Richard Rapaport is not your average artist. He was recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his discovery and practical application of a New Global Universal Multicultural Aesthetic Reading Logic of Thought, whose content of meaning is embedded in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His art uses a system of blending symbols, colors and linguistics that carry out the intention of bringing people of different cultures together. His designs are a hit among the political set. Richard transferred several of his creations to scarves and ties and has sent them to some of the most powerful people in the country, including Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Powell and New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton. All sent letters thanking him for the gifts. Both senators also wrote the White House asking that Richard’s application to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom be, in Schumer’s words, “given careful review.”

After earning his Master of Fine arts from Yale University, Richard’s began his career teaching art in a loft in Manhattan, where he became the first to teach training workshops for a division of handicapped students. Since then, his work has received global recognition. The Secretary General of the UN has an art piece of Richard’s titled “Fly in Peace,” on display in his office. His work has also been displayed in the Turkish Society Governor’s Mansion. Richard designs and creates silk scarves and ties for prominent professionals. While attending Club 21, Richard met a Yale Air Force Major who later hung his artwork in the Yale ROTC office.

In conjunction with Youth Icons Ghana, Richard recently held an exhibition in Ghana where students made art pieces representing their perception of what peace looks like. A vibrant organization committed to empowering the Youth of Africa, Richard’s association with its Director, Felix Sarpong resulted in the fulfillment of his dream to see his genre of art make its way to different continents. Richard’s overall dream is to see the UN International School have young adults make artwork of their perception of peace, and send the works to NASA international space station to project an exhibition of international peace from universal youth.

Richard divides his time between his artistic passion project and his role as Director of the company Component Assembly Systems, Inc. where he has been for 33 years. Component Assembly Systems is a carpentry, drywall, ceilings, millwork, and metal paneling subcontractor and is considered one of the largest specialty trade contractors on the East coast (and is in the process of expanding on the West Coast).