Snow Ball Gala 2025 Honorees
Art House is proud to honor Hudson County Executive, Craig Guy; Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival Producer, Eddie Baez; Executive Director at the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District (HDSID), Rachel Sieg; Artist, Curator, and Arts Advocate, Bryant Small; and President and CEO, Jersey City Medical Center RWJ Barnabas Health, Michael Prilutsky at the 2025 Snow Ball Gala. We applaud their commitment to the Jersey City arts sector and Art House's new Performing and Visual Arts Center.
Craig Guy
A Lifelong Hudson County Resident: Born in Weehawken and raised in Jersey City, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy has spent his entire life in Hudson County. He is a proud father and grandfather and a no-nonsense problem solver, who believes that county government must be instrumental in bettering the lives of people, especially those who need help most.
A Lifetime of Public Service: Craig has dedicated his life to public service. As a Jersey City police officer for more than 25 years, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant as he worked to keep the streets of his hometown safe and worked closely with community groups and civic leaders to foster good relations between the citizenry and those who are sworn to protect and serve. He then served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff to his predecessor for 21 years, working to improve public education, expand parks and open space, spur economic development, and enhance senior and veterans’ services. He led efforts at the County level to reduce the proliferation of illegal firearms and helmed the Hudson County COVID-19 vaccine task force.
Fighting For Hudson County: County Executive Guy has committed his administration to the goal of extending services and opportunity for every resident. Upon his election, he implemented a Vision Zero approach to traffic safety on County roadways, ensuring that safe, comfortable transportation is a right for everyone in Hudson County. He has allocated over $8 million to the Open Space Trust Fund, funding projects like safety upgrades, green space improvements, and playground enhancements. Guy hosted Hudson County’s first-ever Food Security Summit, and is committed to holding Resource Fairs in all 12 municipalities, which allows county staff to directly connect with the community.
Eddie Baez
A proud native New Yorker, made Jersey City his home in 2007. Alongside his husband Erik, Eddie co-founded Gayborhood Jersey City in 2009, an online Facebook group created to connect the LGBTQ+ and Ally communities, fostering friendships and building a supportive neighborhood in their new city. What began as a small social group with just a few hundred members has blossomed into a vibrant network of over 4,300 members in 2024.
In 2014, Eddie took the reins as the producer of the Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival. Under his leadership, the festival has grown into a month-long series of over 40 events in August, with additional programming throughout the year. Last year’s Pride Festival drew an estimated 20,000 attendees, marking it as a cornerstone of our community’s cultural landscape.
With over 30 years of service in the field of HIV/AIDS care, Eddie has dedicated his professional life to improving the lives of those living with HIV and at risk. His recent work with the Northeast Caribbean AIDS Education and Training Center has been instrumental in educating and empowering HIV service providers across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Today, Eddie embarks on a new chapter, aiming to launch a nonprofit that will support Pride and LGBTQ+ organizations, ensuring their continued growth and impact. His vision and commitment exemplify what it means to be a leader, a trailblazer, and a true elder in our community.
Rachel Sieg
Originally from Princeton, NJ, Rachel Sieg currently resides in Jersey City Hilltop
and has been serving as the Executive Director at HDSID for the past 13 years. In her role, Rachel is responsible for managing and fostering relationships between various stakeholders, including the HDSID Board of Directors, businesses, city organizations, city council, and the Mayor.
Rachel's leadership and dedication have been instrumental in the revitalization of the Historic Downtown corridor of Jersey City. Through her efforts, the HDSID has flourished and grown into the thriving organization it is today. One of her notable achievements was spearheading the Historic Downtown Farmers Market, which has evolved from a small initiative to a vibrant marketplace with over 25 vendors, attracting visitors and residents alike. Rachel has been a Commissioner on the ABC Board of Jersey City since 2021, and holds positions on the Board of Glamming the Warrior, a cancer awareness non-profit, and Whole Spectrum Autism, an autism acceptance foundation.
Rachel played a key role in transforming Newark Avenue into a pedestrian mall lined with local eateries and shops, as well as developing popular community events such as Groove on Grove, the artist & Maker Market, two Farmers Markets, and the Annual All About Downtown Street Fair. Additionally, she is actively involved in promoting various charitable causes, organizing ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and supporting local businesses within the district. Rachel's hands-on approach is evident as she regularly walks around the corridor, ensuring cleanliness, addressing the concerns of business owners, and fostering a positive environment for all.
Rachel Sieg's passion for community development, her strategic vision, and her unwavering commitment to the betterment of the Historic Downtown area have truly made a significant impact. Her leadership at HDSID has been invaluable, and her contributions continue to benefit the residents and businesses of Jersey City.
Bryant is a distinguished award-winning artist and curator recognized for his innovative and inclusive approach to exhibition design. His curatorial projects are known for their thoughtful curation, bringing together different mediums and styles in ways that provoke thought and foster dialogue among audiences. With a commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional curation and a focus on inclusivity, Bryant Small continues to shape the contemporary art landscape, making a lasting impact on both artists and audiences.
An advocate for artists, Bryant has supported numerous arts organizations as a leader and Board of Trustees member. He previously served as Co-President of Pro Arts JC for more than 5 years and Executive Director of Jersey City Arts Council. Bryant currently serves on the Board of Monmouth Museum and is an Adjunct Professor at Saint Elizabeth’s University. Bryant has been recognized as one of the Top Contemporary Artists of Today in Art Market Magazine’s Gold List, a two-time recipient of the Conception Arts Award for Excellence and the 2020 Jersey City Arts “Leadership Award” for his commitment and leadership in the Jersey City Arts Community.
Bryant Small is Co-Founder and Artist in Residence of Kaleidoscope.Art (KAAI Inc.) - a collaborative platform that gives artists the power of generative AI to create, protect and sell their work to their fans and followers.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Jersey City Medical Center, President, RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group and Executive Vice President, RWJBarnabas Health
Michael Prilutsky is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Jersey City Medical Center and an Executive Vice President of RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey's largest integrated healthcare delivery system with 41,000 employees, 9,000 physicians, treating more than three million patients annually. Mr. Prilutsky is also President of the RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, leading over 3,000 providers of the health system's multi-specialty group who offer coordinated, patient-centered care with convenient access in over 300 locations, statewide. Michael's visionary leadership and expertise has already shaped and elevated region's access to outstanding healthcare, with more on the horizon. Demonstrating this continuing commitment to excellence and growth, Michael represents RWJBarnabas Health in the groundbreaking SciTech Scity project, which aims to create a vibrant ecosystem for scientific research, innovation, and education for cutting-edge technologies in healthcare, education, and community development.
In Hudson County, Jersey City Medical Center is an anchor institution and has experienced remarkable growth under Michael's strategic leadership. The hospital has significantly expanded its service lines and footprint, including a $100 million emergency department with new operating rooms that doubled the size of both areas, the Lord Abbett Maternity Wing, the Center for Sleep Disorders, and the Madeline LoRe Fiadini Foundation Infusion Center. Michael also spearheaded a Hudson County partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey for a comprehensive center for cancer care. In 2023, he led the opening of two new ambulatory hubs in Hudson County at Exchange Place, along Jersey City's waterfront district, and in Hoboken, adding to four others opened since Mr. Prilutsky joined Jersey City Medical Center.
Michael's unwavering dedication to health equity has led to the establishment of crucial programs at the Medical Center, such as the Trauma Recovery Center and the Green Apple Rx Food FARMacy, which are actively addressing social determinants of health.
Michael is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the New Jersey Hospital Association's Finance Committee. He is also vice chair of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees.
With a robust background spanning over 25 years in the healthcare industry, Michael brings a wealth of experience to his role. Before joining Jersey City Medical Center, he held positions of increasing responsibility in several leading academic health systems in New York City, demonstrating his deep understanding of the healthcare industry.
Throughout his professional career, he has led clinical business units and strategic initiatives, from premier service line leadership to major ($450M+) information technology implementations, hospital mergers and acquisitions, and running one of the largest primary care networks in New York City.
Michael received his graduate degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas. He completed a Leadership Executive Program at Columbia University Business School and an American College of Healthcare Executives-accredited fellowship in the Veterans Affairs Medical System in Providence and Boston, where he dedicated a year to multiple initiatives to improve the effectiveness and availability of healthcare services to veterans.
Michael and his wife, Anna, have two children.