Mason is a local Brooklyn dad with a love for art, hands-on projects, and bringing people together through creativity. With Brooklyn Art Garden, he hopes to share that passion with the community by creating a welcoming space where kids can explore their imaginations, adults can discover their creative side, and neighbors can come together to make something beautiful.

Creativity and community have been part of Mason’s life from the very beginning.

His mother founded Childventure, a children's museum and preschool outside Philadelphia, where Mason spent much of his youth immersed in a world of art, play, and discovery. Growing up, he helped out at Childventure, including working at children's birthday parties, where creativity and celebration went hand in hand. Those early experiences helped shape his appreciation for the magic that happens when children are given the freedom to explore, experiment, and make something of their own.

Mason has also spent the past 15 years working in food tours as a tour guide and Operations Manager with Foods of NY Tours, sharing his love of New York’s food culture and helping guests discover the people, flavors, and stories that make the city special. As he begins this new chapter with Brooklyn Art Garden, he looks forward to bringing that experience into the studio through food-centered gatherings, curated art dinners, and unique experiences that combine art, food, and community.

Having spent many years working in hospitality and guest experiences, Mason understands the importance of making people feel welcome, connected, and cared for. He has a BA in Theater from Ithaca College, MBA from Arcadia University, a trained actor with experience in theater, film, and television, and a member of AFTRA/ Screen Actors Guild. His creative pursuits extend to playwriting, where he collaborates with his artist brother, Damon, on plays inspired by art.

When he isn't bringing people together, Mason loves making art himself. He's especially drawn to working with resin and creating collages from baseball cards, finding inspiration in unexpected materials and the possibilities of transforming everyday objects into something unique. His approach reflects what Brooklyn Art Garden is all about: experimenting, getting your hands dirty, thinking outside the box, and discovering the joy of making.

Through art classes, workshops, and special community events, Brooklyn Art Garden celebrates the joy of creating while introducing families to some of Brooklyn’s most inspiring art teachers, artists, and artisans. Mason hopes to build a space where children, adults, and neighbors of all backgrounds can learn something new, connect with one another, and share in the creative process.

Art is in Mason’s blood.

His grandfather, Si Lewen, was a prolific New York City modern and contemporary artist whose career spanned decades, from the 1950s through the 1980s. His work was exhibited in galleries, and he taught art at Cooper Union and SUNY New Paltz. Si created art every day of his life, from the age of five until he was 97, leaving behind an extraordinary body of work that tells the visual story of his life and experiences.

A World War II veteran who witnessed the aftermath of the Holocaust, Si created The Parade, a powerful graphic novel exploring the horrors of war and its endless cycle. His work and legacy continue to resonate through There Are No Words: Si Lewen’s Parade at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Beyond his artistic achievements, Si believed deeply that all children possess a natural curiosity and the ability to create. They simply need the space to explore, the freedom to experiment, and the materials to get from point A to point B.

That belief is at the heart of Brooklyn Art Garden.

Inspired by generations of creativity in his own family, Mason hopes to carry his grandfather’s philosophy forward by creating a place where curiosity is encouraged, self-expression is celebrated, and there are no wrong ways to make art. A place where kids can discover what they're capable of, adults can reconnect with their imaginations, and the community can grow together through the joy of creating.

For Mason, Brooklyn Art Garden is about more than art. It's about being friendly, making people feel at home, celebrating local talent, and creating experiences that bring people together. From kids' art projects and adult workshops to curated art dinners and food experiences, his vision is to create a gathering place where creativity takes many forms and everyone has a seat at the table.

Come make something with us. There's a little artist in everyone.