| The tale of Mirek Klabal is an amazing story | | | | friend, somebody who is there for you when |
| that can only happen in America. Mirek Klabal | | | | times are tough." Mirek Klabal is very |
| started out as a boy in Prague, dreaming | | | | interested in making sure his friends and |
| about the world of art. Even at a young age | | | | family are taken care of. Mirek Klabal always |
| Mirek Klabal had a passion for art. As a kid | | | | makes time for friends and family. Mirek |
| Mirek Klabal was always reading art books and | | | | Klabal likes to have big friends and family |
| going to art museums. Mirek Klabal studied | | | | gatherings at his house in Greenwich. The |
| art in college and told his parents that he | | | | barbeque and cocktails parties that he hosts |
| would find a way to make art pay off for him. | | | | at his house are legendary. |
| Boy did Mirek Klabal make good on that | | | | |
| promise. Mirek Klabal is one of the world's | | | | Mirek Klabal is an outdoor enthusiast; Mirek |
| most prominent art dealers. Mirek Klabal's | | | | Klabal likes to take trips to the country in |
| expertise is routinely sought out all over | | | | his free time. When Mirek Klabal goes to the |
| the world. That sometimes makes Mirek | | | | country he likes to ramble barefoot |
| Klabal's travel schedule hectic. Mirek Klabal | | | | throughout the land. Mirek Klabal really |
| has clients on every continent which is an | | | | enjoys when he travels to various horse |
| amazing feat, and it speaks volumes about the | | | | farms. Mirek Klabal likes all art; he has a |
| level of service Mirek Klabal provides for | | | | fancy for the modern masters but also has a |
| his clients. | | | | vast collection of various pictures of |
| | | | American landscapes. Mirek Klabal shows the |
| Mirek Klabal is living the American dream. | | | | essential mood of a country scene in the |
| Mirek Klabal is a living a lifestyle that | | | | various farm scene paintings that he keeps |
| people see in movies. Mirek Klabal has | | | | for his children. Mirek Klabal's fascination |
| obtained all the finer things in life. Every | | | | with the wild and grand aspects of nature is |
| day Mirek Klabal drives to office in a fancy | | | | evident. Mirek Klabal besides liking the |
| sports car. Mirek Klabal's office is the most | | | | modern masters the most, respects The "Hudson |
| stunning gallery in the land. Mirek Klabal | | | | River School". Mirek Klabal says Americans |
| has elegantly combined two apartments to form | | | | look at the landscapes in the painting as |
| an amazing gallery. Mirek Klabal has custom | | | | backgrounds in their own backyard, the |
| made floor and lighting. The gallery called | | | | wilderness is a symbol of America's unspoiled |
| MK Fine Arts is a thing of beauty. Mirek | | | | national character. Mirek Klabal loves nature |
| Klabal says his gallery makes him feel happy | | | | and is fighting for conservation in his |
| and productive. Mirek loves the hustle and | | | | native Connecticut. Mirek Klabal likes to go |
| bustle of making deals and acquiring "one of | | | | apple picking in the fall with his wife. |
| a kind" paintings. Mirek wouldn't trade his | | | | |
| job for any other in the world. Mirek | | | | Mirek Klabal is a very charitable man; Mirek |
| Klabal's company is called MK Fine Arts. The | | | | Klabal feels that you must be give back to |
| gallery is so modern looking and minimalist | | | | society. Mirek Klabal is very active in |
| it is a true delight to set foot in there. | | | | various charity organizations. Mirek has a |
| There is nothing else like it. When you walk | | | | few favorite charities. Mirek Klabal's |
| into the gallery you are engulfed by the soft | | | | favorite charity which he gives not only his |
| music that is playing and all the fine | | | | money but his time is Seeds of Peace. Seeds |
| paintings that you see. Mirek Klabal has a | | | | of Peace is dedicated to empowering young |
| huge inventory of paintings. The artists that | | | | leaders from regions of conflict with the |
| Mirek Klabal collects for his own personal | | | | leadership skills required to advance |
| collection are: Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, | | | | reconciliation and coexistence. Over the last |
| Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Andy Warhol, | | | | decade, Seeds of Peace has intensified its |
| Salvador Dali, Edgar Degas, Wassily | | | | impact, dramatically increasing the number of |
| Kandinsky, Gustav, Klimt, Joan Miro, Henri | | | | participants, represented nations and |
| Matise, and Jackson Pollack. | | | | programs. Seeds of Peace has focused |
| | | | primarily on bringing Arab and Israeli |
| Mirek Klabal is so happy that he made his | | | | teenagers together before fear; mistrust and |
| dreams come true in America. Mirek spends the | | | | prejudice blind them from seeing the human |
| weekends at his compound in leafy Greenwich, | | | | face of their enemy. Seeds of Peace goes |
| Connecticut, where Mirek Klabal mingles with | | | | beyond international agreements and treaties. |
| the upper crest of society. Now days | | | | It reverses the legacy of hatred by nurturing |
| Connecticut is surrounded by the hedge fund | | | | lasting friendships that become the basis for |
| billionaires. Mirek Klabal lives next to all | | | | mutual understanding and respect. By training |
| these new potential customers. Mirek Klabal | | | | these young leaders in conflict resolution |
| hopes the hedge fund boom continues as Mirek | | | | skills, Seeds of Peace helps them become the |
| Klabal says "Hey they pay lots of commission, | | | | seeds from which an enduring peace will grow. |
| they want the art they want and I facilitate | | | | Mirek Klabal spends a great deal of time |
| their art transactions." Mirek Klabal loves | | | | donating money and raising money for this |
| living in Greenwich; he says it is so close | | | | charity. |
| to the city but so far away. Mirek lives to | | | | |
| play tennis and golf. Unfortunately he has | | | | Mirek Klabal is involved with a charity |
| been so busy his tennis and golf game are not | | | | called the Children of Henry Street |
| where he wants them to be. That is the story | | | | Settlement Mirek Klabal was honored with a |
| with most successful businessmen like Mirek | | | | beautiful plaque from the Children of Henry |
| Klabal. They are driven by their passion and | | | | Street Settlement for giving a donation |
| in Mirek's case that passion is art. Art is | | | | enabling inner city kids the opportunity to |
| the essence of Mirek Klabal. | | | | spend time at a lake side retreat. Mirek |
| | | | Klabal said "It gave me great pleasure to do |
| Mirek is friends with all the famous tennis | | | | this, I was so happy after I saw how it |
| players from his native Czech Republic. | | | | benefited the kids." Henry Street Settlement |
| During the US open you find Mirek Klabal | | | | delivers a wide range of social service and |
| entertaining players, hosting players and | | | | arts programming to more than 100,000 New |
| watching tennis. Mirek Klabal always finds | | | | Yorkers each year. Distinguished by a |
| time out of his hectic schedule to watch the | | | | profound connection to its neighbors, a |
| US Open from his court side seat. He counts | | | | willingness to address new problems with |
| many professional tennis players friends such | | | | swift and innovative solutions, and a strong |
| as: | | | | record of accomplishment, Henry Street |
| | | | challenges the effects of urban poverty by |
| Thomas Berdych, a professional tennis player | | | | helping families achieve better lives for |
| from the Czech Republic. He turned | | | | themselves and their children. |
| professional in 2002. Tall and lanky, he is | | | | |
| known for his powerful ground strokes which | | | | Mirek Klabal is also involved in the annual |
| are created with little effort but his shots | | | | American Heart Association walk in Cape Code, |
| can be quite erratic at times. His biggest | | | | MA. Mirek Klabal says it is important to try |
| career win came at the 2004 Athens Olympics | | | | when possible to contribute to fighting such |
| where he defeated World No. 1 Roger Federer. | | | | a debilitating disease. The American heart |
| At the 2005 Paris Masters he won first career | | | | association helps fight against heart disease |
| ATP Masters Series title. En route to the | | | | and stroke. Over 1 million people die each |
| final he beat Jiřà Novák, 2nd seed | | | | year from cardiovascular disease. Mirek |
| Guillermo Coria, 13th seed Juan Carlos | | | | encourages people to have a healthier |
| Ferrero, 7th seed Gaston Gaudio, 8th seed | | | | lifestyle to mitigate the risks of heart |
| Radek Stěpánek, and 6th seed Ivan | | | | disease. Mirek Klabal says "Better lifestyle |
| Ljubičić. | | | | habits can help you reduce your risk for |
| | | | heart attack. This charity does great work |
| Other notable highlights of his 2005 season | | | | and I am glad to do my part." |
| included upsetting No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal in | | | | |
| the first round of the Cincinnati Masters, | | | | Mirek Klabal is involved with the Riverview |
| reaching the final of the Swedish Open, and | | | | School. Mirek Klabal and his family are |
| the semifinals in Washington DC. | | | | actively involved in this charity. The last |
| | | | few years Mirek Klabal has been one of the |
| In 2006, he reached his first grass court | | | | sponsors of the Gala Benefit Village of |
| final at the Gerry Weber Open, falling to | | | | Drams. This past year the proceeds from the |
| World No. 1 Roger Federer (0-6, 7-6, 2-6). | | | | Benefit went to enhance the technological |
| Another highlight of his year was his victory | | | | capacity in the campus and to support the |
| over Rafael Nadal at the Rogers Masters, | | | | Secondary School dormitory construction |
| beating the World No. 2 6-1, 3-6, 6-2. | | | | project. The Riverview School is an |
| | | | independent coeducation residential school |
| In October, Berdych reached his second ATP | | | | that provides a caring community for |
| final of 2006 in Mumbai. However, he was | | | | adolescents and young adults with complex |
| beaten by Dmitry Tursunov 6-3 4-6 7-6(5). In | | | | language, learning and cognitive |
| the ATP Masters Series tournament in Madrid, | | | | disabilities. The school is committed to |
| Berdych upset former World No.1 Andy Roddick | | | | developing student competence and confidence |
| 7-6(7) 6-3 to reach the quarter finals. He | | | | in academic, social, and independent living |
| then defeated Rafael Nadal 6-3 7-6(6) to | | | | skills. |
| reach the semi finals. | | | | |
| | | | Mirek Klabal also supports the ARC which is a |
| Berdych is now not well-liked by Spanish fans | | | | grassroots volunteer organization that works |
| for his altercation with Spanish sensation | | | | to improve the lives of people with special |
| Rafael Nadal in Madrid, in which the partisan | | | | needs. Mirek Klabal says "I just want to make |
| crowd jeered Berdych during points and | | | | a difference". |
| Berdych for hushing the crowd after he won | | | | |
| the match 6-3 7-6. Berdych never found his | | | | Many people believe that even the rich lack |
| rhythm in his semi final match against | | | | security of who they are and what they have |
| Fernando Gonzalez as he slumped to a 6-3 6-1 | | | | accomplished. To be taken seriously in our |
| defeat. | | | | society these days it is not enough to have |
| | | | money. To be a major player in society you |
| Berdych failed to defend his Paris Masters | | | | must navigate the art world. This is where |
| title after he lost to Dominik Hrbaty 6-4 1-6 | | | | Mirek Klabal comes into play. Mirek Klabal is |
| 6-2 in the quarter finals. In earlier rounds, | | | | the dealer to the stars. Mirek Klabal sells |
| Tomas defeated Olivier Rochus 6-7 6-4 6-2 and | | | | art to wealthy families, famous celebrities, |
| Robby Ginepri 6-3 6-3. | | | | governments and anybody with an eye and |
| | | | wallet for art. But as Mirek Klabal says |
| Tomas Zib is a male tennis player from the | | | | don't forget your checkbook, as good art is |
| Czech Republic. He reached a career high | | | | not cheap. Spending $10 million dollars for a |
| ranking of 51 in 2005, and is ranked #70 in | | | | painting from Mirek Klabal is not uncommon. |
| the world as of January 16, 2006. Zib has | | | | Mirek Klabal says when the newly rich buy art |
| earned more than $975,000 in prize money, and | | | | they value art as a passionless commodity to |
| plays right-handed. | | | | conquer and control. Mirek Klabal says this |
| | | | is one of the main reasons for the rapid |
| Mirek Klabal loves when his tennis player | | | | increase in the price of art in the last few |
| friends come in to New York. He feels as | | | | years. There has been a recent rise in the |
| though it is his obligation to host them. It | | | | price of art because the global economy has |
| gives Mirek Klabal great pleasure and extreme | | | | been doing well. Mirek Klabal says between, |
| nationalistic pride of his native Czech | | | | the Russian oligarchs, Indian entrepreneurs, |
| Republic to see the tennis scene evolving in | | | | Chinese businessman, and hedge fund |
| the Czech Republic. Mirek Klabal feels it is | | | | billionaires. |
| his civic duty to look at for the players and | | | | |
| assist them in any way possible. Mirek Klabal | | | | Over the past thirty years Mirek Klabal has |
| is influential in raising the profile of his | | | | been in the art business. Mirek Klabal is |
| tennis player friends in the US. | | | | credited with being a pioneer in the art |
| | | | world. Mirek Klabal operated art partnerships |
| Mirek Klabal says growing up in Eastern | | | | for purposes of investing in art before it |
| Europe he could never have imagined that he | | | | was in vogue. Mirek Klabal has traveled the |
| would live how he lives currently. Mirek | | | | world in pursuit of art business |
| Klabal says doing business in Eastern Europe | | | | opportunities and for the love of art. Mirek |
| is so difficult because there is so much red | | | | Klabal co-developed many art shows in the |
| tape and greatly enjoys the transparency of | | | | last 20 years. The art shows that Mirek |
| working in America. Mirek Klabal hardly ever | | | | Klabal has produced are from world famous |
| goes back to Eastern Europe. Mirek Klabal | | | | artists such: Challgal, Picasso, Monet and |
| says New York is his home! Mirek Klabal says | | | | Warhol. Mirek Klabal aggressively pursues the |
| he loves the energy of New York. Mirek Klabal | | | | challenges associated with making art |
| says there is so much creative energy, and | | | | available to kids in the inner cities. |
| New York has such a great vibe. That vibe is | | | | |
| what makes New York City the best place on | | | | I will leave with this note, Mirek Klabal, is |
| earth to live. | | | | a passionate, articulate, caring and giving |
| | | | man who treats every day as a gift. Did I |
| Mirek Klabal has great friends and they have | | | | forget to mention he is an art dealer |
| stood by him through thick and thin. Mirek | | | | extraordinaire? |
| Klabal says "that is what makes a good | | | | |