Workshop: Building A Spiral of Attention with Nishant Jain - May 2nd at Bethesda Fountain

Have you ever been overwhelmed by busy scenes, thinking you must capture every detail? In this workshop Nishant Jain will show you how to start with the main point of interest and work outward in a spiral. As you go you will add detail based on your own interests, curiosity or creativity. The goal will be to help develop a confident, intuitive drawing practice, with reduced complexity and increased speed. 

Join Nishant Jain on May 2nd at Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, 10am-1pm. 

For information and tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985169411148?aff=oddtdtcreator

4/10 Friday NJ Sketchers at Branch Brook

This park has the largest collection of cherry trees in the NY Metro area....and they are all in bloom, right now!  There are scenes across the Branch Brook Lake with the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in the background. Or meander along the park walkways and find the spot that rings true for you. 

STARTING TIME: 11:00 AM

LOCATION: Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ 

Parking and bathrooms are there. The Light Rail stop is Branch Brook. It is a short walk to the meeting location. 

DATE: Friday, April 10, 2026

RSVP: Marie Stumbo 

mariestumbo87@gmail.com

585-749-2861

Saturday 4/4/26: Jane’s Carousel, Dumbo

What better spot to start our outdoor sketching season! This dramatic waterfront site is an urban sketching dream. Incredible views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, colorful horses in a historic 1920’s restored carousel, public sculptures, industrial buildings, cobblestone streets, etc, etc…. Voted the best public space by Travel and Leisure Magazine when it opened, there is lots to sketch…and that’s just at the carousel. Wander south under the Brooklyn Bridge and there is the adorable River Cafe Garden, the Fireboat House, ferries, cafes, and Brooklyn Bridge Park- Pier 1, with arguably even better views of Manhattan. The weather seems to be holding up, fingers crossed! (If it does rain, there is a Time Out Market next to the carousel. Hopefully we won’t need it)

HOST: Joana Miranda (414) 217-5624

DATE: Saturday 4/4/26

TIME: Sketching 10am - 3pm | Show and Tell beginning at 3pm. 

SKETCHING LOCATION: The Carousel is located in the DUMBO section of The Brooklyn Bridge Park, on the East River, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The Carousel is easily accessed from Park entrances at Dock Street or Main Street.

MEETING LOCATION: There will be no official meeting to kick off the day, join your fellow sketchers and just start sketching. If you are new, look for people with sketchbooks and say hello, we are a friendly bunch. 

SHOW AND TELL LOCATION:  Meet in the area on the river (west) side of the carousel, there are benches there. Check with the host day-of for the exact show-and-tell location.

FOOD, DRINK, RESTROOMS, SEATING: Yes to all. There are benches in the park, and a Time Out Market next to the carousel with food and restrooms. This will be our fallback if the weather turns.

ABOUT NYC URBAN SKETCHING EVENTS: All are welcome, no fee, no registration. Just look for folks with sketchbooks 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.

There are some places that we never tire of, the New York Botanic Garden is one of those magical places that keep us coming back time and time again. The Garden is just waking up from winter and early blooming plants are on display.  Join us Wednesday to wander the gardens and capture the magic in your sketch books.

DATE: WEDNESDAY April 8, 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  NEW YORK BOTANIC GARDEN

                        2900 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD

                        BRONX, NY

                      

TRANSPORTATION: There are multiple ways of getting to the NYBG by public transit, Metro North or car.  Visit the web site for the route that is easiest for you : https://www.nybg.org/visit/directions/

HOSTS:  Marianne Milzoff 914 355 6507 and Cathy Gutterman 914 625 0766

• Marianne will greet sketchers arriving by train at the Marsulu Entrance.  Cathy will greet sketchers arriving by car at the Parking Lot entrance. 

• . We will meet for Throw Down in front of the Conservatory at 1:30 PM 

• There is an entrance fee. HOWEVER entrance is FREE all day  Wednesdays for NYC residents, and free for non-NYC residents  between 10AM-11AM.

• Food, water and bathrooms are available. 

• Bring a stool, a hat and sunscreen.  

• You can use watercolors outdoors

• For additional information about the NYBG click here: https://www.nybg.org

Please RSVP to Cathy Gutterman 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.

Workshop: From Sketches to Stories with Shawne Cooper - Elizabeth Street Garden - April 26

Everyone has a story to tell - and sometimes, the smallest moments hold the most meaning.  This workshop invites you to slow down, notice what’s around you, and turn everyday scenes into rich, personal narratives. 

Together we will reimagine our sketchbooks as more than just to draw. They’ll becomes spaces to observe, reflect, and tell stories - where images and words come alive side by side. If you’ve ever wanted to add writing to your sketches but weren’t sure where to begin, this is a welcoming place to start. 

Using simple prompts, you’ll learn how to transform what you see into small, meaningful stories. Set in the beautiful Elizabeth Street Garden - a hidden oasis filled with charming details, unexpected characters, and inspiring scenes - you’ll have plenty to spark your creativity.

For information and tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985373701185?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Met Museum 

Islamic  

1000 Fifth Ave, 10028

TUESDAY, March 24, 2026 at 10:30 A

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a treasure trove of art in every dimension.  This week we will visit  the Islamic Collection. Explore the Moroccan Court, built on site by world class artisans, capture the ceramics and replicate the beautiful calligraphy in your sketch books. Meet Frieda in the Islamic Gallery on the second floor and join the group for a day of sketching.  Show and tell will take place in the educational area on the lower level near the 81St entrance. 

DATE: TUESDAY March 31, 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

TRANSPORTATION: 4, 5, 6,  to 86th Street.  Walk west to 5th Ave and then south to the museum t

HOST: Frieda Christofides 917 747 6060

NOTES: 

• There is an entrance fee $30  for adults and $22 for Seniors.  Various discount programs are accepted including the NYC Culture Pass, AAM etc 

• Be prepared to work in dry materials

• Water and bathrooms are available

• No food is allowed in the galleries

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.

Saturday 3/28: Weekend Sketchers at The National Museum of the American Indian

The NMAI is part of the Smithsonian Institution, and is dedicated to preserving and presenting the diverse cultures of Native peoples from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego. Designed by Cass Gilbert, the architect of the Woolworth Building, originally as the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, the building is stunning inside and out. A true a NYC Beaux Arts masterpiece.

HOST: Dan Honig (917) 843-5539

DATE: Saturday 3/28/26

TIME: Sketching 10:00am - 3pm | Show and Tell beginning at 3pm. 

LOCATION: The National Museum of the American Indian, One Bowling Green, Manhattan, NYC

MEETING LOCATION:  There will be no official meeting to kick off the day, join your fellow sketchers and just start sketching. If you are new, look for people with sketchbooks and say hello, we are a friendly bunch..

SHOW AND TELL LOCATION: Check with the host day-of for the exact show-and-tell location. 

VENUE RULES: Admission is Free. The only restriction I could find on the website was no tripods, but be prepared to sketch in dry media. Stools seem to be allowed. As always, please listen to the guards, we want to be welcomed back with open arms. 

FOOD, DRINK, RESTROOMS: There are restrooms in the museum. There are food options in the neighborhood. 

ABOUT NYC URBAN SKETCHING EVENTS: All are welcome, no fee, no registration. Just look for folks with sketchbooks 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.