The Moonlighters Take Tribeca

One Art Space in Tribeca recently welcomed The Moonlighters, a colorful and imaginative exhibition from artist, singer-songwriter and sculptor Michael Fredo. Celebrated with a VIP reception hosted by Tommy Hilfiger and Andy Hilfiger, the show introduced Fredo’s whimsical cast of original clay characters to a New York audience drawn to art, storytelling and creative reinvention.

A World Of Original Characters
In the heart of Tribeca, One Art Space has once again become a gathering place for art, culture and creative conversation. With Michael Fredo’s The Moonlighters, the gallery opened its doors to a playful, personality-filled universe of sculptural characters that feel at once nostalgic, contemporary and unmistakably personal.

The exhibition, celebrated at a VIP reception hosted by Tommy Hilfiger and Andy Hilfiger, spotlighted Fredo’s imaginative clay figures known as “The Moonlighters.” The works are rooted in original character design, storytelling and a sense of wonder, inviting viewers into a visual world shaped by humor, charm and emotional warmth. For Fredo, each figure is more than an object; it is a small personality with its own presence, expression and story.

From Music To Sculpture
Michael Fredo’s creative journey has taken an uncommon path. An American singer-songwriter, sculptor and former model, Fredo first entered the national spotlight through music. After auditioning for Quincy Jones, he secured a contract with Warner Bros. Records, released his debut album, toured with Britney Spears and earned a Billboard Hot 100 hit with “This Time Around.” He later continued making independent soul and R&B projects while expanding his creative practice into visual art.

That background in performance is felt throughout The Moonlighters. The sculptures carry a sense of stage presence. They do not simply sit quietly in the gallery; they appear to perform, interact and communicate. Their moon-themed forms and playful expressions reflect Fredo’s lifelong interest in creating original characters inspired by people, animals and everyday moments.

Now working from his Manhattan studio, Fredo handcrafts each sculpture with an eye toward joy, good fortune and connection. The result is art that feels accessible without being simple, lighthearted without being shallow, and deeply rooted in the artist’s instinct for storytelling.

The Smile Collection
A centerpiece of the exhibition was the presentation of the “Smile Collection,” a group of works inspired by curator MaryAnn Giella McCulloh’s first encounter with Fredo’s clay sculptures. According to the exhibition materials, the pieces immediately brought a smile, helping inspire the collection’s name. That response is central to understanding the spirit of The Moonlighters: these works are designed to spark delight.

Tommy Hilfiger captured the appeal of the work, describing Fredo’s art as imaginative, expressive and uplifting. He noted its storytelling quality, calling it both nostalgic and fresh, and praised the way it draws people into a creative world built around joy and connection.

The evening also included an unexpected performance by Fredo of his 1990s hit song “Free,” creating a bridge between his musical past and his current artistic chapter. In that moment, the exhibition became more than a gallery opening. It became a portrait of an artist whose creative life continues to evolve across mediums.

A Tribeca Celebration
The VIP reception drew a notable crowd from the worlds of art, fashion, music and New York society. Among those in attendance were Michael Fredo, Tommy Hilfiger, Andy Hilfiger, MaryAnn Giella McCulloh, Mei Fung, Betsy Hilfiger, Ginny Hilfiger, Allison Fredo, Dean Fredo, Joe Fredo, Fern Mallis, Patrick McMullan, Tina Radizwil, Carmen D’Alessio, Nicky DiMaggio, Paul Schindler, Chloe Jane, Joey DJ Blaze, Marky Ramone, Marion Ramone, Al Diaz, Ryan McGuiness and William Quigley.

The exhibition also marks the beginning of a broader creative extension for The Moonlighters. In collaboration with Fredo, One Art Space is launching an exclusive line of merchandise featuring the characters, including mugs, lunch boxes, tote bags, puzzles and clothing. It is a natural move for a project built around strong visual identities and an inviting storybook sensibility.

One Art Space’s Creative Mission
Located at 23 Warren Street, One Art Space has been part of Tribeca’s cultural landscape since opening in May 2011. Led by co-owner and gallerist MaryAnn Giella McCulloh and Mei Fung, the gallery has built a reputation for presenting both museum-caliber and emerging artists in a versatile ground-level space filled with natural light and framed by a welcoming glass façade.

McCulloh’s own creative roots run deep. Her father, Joe Giella, was a celebrated Batman illustrator hired by Stan Lee, with artwork later featured on two USPS stamps issued in 2006 as part of the DC Comics Superheroes release. That connection to illustration, character and popular imagination makes The Moonlighters feel especially at home within the gallery’s larger curatorial story.

Over the years, One Art Space has presented a wide range of artists and exhibitions, including figures from New York’s art scene, world-famous street artists, abstract contemporary painters and solo presentations of influential work. Its mission remains clear: to create a place where the giants of art history and the visionaries of art’s future can come together under one roof.

With The Moonlighters, that mission takes on a joyful new form—one filled with character, color, memory and imagination.

For more information, visit mymoonlighters.com and oneartspace.com