Office of the Mayor
City of New York
Citation
Whereas, you cannot tell the story of New York without acknowledging the generations of artists who have shaped it. A standout among them was the late Stephen Antonakos, a pioneering figure in the use of neon in 20th century contemporary art. Today, on what would have been his 1ooth birthday, I am pleased to commend his vibrant contributions to the five boroughs.
Whereas, Born in Greece on November 1, 1926, Stephen was four years old when his family immigrated to the United States and eventually settled in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, where he attended Fort Hamilton High School, and later graduated from Brooklyn College in Midwood. He demonstrated an interest in drawing from a young age and started out making a living as an illustrator in the advertising industry while pursuing his own creative projects at night, including making collages from discarded cloth and sculptures with found materials. But it was when he began experimenting with neon in the early 196os that he found his true calling. It became his signature medium and he found great success and earned international acclaim while spending decades exploring variations of color, space, and geometric forms in his luminous sculptures, installations, and large-scale architectural projects.
Whereas, During his long and prolific career, Stephen's works were shown in museums and galleries around the world. In the mid-198os, he received a commission through the Percent for Art program of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) for an installation at the 59th Street Marine Transfer Station at Pier 99 along the Hudson River. Lighting up that facility since 1990 and catching the eyes of people traveling along the West Side Highway, that expansive piece remains one of the Big Apple's most impressive examples of municipal art. Stephen passed away in 2013 at the age of 86, but his indelible imprint lives on through the remarkable neon masterpieces that he has left for others to admire. His legacy is now preserved by the Stephen Antonakos Studio (SAS), located in the SoHo loft where this outstanding New Yorker spent many years honing his craft. Our Administration firmly believes that art is a public good-not a luxury reserved for the few. We are grateful to SAS for its allyship as we take bold steps to ensure our city remains a place where artists can afford to live, work, and create. As you gather to commemorate the centennial of Stephen's birth, I am pleased to join in recognizing the many ways he enriched our cultural landscape and will continue to inspire people of all backgrounds for generations to come.
Now therefore, 1, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of the City of New York, on Sunday, November 1, 2026, do hereby confer this citation on:
Stephen Antonakos Studio
Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor