Saturday, August 29^th at 10:30: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morris Township

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township offers sketchers a wonderful mix of architecture and nature. The centerpiece is the historic Frelinghuysen mansion, a striking Colonial Revival home built in 1891, with elegant columns, distinctive architectural details, and views across the Great Lawn and formal gardens. The mansion and its surrounding landscape provide plenty of opportunities to explore composition, perspective, and architectural details.

Beyond the mansion, the arboretum’s gardens, mature trees, winding paths, and seasonal plantings offer an abundance of natural subjects to sketch. Whether capturing the sweeping view of the estate, focusing on architectural details, or settling into a quiet garden corner for a botanical or landscape sketch, there are plenty of possibilities to discover throughout the grounds.

For more information see the website: Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum

DATE: Saturday, August 29th

STARTING TIME: 10:30 am; meet at the Haggerty Center and then you can spread out from there

LOCATION: 353 East Hanover Ave, Morris Township, NJ 07960

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING: no nearby trains; there is onsite parking

NOTES

• Please RSVP to Barbara at bat155155@gmail.com   
• Looking for us? Call or text Barbara at (862) 207-4279
• Bring a stool for the best options
• There is a bathroom onsite at the Haggerty Center
• We will conclude with a throw down to share our work around 12:30 pm. Feel free to bring a lunch  

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome.

Join the NJ Urban Sketchers as we make a visit to the Van Vleck House and Gardens at 21 Van Vleck Street in Montclair on Saturday, August 22nd.

This unique and well-tended property belonged to a Brooklyn family who bequeathed it to Montclair. It features a u-shaped Italianate villa, a children's butterfly garden, a wisteria courtyard, an azalea walk, and a visitor's center. There are many painterly subjects, and also nice pockets of shade. Bring a stool for greater choices.

RSVP and any questions to Julia: jazaz7658@gmail.com.

21 Van Vleck St, Montclair, NJ 07042

If you get lost, (551) 206-1273. Small parking lot on premises and free on the street parking.

We are scheduled to start at 10:30, but come at 10:00 if that's better for you, as Julia will be there early. The property is open from dawn to dusk.

 In an effort to help you plan to attend the upcoming events for the Weekday Sketchers, here is the schedule for the rest of the summer and the fall.  Look forward to seeing you at these events. Watch for weekly announcements with details about the meetings. 

Wednesday August 19 Woodlawn Cemetery

Wednesday August 26 Brooklyn Bridge Park

Wednesday September 2 Jefferson Memorial Library

Wednesday September 9 Great Hill, Central Park

Wednesday September 16 Bethesda Fountain, Central Park  

Wednesday September 23 Derfner Museum and Sculpture Garden (joint meeting with Westchester)

Wednesday September 30  St. Patrick;s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center (joint meeting with Westchester) 

Wednesday October 7 Lincoln Center 

Wednesday October 14 NY Botanical Garden

Wednesday October 21 Riverside Park, Pier 1 

Wednesday October 28 Elizabeth Street Garden

Founded in 1863, Woodlawn Cemetery is part of the historic cemetery movement in America.  It’s 300 acres will offer us multiple views of the Victorian era funerary architecture to capture in our sketch books.  The list of notable “residents” can provide a great opportunity to meander through the beautifully landscaped grounds looking for their resting places.   Additionally, Woodlawn Cemetery is home to some of the most notable trees in NYC. 

Information about Woodlawn Cemetery: https://www.woodlawn.org/

Link to notable residents : https://www.woodlawn.org/conservancy/notable-residents/ 

DATE: Wednesday August 19, 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

MEETING SPOT:  We will meet near the main gate on Bainbridge Ave. 

HOSTS: Carol Kreider 949 929 2616  Cathy Gutterman  914 625 0766

TRANSPORTATION

:You can travel by subway, Metro North train or car. .  If traveling by car, there is free limited parking available.

• Metro North: Exit at the Harlem Station.   You will be at the north end of the cemetery.  Use a local map to reach the meeting space at the main entrance on Bainbridge Ave.  

• Subway: Take the #4 train to the Woodlawn stop.  It is the last stop on the line.  The entrance is across the street. 

• Car: Please consult a maps program. Parking is available near the main entrance.

NOTES: 

Westchester sketchers please communicate with Cathy Gutterman

Weekday sketchers please communicate with Carol Kreider

Water and bathrooms are available in the building

There is no food service in the Cemetery.  Bring your own.

Bring a stool 

Saturday 8/15/26: Weekend Sketchers at Grant’s Tomb

 

Grant's Tomb is the largest mausoleum in North America, dedicated to the 18th President of the United States and prominent Union general during the Civil War. Designed by architect John Hemenway Duncan, it was completed in 1897 and features a neoclassical design with a large dome and two granite sarcophagi that hold the remains of Grant and his wife, Julia.

If neoclassical architecture isn’t your style, how about Gothic? Right across the street from Grant’s Tomb is Riverside Church, the tallest church in North America! Modeled after the 13th century cathedral in Chartres, France, the church and visitor center are open on Saturdays and you can take a tour to the top of the tower!

HOST: Rowan Bordewieck- 718-926-6855 (Text preferred)
DATE: Saturday 8/15/26
TIME: Sketching 10am-3pm | Show and Tell beginning at 3pm.
SKETCHING LOCATION: Riverside Drive and W. 122nd Street, NY, NY

MEETING SPOT: There will be no official meeting to kick off the day, join your fellow sketchers and just start sketching.
SHOW AND TELL LOCATION: On the front steps of the Tomb (or the nearest shady spot). Check with the host day-of for the exact show-and-tell location.
FOOD, DRINK, RESTROOMS, SEATING: There are restrooms and a bookstore in the visitor center across the street. There are plenty of food options in the neighborhood. There are benches and a low wall in the park surrounding the tomb, but a stool gives you more options.

About NYC Urban Sketchers Events: All are welcome–no fee, no registration. Just look for folks with sketchbooks at the meeting spot and say hello. If you have trouble finding us, contact the host; their contact info is in the NYC Urban Sketchers blog post for this event. #nycurbansketchers.

THURSDAY, August 13, 2026: WESTCHESTER SKETCHERS Plein Air Day at the Blauvelt Library in Rockland

Join the Westchester Sketchers at the Blauvelt Free Library for a day of painting both indoors and outdoors, capturing the history, character, and beauty of the library and its grounds.

HOST: Cathy Gutterman  (914) 625-0766

DATE: Thursday, August 13, 2026

TIME: 10:00 AM

LOCATION: Blauvelt Free Library, 541 Western Hwy S, Blauvelt, NY 10913. Phone: (845) 359-2811.

DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Blauvelt+Free+Library,+541+Western+Hwy+S,+Blauvelt,+NY+10913

NOTES:

• Bring your lunch and water or a drink.

• Dress for warm weather, bring a hat and sunscreen.

• Bring a stool for more options.

• There is parking behind the building.

• Restrooms are available.

Please RSVP to Cathy Gutterman at westchester@nycurbansketchers.org.

About NYC Urban Sketchers Events: All are welcome–no fee, no registration. Just look for folks with sketchbooks at the meeting spot and say hello. If you have trouble finding us, contact the host; their contact info is in the NYC Urban Sketchers blog post for this event.  #nycurbansketchers.

“Build it and they will come”  is an apt aphorism for the NYC HIghline. 

It was  an abandoned railroad line that was rotting away until some local residents saw the potential for regeneration of the elevated structure as well as the entire neighborhood.  Now one of the Must-Sees on every tourist’s list, the highline meanders from Gansevoort Street uptown to 31St street.

JOin us to capturing the foliage, the people and the vibe in your sketchbook. 

Karen will meet the group on the Highline at 10:30 AM where the elevator brings people up from 14th street.  Then everyone is free to find the spot that pleases them the most.  The group will meet up again at 1:00 PM at the large wooden stairs on the High line that look out at West 17th Street to share our sketches and discuss them.

For up to date information on where the entrances/stairs/elevators, and restrooms are located use this website:  https://www.thehighline.org/visit/#park-access.

DATE: Wednesday August 12 , 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

TRANSPORTATION:Any subway to 14th Street.  Then walk or take the cross town bus to 105y Avenue and take the stairs or elevator up to the Highline. 

HOST: Karen Scheetz  914-548-5699  Text only 

NOTES: 

Water and bathrooms are available 

There is limited food service on the HIghline but lots of outlets on the streets below.  

Lots of seating available or bring you stool