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The new year at The Players presents one of the most anticipated events for members and guests, and the 2026 5th Annual Artists Exhibition in the Hampden-Booth Theatre Library exceeded all expectations. Several returning artists' works were on display, and this year, some new participants showcased their creative skills to all who attended. In all previous art shows at The Players and in 2026, the exhibition showcased the private club's multi-talented members, featuring a wide variety of themes and media, including photography, acrylic, oil, and pencil.

Founders Night by Thomas Nast. Courtesy of The Players

The Curators Behind the Exhibition

Sarah Ann Rodgers and Michael Gerbino curated the exhibition. Speaking to a standing-room-only crowd on the event's opening night on January 14th, Gerbino thanked all the artists and attendees. "This is a personal house where we can all come together," Gerbino said. He also praised Rodgers for her tireless hard work and ambition. Rodgers replied, "This is a special event Michael cooked up, and his team makes it happen."

Featured Artists and Their Inspiring Stories

Peggy Kinstler: A Legacy of Artistic Vision One of the returning artists this year was Peggy Kinstler. People know her well because she was married to the late Everett Raymond Kinstler; several of his paintings grace the walls in The Players' Kinstler Room. When asked who influenced her creative journey, she humbly remarked, "My late husband was a genuine artist, and I so enjoyed being on his coattails." That is a tribute that should stir your soul.

Peggy Kinstler, Artist. Exhibiting in the Players' 5th Annual Artists Exhibition. Photo by Victoria Dammer Kinstler said she submitted Music at the Met because "she liked how the instruments in the photo were hanging on almost invisible wires in a glass case, creating a funnel pointing across the open gallery." Her grandson was also in the photograph. Kinstler began her photography journey as a kid with a Brownie box camera. She then worked with 35 mm film cameras, developed her own photographs, and later transitioned to digital photography. She added that being around Everett, whose paintings featured powerful design elements, helped her "see" more clearly, and her work reflects that vision. That is not to say Peggy Kinstler hasn't captured her own vision in her work. Roger Cluxton: From Live Events to Landscape Photography Roger Cluxton, a Senior Show Producer with over 42 years of experience, puts together live events worldwide. He likes to execute every event flawlessly; flawless is what attendees saw in his digital photo titled "Joshua Tree National Park." Cluxton majored in Photography and Cinema from the College of the Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University. He said he bought a Nikon F2 and had a darkroom at home. Cluxton said he spent countless hours studying the chemistry of photography and worked as a photographer and writer at a newspaper after graduating from college.

Roger Cluxton, Artist. Exhibiting in the Players' 5th Annual Artists Exhibition. Photo by Victoria Dammer Cluxton said the most significant influences on his artistic journey were Ansel Adamsand Richard Avedon, particularly their black-and-white photography. He also provided insight to help viewers understand his body of work. "I take a lot of pictures with my iPhone or my Nikon. Regardless of which one I use, I'm very selective when I hit the shutter. When I see something worth capturing, I stop dead in my tracks and determine the best position to frame the shot, then click." Joshua Tree National Park will stop you in your tracks with its beauty and serenity. Dr. James Sabetta: Discovering Art After a Medical Career An amazing acrylic portrait on display in the show was an impressive copy of Édouard Manet's Berthe Morisot au bouquet de violettes, 1872, the first painting by Dr. James Sabetta. Sabetta said he was a practicing doctor from 1978 to 2021 and had never used the right side of his brain until he took drawing lessons. He said he wasn't very good at it and taught himself through trial and error. "In the spring of 2025, I read 10 or more books on the Impressionist painters," Sabetta said. "I visited Paris, Rouen, and Honfleur to see the masterpieces by Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, and Manet, among others. I found Manet's painting of Berthe Morisot quite striking."

Dr. James Sabetta, Artist. Exhibiting in the Players' 5th Annual Artists Exhibition. Photo by Victoria Dammer Sabetta said it took him four months to complete the painting. Upon viewing Sabetta's masterpiece, one would say his hard work and dedication produced a masterful copy of one of Manet's best-known portraits. He is working on another painting, and it is now a hobby he intends to enjoy for the rest of his life. Sabetta reminds us that there is hidden talent in all of us.

Visit the Exhibition

The Players' 5th Annual Artists Exhibition, 16 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY.

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