We’re building something new at 1065 Madison Avenue—and we want you to help shape it. Set in a beautifully restored 1890s townhouse on the Upper East Side, the Tulipán Foundation’s future home will open in late 2026 as a vibrant hub for Hungarian culture, cuisine, artistry, and innovation. But before the doors open, we’re inviting our community to play an important role in bringing the space to life.
One of the elements that will define our new space is a traditional Hungarian yurt—reimagined as an immersive, artistic centerpiece within the building. This yurt will serve as a gathering place and a symbol of cultural continuity, blending craftsmanship with storytelling. At this special event, you’ll have the chance to contribute to its creation by helping us felt a panel that will be incorporated into the yurt itself.
Stop by on Saturday, May 17, 2025, any time between 10:00am to 6:00pm for a unique opportunity to help create a lasting work of art for our new headquarters in the heart of Manhattan. As part of the Madison Avenue Spring Gallery Walk, we’re excited to bring the time-honored tradition of felt-making to life right outside our building, which is currently undergoing an exciting transformation. Drop by for a few minutes or stay as long as you'd like. All ages are welcome, and no experience is needed—just a little curiosity and a love for shared traditions.
In partnership with the Nádudvar Folk Handicrafts Vocational School—one of Tulipán’s grantees in Hungary—we’re inviting neighbors, friends, and families to take part in crafting a traditional felt rug. The panel our community creates will become a key part of a handcrafted yurt, which will serve as a beloved gathering space for workshops, exhibitions, and cultural events in our future home.
You may be wondering: why a yurt? These felt-covered dwellings were widely used by nomadic peoples throughout Asia, including the early Hungarians who migrated to the Carpathian Basin. For us, the yurt is both a nod to shared cultural roots and a symbol of hospitality. Built by hand using traditional methods, it’s a structure that brings people together—and we’re proud that it will be one of the first things to take shape in our new space.
As the day unfolds, you’ll have the chance to work alongside some of Hungary’s most accomplished feltmakers, including Mihály Vetró and Anikó Árvai—master artisans, educators, and longtime collaborators who have helped shape Hungary’s contemporary feltmaking movement. Mihály, Master teacher of the Nádudvar Folk Crafts Vocational School and a member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts, has trained generations of craft artists and studied with masters across Central Asia. Anikó, a celebrated feltmaker, weaver, and researcher, has spent over 25 years exploring traditional textile practices across Central Asia, the Balkans, and Northern Europe.
Throughout the afternoon, you’ll use age-old techniques to layer, roll, and bind wool into felt. As you work, you’ll hear stories of the craft’s history and its enduring role in community life. And just like in the villages where this tradition thrives, we’ll pause for tea and homemade snacks—because felt-making is as much about connection as it is about technique.
Come be part of something truly special outside our future headquarters. By inviting our community to take part in this experience, we hope to build a sense of connection and belonging—so that when we open, our space already feels like home to those who helped shape it.