Creative Coordinates

Dong Ping Wong: Reimagining Architecture in the 21st Century

Dong-Ping Wong is the founder of FOOD, an architecture studio known for public-first, joy-forward design. From a floating pool in the East River to a Mahjong clubhouse in Chinatown, his projects reframe how we use space, who it’s for, and what it can say. We cover: •⁠ ⁠The design philosophy behind +POOL •⁠ ⁠Collaborating with Virgil Abloh •⁠ ⁠Designing civic joy into urban space •⁠ ⁠Launching experimental venues in NYC •⁠ ⁠Sketching, constraints, and creative freedom Plus: 🚀 A Rocket Round full of quick-fire insights—from go-to materials to dream cities and defining “home.” 📍 Recorded @wsanyc 🎧 Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Rami Haykal-Manning: Building Elsewhere & Brooklyn’s Independent Music Culture

Rami Haykal-Manning is the co-founder of Elsewhere, Brooklyn’s beloved independent venue known for genre-spanning shows, dance nights, and community-first culture. We cover: •⁠ ⁠Elsewhere’s founding story & seven figure raise •⁠ ⁠NYC’s shifting nightlife landscape •⁠ ⁠How to build community through curation •⁠ ⁠Lessons from Glasslands & PopGun •⁠ ⁠Why live music still matters •⁠ ⁠Rami’s global upbringing & creative lens Plus: A Rocket Round packed with first shows, favorite venues, wild stories, and real talk on building spaces that last. 📍 Recorded @wsanyc

Michael Montella: Founder of Yeoman

In this episode of Creative Coordinates, we sit down with Michael Montella, the first-time founder of Yeoman - a bold new marketplace connecting America’s farms directly with local food businesses and consumers. We explore: •⁠ ⁠The origin story behind Yeoman and the “Farmazon” concept •⁠ ⁠Why he’s focused on B2B2C and P2P logistics •⁠ ⁠What it’s like raising $600K with no prior startup experience •⁠ ⁠How Yeoman hopes to reverse a system where farmers earn less than 14 cents per grocery dollar •⁠ ⁠The power of small, local farms — and why U.S. agriculture is overdue for a refresh •⁠ ⁠Why furniture making might be his secret backup career Plus: 🚀 A Rocket Round full of farmer’s markets, Moby Dick, coffee shop plug-ins, and big founder energy. 📍 Recorded at WSA Podcast Studio, NYC

Kris Moon: From James Beard to a21 & the Future of Cultural Experiences

In this episode of Creative Coordinates, we sit down with Kris Moon, former President & COO of the James Beard Foundation and now COO at a21—the executive team behind iconic festivals like NYCWFF, SOBEWFF, and Art on Paper NY. We cover: * His 17-year run at JBF and leading it through cultural evolution * Why chefs became powerful cultural voices—and how policy meets food * Building Platform by JBF at Pier 57 as a creative civic space * Transitioning to a21 and the art of producing large-scale live experiences * The WSA x NYCWFF partnership and why local ecosystems matter * How creativity, hospitality, and impact intersect Rocket Round — favorite meals, concerts, books, rituals, and more. 📍 Recorded at WSA — where creativity meets community.

Damon Brandt on Legacy, Storytelling, and Evolving the Art World

Damon Brandt opened his first gallery in the 1980s and went on to found Saltmine Projects in the early ’90s - a platform dedicated to long-term collaboration and curatorial depth. In this episode of Creative Coordinates, Damon shares what it was like growing up in a family of art dealers, carving his own path, and how the art world — and artist storytelling — has evolved over the past four decades. We explore: – What it means to represent an artist through story – How value in art is shaped by narrative and reputation – The balance between instinct and experience – The importance of creative hubs like WSA in today’s NYC – Damon’s new artist-focused documentary series 📍 Recorded at WSA — where creativity meets community.