Meet the Makers: Andrea Kang and Sad Salesman at FAO Schwarz NYC

At FAO Schwarz—30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan—a Q&A with Brooklyn artists Andrea Kang and Eric Althin turns the toy store's second-floor dance-on piano into a stage for stories, sketches, and signed collectibles. This event at one of New York's most iconic retail landmarks offers a rare chance to meet the creators behind Wonder Club and Blonks, small-art characters moving between gallery walls and pocket-sized toys. Arrive fifteen minutes before the listed start time and enter through FAO Schwarz's front doors at 30 Rockefeller Plaza; check-in happens near the giant piano on the second floor. A world-famous Toy Soldier will moderate the conversation, guiding questions about artistic process, design decisions, and the playful impulses that shape Kang's dreamlike characters and Althin's open-ended Blonks. After the talk, attendees may purchase items from the new Animal Afternoon collection and have them signed—an intimate memento of contemporary collectible culture. Andrea Kang's work blends soft nostalgia and subtle emotion; Wonder Club's creatures hint at quiet discoveries. Eric Althin, known as Sad Salesman, translates a simple, lovable silhouette into a toy that invites customization and imagination. Together they make an unobtrusive but powerful case for why collectible art toys matter: matter: they're personal, tangible connections to artists who often exist only on screens. This experience is notable for its setting as much as the artists. FAO Schwarz, founded in 1862, has been a New York fixture for generations, and its piano—immortalized in film and in front of tourists and locals alike—provides a theatrical backdrop unlike any gallery loft. Being in Rockefeller Center places this conversation within a living urban cultural complex, where public art, seasonal skating, and international visitors shape the audience. Practical notes: reservations are free but limited; book early to secure up to four spots per reservation. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and photo opportunities are limited to one per group to keep lines moving. This event suits collectors, families, and anyone curious about how small-format art translates into objects people live with. Why go? Beyond the signatures and selfies, this Q&A is an accessible way to watch artists translate concept into product, to hear about material choices and studio habits, and to leave with a signed piece of Brooklyn creative culture. For travelers who time it right, pairing the event with a visit to the Top of the Rock or a walk through Rockefeller Plaza turns an afternoon of shopping into a close-up lesson in contemporary toy-making and urban art. Expect a mix of local fans and visiting collectors; questions range from color palettes to production runs, and the artists often share sketchbook pages or anecdotes about studio experiments—small details that turn a toy into a story you can hold in your hands.