“The Family” (1979) by Chaim Gross; on permanent view at Bleecker and West 11th Streets, New York City

The renovation of the small neighborhood park and sitting area at Bleecker and West 11th Street won the 2012 Village Award from the Greenwich Village Society of Historical Preservation (the park is right across from the Magnolia Bakery, known for their amazing cupcakes). We attended the GVSHP’s wonderful awards ceremony last month, chaired by the hilarious and brilliant Calvin Trillin. The highlight of the evening was the award to Arturo’s, the famous pizza restaurant on Houston Street, and the moving acceptance speech by Arthur’s daughter Lisa, who described her parents’ adventures in both love and Italian cuisine.

Chaim’s joyful bronze, The Family, above, stands at the entry to the Bleecker Street park and now looks better than ever in the updated, serene, and elegant environment. The Family was a gift in 1992 from Chaim to the City of New York, in honor of former Mayor Ed Koch, as described by the Parks Department here, and on the plaque in the park:

Here are a few more shots of The Family:

If you’re down in the Village this summer, be sure to visit this wonderful park and uplifting, joyful sculpture!