a must-see destination in Manhattan,” said MTA Arts & Design Director Sandra Bloodworth. “I’m excited to show members of the public this powerful and thought-provoking art that brings energy and joy to those who travel through the terminal.”
“Nothing reflects the dynamism and diversity of New York quite like OHNY Weekend. And nothing rivals the experience of exploring and discovering the city alongside thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world,” said Executive Director of Open House New York Pamela Puchalski. “By inviting the public to explore projects across all corners of the city, this festival embraces the power of place—from neighborhood anchors and bridges and tunnels to historic landmarks and modern skyscrapers.”
“Grand Central Madison – Architecture Tour,” will be held on Sunday, Oct. 22. It will dive into the achievements in architecture and engineering that went into creating the landmark. The tour will be conducted by Judith Kunoff, MTA East Side Access Program Executive.
“Grand Central Madison – Artwork Tour” on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22, will explore the station’s permanent mosaics by renowned artists Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith, a photography exhibition, displays of digital artwork, and Poetry in Motion. The tours will be given by MTA Arts & Design Director Sandra Bloodworth (Sunday, 1 p.m.), Deputy Director Yaling Chen (Saturday, 1 p.m.), and Manager Bridget Donlon (Saturday, 11 a.m.).
Grand Central Madison is the first new major downtown rail terminal in the United States in 67 years and the first expansion of the LIRR in 112 years, since service began to Penn Station on Sept. 8, 1910. The terminal provides Long Island with service to both sides of Manhattan for the first time.
In addition to these MTA tours, HLB Lighting Design will be showing off the lighting updates and luminous ceiling at the renovated Penn Station Level concourse on Saturday, Oct. 21 during the “Penn Station @ Night” tour.
Entry to these locations is free, but requires tickets distributed via lottery. All entries must be submitted by Thursday, Oct. 12, at 9 a.m. Winners will be selected in multiple draws from Thursday, Oct. 12, to Monday, Oct. 16.
More information can be found at ohny.org/weekend.