LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of arts advocate Harold Reed
of New York City's South Seaport Area

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to mourn publicly
cherished citizens of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is with deep regret that this Legislative Body records the
passing of Harold Reed, a longtime, well-known and highly admired resi-
dent of New York City's South Seaport Area on January 5, 2013, at the
age of 75, while en route to Hong Kong; and
WHEREAS, Art dealer, theatrical producer and community advocate,
Harold Reed was born in Newark, New Jersey; he studied at Stanford
University, then settled in New York in the mid 1960s; and
WHEREAS, Harold Reed began a career as a theatrical agent before turn-
ing to art; he founded the Mobile Art Gallery and later the Harold Reed
Gallery, known for seminal shows of works by Botero, Alice Neel, and
many others; and
WHEREAS, He was a member of the Art Dealers Association of America in
the 1980s and, in more recent years, was an active member of Manhattan
Community Board 1 (CB1) and lobbied in support of theater and the arts
in Lower Manhattan, especially for the South Street Seaport area; and
WHEREAS, Harold Reed served, as well, on the boards of the CB1's Land-
marks Committee as well as the Yaddo arts colony; and
WHEREAS, A longtime resident of the Seaport, Harold Reed joined Commu-
nity Board 1 in 2001; during his time on the board, where he chaired the
Arts and Entertainment Task Force, he worked tirelessly to bolster
opportunities for artists Downtown and to create new performance spaces;
and
WHEREAS, Harold Reed was a fierce advocate for the World Trade Center
Performing Arts Center and was also working for the creation of a year-
round performing arts space in the Seaport; he had, also, previously
served on the board of the South Street Seaport Museum; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his efforts to expand public art space, Harold
Reed is remembered, as well, by his fellow CB1 members for his cheerful
and quiet demeanor and as a gentleman who brought people together in a
quiet way; and
WHEREAS, Before joining Community Board 1, he worked as an art dealer
and theatrical producer; among his credits as a producer is the 1987
Broadway production of "Burn This," with John Malkovich; Harold Reed
spent a year collecting photographs for "By the Gladness of the River,"
a 2004 portrait exhibition at the South Street Seaport Museum which he
described as a "tribute" to the work of local artists; and
WHEREAS, Harold Reed is survived by his son, Bradford Reed, a musician
and composer; and
WHEREAS, Over his meritorious life Harold Reed distinguished himself
as a man of talent, sincere dedication and substantial contribution; his
legacy will forever live on through his family, friends and colleagues,
and the many lives he touched throughout his lifetime; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to Harold Reed, to celebrate his life, and to honor his accom-
plishments; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bradford Reed, his son.