WEDNESDAY, October 7, 2026 - Weekday Sketchers at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

 

Designed and built from 1955 to 1972, Lincoln Center is a cluster of buildings created for the performing arts. The “super block” is home to the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City Ballet, New York Film Festival, Lincoln Center Theater, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, a handful of restaurants and a public park (currently closed for renovation) - and much more. The complex’s many plazas reveal the extraordinary modernist architecture, designed over time by the leading architects of the day: Philip Johnson, Wallace Harrison, Eero Saarinen, Gordon Bunshaft, and Landscape Architect Dan Kiley, among others.

The complex has undergone extensive renovation over the past few years to make it more accessible and more inclusive. As was the fashion of the 1960s and 1970s, when it was built, Lincoln Center was walled off to the passing public, especially along north and west sides. Recently, those walls have been broken and entry points are visible and welcoming. (The southwest side, Damrosch Park, is currently under construction.)

DATE: Wednesday October 7, 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

TRANSPORTATION: Accessible by bus (M5, M7, M10, M11, M66 and M104) and subway (1 train to 66th Street)

HOST: Donna David 212 685 2930 (text is best)

MEET: Near the fountain in the middle of the plaza, Throw down approximately at 12:30, (most likely) in the area in front of the Library for the Performing Arts. 

NOTES:
-Water, bathrooms, coffee, food are nearby
-Some benches are around but a stool gives you more options.
-If it rains, there are plenty of covered walkways and overhangs.
-San Juan Hill: Before Lincoln Center existed, the area was known as “San Juan Hill,” a vibrant, diverse working class neighborhood. Blocks of homes and businesses were razed under the guise of “urban renewal.” Read more about the “Legends of San Juan Hill” on the Lincoln Center website.

Saturday 10/3/26: Weekend Sketchers in Forest Hills, Queens

 

Forest Hills Queens is one of New York City's most charming and visually rich neighborhoods. Forest Hills blends historic architecture, leafy streets, urban energy, and beautiful parks, offering endless inspiration for sketching. Our home base will be the historic Station Square, featuring cobblestone streets, clock tower views, outdoor cafés, and lots of local activity. Nearby you can see the outside of the historic West Side Tennis Club as well as Forest Hills Stadium, or take a stroll through the neighborhood where every block looks like it belongs in a storybook.

HOST: Charles Cannizzaro 914-552-3658
DATE: Saturday 10/3/26
TIME: Sketching 10am-3pm | Show and Tell beginning at 3pm.
SKETCHING LOCATION: 2 Station Square, Queens, NY 11375 will be our home base but I encourage you to venture out into the neighborhood.

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: At 3pm meet on the steps of the Long Island Railroad Station facing Station Square (I’m expecting all of our Long Island sketchers to be there for this one!!). Check with the host day-of for the exact show-and-tell location.
FOOD, DRINK, RESTROOMS, SEATING: There are benches and steps in and around Station Square. A stool gives you more options, especially if you want to venture out into the neighborhood. There are restrooms and food options throughout the neighborhood.

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.

10/16 NJ Sketchers at Clifton Arts

Please join us as we return to a delightful arts center and sculpture garden on Friday, October 16, at 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.  Clifton Arts Center is a sprawling property which houses police headquarters, a large variety of original sculptures, two historic barns, a senior center, and an arts center.  This municipal complex has an interesting history.  It began as a dairy farm in the 1800's, then 100 years ago was used as an animal quarantine station for camels, giraffes, musk oxen, and other hoofed animals.  

We will sketch outdoors from 10:30 to 12:30, then take a look at the current art exhibit at the the arts center, where we will have snack or lunch, then our throwdown.  There is a bathroom inside the arts center.  

Please meet in front of the arts center where the small troll statues sit in a garden, then you can spread out from there. Bring a stool.  

Time:  10:30 to 1:30

Where:  Clifton Arts Center and Sculpture Park

               900 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07013 - The city hall complex

Parking:  plenty, and free

Host:       Julia Bazaz - jazaz7658@gmail.com, or 551-206-1273

All levels welcome!

instagram: @njsketchers

 

10/10 NJ Sketchers at Art in the Park

Annual Art in the Park

Join us for an art-filled, food truck, and musical event in Van Saun Park, Paramus, New Jersey.

More than 100 visual artists from Bergen County will be sharing and selling their work, while we will be sketching them and other interesting subjects in this beautiful space. Bring a stool, your lunch, and water, but there will be treats to buy. Van Saun also has a zoo, a carousel, an old-fashioned kiddie train, a pond, and a pony barn.


DATE: Saturday, October 10, 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30am

LOCATION: Van Saun Park, Continental Avenue Entrance, Paramus, NJ 07652

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ehu86U1pYMNxaLTCA?g_st=ipc
Park in the first 2 lots.

Meet at the Carousel. Look for Julia wearing a straw hat and carrying a lilac beach bag.



RSVP to: Julia Bazaz

jazaz7658@gmail.com

(551) 206-1273

THURSDAY, October 1, 2026: WESTCHESTER SKETCHERS at D.I.G. Farm in North Salem

 

Since its inception in 2015, D.I.G. Farm has been blessed to call Ice Pond Farm in beautiful North Salem, NY home. They have hosted thousands of people including volunteers, youth groups, corporate groups, special needs organizations and the community at large on to the farm to learn about regenerative agriculture, what it takes to grow healthy food, creative ways to use and preserve the garden bounty and all about wild plants, herbs and mycology. 

HOST: Cathy Gutterman (914) 625-0766

DATE: Thursday, October 1, 2026
TIME: TIME: 10:00 AM 

LOCATION: D.I.G. Farm, 115 June Rd, North Salem, NY 10560 

DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//D.I.G.+Farm,+115+June+Rd,+North+Salem,+NY+10560

LUNCH: 12:30  PM followed by SHOW and TELL
NOTES:

• Parking is $10.00 per car

• Bring a stool for more options

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.

Saturday 9/26/26: Weekend Sketchers: Canceled due to Weather

 

The Elizabeth Street Garden is not in the cards for Weekend Sketchers this summer, as this is the second time we’ve had to canceled due to weather! Through a pleasant coincidence, the Weekday Group is scheduled to go to Elizabeth Street Garden this Wednesday, the 30th, so please join them if you are able. Here is the current schedule for October, subject to change. Always check the website, calendar, and follow us on social media for updates:

Oct 3- Forest Hills

Oct 10- The Intrepid from Pier 84

Oct 17- TBD

Oct 24- Coney Island

Oct 31- Ditmas Park/ Kensington

See you all next time!

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.

 

Over the years the Elizabeth Street Garden has been a favorite sketch site for our group.  Always threatened by impending development, we have gathered to say good-bye to this quiet corner of New York many times.  But this year is different.  Join us to celebrate the reprieve from demolition granted through hard work by many, many individuals and organizations.  Come and capture this unique spot in your sketchbook. 

DATE: Wednesday September 30 , 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

TRANSPORTATION: R, W TO PRINCE STREET, J, Z TO BOWERY OR 6 TO SPRING STREET

HOST: Lorraine Smith 929 614 1930

NOTES: 

There is NO food, water or bathrooms in the garden,  Access services in nearby businesses

There are seats in the garden but a stool gives you more options