About 1-7Five: A Legacy of Professional Practice

An artist first, Managing Partner Christine Romanell brings the same visionary precision to 1-7Five that defines her geometric art practice. With a 36-year career in visual communication and a transformative 12-year presidency at Manufacturers Village—where she scaled the community to 65+ artists—Christine is the strategic engine behind our 26,000-square-foot facility. As the founder of Garden State Art Weekend, she applies her mastery of creative ecosystems to ensure 1-7Five operates with institutional-grade leadership and professional rigor.

A Principal of 1-7Five and Professor Emeritus of Pratt Institute, Mona Brody is a cornerstone of the regional arts landscape. As the original trailblazer who established the artist community at Manufacturers Village in 2006, Mona brings two decades of cultural stewardship and professional mentorship to our leadership team. An internationally exhibited artist whose work is held in prestigious collections—including the Museum of Modern Art Library and the Montclair Art Museum—she ensures that 1-7Five upholds an uncompromising standard of artistic excellence and institutional-grade rigor.

A Principal of 1-7Five and Associate Professor at Montclair State University, Ruth Borgenicht is a master ceramicist renowned for her architectural 'clay chain mail.' Her practice is a unique dialogue between her background in mathematics and 25 years of technical expertise. At 1-7Five, Ruth’s leadership combines academic rigor with a deep mastery of kiln infrastructure and safety, ensuring a world-class environment for institutional partnerships and professional makers.

A Principal of 1-7Five, Alexandra Schoenberg is a professional architect and artist with over 20 years of experience in navigating the intersection of structure and creativity. Her dual perspective allows her to translate the technical complexities of our 26,000-square-foot facility into a high-functioning, inspired environment for professional makers. Drawing on her leadership experience on the Board of Directors for Manufacturers Village Artists, Alex integrates architectural logic with community governance to oversee specialized facility build-outs and long-term spatial strategy.

Jamie’s role as Principal is defined by a forty-year dedication to high-level craftsmanship and the professional elevation of emerging creators. A prolific artist obsessed with technical detail, she has served as a vital mentor for decades, bringing numerous artists into her studio as assistants to help them cultivate the skills and professional discipline necessary to launch their own successful careers. At 1-7Five, she translates this commitment into overseeing the specialized infrastructure and complex material work.