Last Friday afternoon, I found myself outside Eny Lee Parker’s apartment building in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, a neighborhood known for its vibrant art scene and creative energy. Eny, a celebrated ceramicist and designer, had just returned from her studio, wheeling in two carts, each topped with oversized, conical sculptures that looked almost playful in their exaggerated scale. These weren’t just any sculptures — they were, in fact, floor-standing candlestick holders, carefully crafted to light up the evening ahead.
As we maneuvered the carts through the narrow hallway toward her apartment, the atmosphere was already charged with anticipation. Upon entering, we were met by Woldy Reyes, Parker’s co-host and the culinary force behind the night’s dinner. With the flourish of a British aristocrat’s butler, he greeted us in a playful accent, setting a whimsical tone for what promised to be an extraordinary evening.
This gathering was not just a dinner party; it was a carefully orchestrated event where art, design, and gastronomy merged seamlessly. Eny’s creations — the towering candlesticks — served as a striking centerpiece, blending functionality with bold artistic vision. Their presence filled the room with an air of dramatic elegance, inviting guests to appreciate the marriage of craft and utility.
The scene inside Parker’s apartment was a testament to thoughtful curation. Every detail, from the ceramic pieces to the ambient lighting and culinary presentation, reflected an intimate dialogue between maker and experience. Parker’s ceramics, known for their sculptural quality and tactile charm, were more than just décor — they were conversation starters, breathing life into the space and sparking curiosity.
Woldy’s role as the evening’s chef elevated the event further. His playful butler persona hinted at a theatrical dining experience, where service and style became part of the art form. His dishes were crafted with equal attention, marrying flavors with the aesthetic sensibility of the surroundings. Together, Eny and Woldy created a night that was as much about sensory immersion as it was about community and connection.
The Fort Greene apartment, bathed in the warm glow of candlelight resting in Eny’s sculptural holders, felt like a sanctuary for creativity. It was clear that this was a space where art was not confined to galleries or studios but lived in everyday moments — in the meals shared, the laughter exchanged, and the beautiful objects that punctuated the evening.
Reflecting on this night, one realizes how moments like these underscore the power of art to transform ordinary experiences into something memorable. Through Eny Lee Parker’s ceramic artistry and Woldy Reyes’s culinary craft, guests were invited into a world where design and hospitality intertwined effortlessly, reminding us that the most impactful creativity often emerges from the simple act of coming together.
In a city buzzing with creativity, Parker’s apartment was a haven where form met function, and where every detail was a testament to the joy of making. It was an evening that celebrated the tactile beauty of ceramics, the pleasure of thoughtful design, and the magic that happens when friends gather to share not just food, but inspiration.
This glimpse into the evening captures not just the physical artistry but the spirit behind it — a reminder that the best creative expressions are those that invite us in, surround us with beauty, and make us feel a little more connected to the world around us.
