About 1-7Five: A Legacy of Professional Practice
The foundation of 1-7Five is built upon a proven 20-year legacy of artistic excellence and community leadership. Founded by the five principal artists of 356 Art Gang, 1-7Five is the deliberate distillation of two decades at Manufacturers Village—a refined 26,000-square-foot facility engineered to support both the physical demands of modern studio practice and the broader contemporary art ecosystem.
Secured by a 15-year commitment in Little Falls, 1-7Five offers working artists rare long-term stability, specialized 2D and 3D infrastructure, and a rigorous peer network. Simultaneously, the facility serves as an essential hub for curators, gallerists, and art dealers—bringing together a high concentration of the region's most credentialed talent, NJSCA Fellows, and museum-collected artists for meaningful studio visits and critical discovery.
Meet the FIVE
Managing Partner
Christine Romanell
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.
Partner
Mona Brody
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.
Partner
Ruth Borgenicht
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.
Partner
Alex Schoenberg
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.
Partner
Jamie Levine
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.