Weekday Sketcher at Piers 25 and26

OMG!!  There are two giant Sturgeons on Pier 26...

Lets' go catch them ......in our sketchbooks. 

Part of the Hudson River Park system, Piers 25 and 26 are two of the newly renovated piers in the system. At the end of North Moore Street, these piers have a host of active parks including the newly installed  Science Playground, featuring two giant sturgeons that you can walk through. Once a dominant species in the river, they were fished to extinction. This exhibits aims to teach about the demise of the fish and the resurrection of the eco-system of the river.  Good for learning about the health of the river and great for sketching!

Besides the two giant fish there is a mini golf course, climbing wall, skate park and volleyball court all offering the chance to practice sketching people in action.  Or try to capture the two docked boats: the Lilac, a steam powered lighthouse tender, and the Grand Banks, a beautiful old vessel turned into a restaurant.  Want more?  Try the scenes along the Hudson River or wander over to the nearby park with Tom Otterness's Real World figures.  

For more information about the Piers and Hudson River Park, click here: https://hudsonriverpark.org/the-park/piers-and-places/

For more information about the Pier 26 Science Playground (the sturgeons), click here: https://hudsonriverpark.org/activities/pier-26-science-playground/

THANK YOU to Kathi Gulotta for suggesting this location!

NOTES

DATE:  WEDNESDAY JULY 31, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  PIER 25 AND 26 

TRANSPORTATION: #1 TRAIN TO FRANKLIN ST.

Tom Otterness: Real World 

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCUrbanSketchers.org
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0554
• Water and Bathrooms are available
• There is no food service on this site.  Bring your own.
• Bring a stool for best sketching opportunities
• Bring a hat and sun screen

SATURDAY: Sketch the Grotto

 

Years ago I walked my dog in Central Park every day.  I thought I knew the park pretty well.  However if you had told me that there was an actual waterfall in the park, I’d  have been surprised.

Well, there are at least five waterfalls in Central Park, and all are completely man-made. Three of the most impressive waterfalls are located in the Loch, situated in the Ravine, the stream valley section of the North Woods. The water that flows through them is NYC drinking water, which comes from a 48-inch pipe hidden by the rocks at the Pool Grotto on West 100th Street, yet the waterfalls look very natural. Charming stone bridges cross the stream, and the area is cool and quiet. Watching the water gush down the giant boulders into dark ponds, it is easy to forget you are in the middle of Manhattan!

The Grotto is one of my favorite art spots in the park. Entering from 103 Street on the Upper West Side takes you through several gorgeous very sketch-able scenes before you even get to the waterfall.  There are loads of mature trees providing ample shade for us.  Prepare for a lovely day!

DETAILS

When:  SATURDAY, July 27, 2024 at 10 AM

Where: The Grotto in Central Park.    Enter Central Park at West 103 Street.  We’ll meet just inside the park by the entrance.  (see map below)

                 

Lunch: 12:00 Noon - There is a large shaded lawn that we pass on the way to the waterfall that is an excellent spot for lunch and our Show and Tell.  Bring your own food or depend on park vendors.  It’s a bit of a hike to get to Columbus Ave stores.  

Afternoon:  1 PM (approx) - Back sketching.

Show and Tell:  We’ll probably use our lunch spot  at 3:00 PM to share our artwork, tell stories, and talk about art supplies.

NOTE: 

-      Bring a stool if you have one, it always gives you more options. 

-      Anyone you see sketching is very likely in our group.

-      Prepare for sunshine

-      Bathrooms are nearby but it's a 10 minute walk uphill to get there (downhill going back!)

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

There are no fees.   

All drawing skill levels are welcome.

FRIDAY, July 26, 2024: Westchester Sketchers at the Harrison Library

 

We will be sketching in the charming Town/Village of Harrison - on the expanse of land and park directly in front of the Harrison Library (Halperin Building) and across from the Harrison Train Station.  What is there to sketch?  Quaint houses, a gazebo, war memorials, the train station, a municipal building, or people.  

    

DETAILS:

DATE: FRIDAY, July 26 2024

LOCATION: The park expanse between the Harrison Train Station and the Harrison Library. 

2 Bruce Ave, Harrison, NY 10528 Phone: (914) 835-0324.

DIRECTIONS by TRAIN (From NYC):
Metro-North New Haven Line from Grand Central Terminal to the Harrison Station. You will need to cross the elevated bridge over the tracks to reach the park in front of the Harrison Library. 

START TIME: 10:00 AM.  We will meet in front of the Library.

LUNCH: 12:45 PM, followed by SHOW & TELL. This is the social part of our day when we share our drawings, tips, and stories.  It is a time not to be missed.

NOTES:

• There is a deli on the corner of Harrison Avenue, within walking distance of the park.
• There is street parking near the private houses on Bruce Street, one-hour parking in front of the municipal building, and 2-hour parking in front of the train walkway.
• Harrison Library opens at 10:00 AM so you should be able to find parking in front of the library.
• There are seating options in the park and around the Library, but bring a stool for more options.
• In case of rain showers, we will head indoors to sketch in the Harrison Library or St. Gregory's Church on Halstead Avenue.

Please send questions, comments and RSVP directly to Marianne (mmilzoff@optimum.net). 

Looking for us?
Call/text: Marianne at (914) 355-6507.

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

 

Weekday Sketchers At Pier 57

Oh, the weather is so unpredictable ....let's go where we have choices indoors or out!

Pier 57 on the Hudson River will give us options for sketching indoors if it rains or outdoor if the sun shines.  The Rooftop Park will give us uninterrupted views of the river, New Jersey and Little Island. Indoors big windows will give us options if it rains.  The food stalls, the constant parade of people and the views will keep us busy even in bad weather. 

 Converted from an old Marine Terminal, Google has taking over the space and created something new and exciting in this city. (Which is a feat in and of itself!).  To learn more about the Pier 57, its history and conversion to an exciting multi-use location, click here: https://pier57nyc.com

DATE: WEDNESDAY JULY 24, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATON: PIER 57

                        25 11th Avenue  at approximately 15th Street

      We will meet in the food hall at the rear of the first floor if it is raining or on the roof if it is sunny 

TRANSPORTATION:  A, C, E or L train to 14th Street. 

                                    Then walk west to the Hudson River or take the crosstown bus 

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@nycurbansketchers.org
• Looking for Us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Water, food and bathroom are available.
• Buy lunch from the many food vendors or bring your own
• We will meet in the food hall toward the back of the pier if it is raining or on the roof if it is sunny.                          

SATURDAY: Sketch at our Famous Annual Picnic

 

New York, our home town, has three very impressive Botanic Gardens.  The New York Botanical is in the Bronx and is huge with vistas and views.  Brooklyn's Botanic Garden is a bit smaller but equally comprehensive.  The Queens Botanic Gardens is a small jewel, easily walkable with everything you'd want to inspire your art.  

For the third year we are holding our famous Annual Picnic there.  The 39-acre site features a rose garden, a bee garden, an herb garden, a wedding garden, perennial gardens; an arboretum; and an art gallery.  If we have rain, no problem, we've rented an indoor space to accommodate everyone.

The garden charges a $10 admission fee (click here).  We will have refreshments and drinks, but you should bring your own lunch or depend on the stores and shops in the neighborhood.

This is a fundraiser for us.  We have prizes donated by our generous sponsors, Blick, Daniel Smith, Etchr, Legion Paper, Strathmore, Stillman and Birn. We'll also have raffle prizes with cool things for artists, a “Garage” Sale of new and gently used art supplies. Please bring cash or checks for these items.

We will be doing a timed sketch crawl through the park organized by Mel Barranco.

DETAILS

What: NYC Urban Sketchers Third Annual Picnic Summer Celebration

Where: The Queens Botanical Gardens - 43-50 Main St, Queens.  There is a $10 entrance fee - tickets can be purchased here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-urban-sketchers-famous-third-annual-picnic-summer-celebration-tickets-902234225857?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-source=cp&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing

• Bring your receipt

When: Get there at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 20th, 2024. Sleeping late? Come anyway - we’ll be there.

Timeline: 

The garden is open 8am-6pm. You are welcome within that time. But our sketch event will be as follows:

10:00am: Official start to sketch event

11:00am: Raffle items on view and raffle ticket sales start, Garage Sale open.

12:00:  Lunch: Bring your own , or get lunch in the area, there are many choices!

1:00 pm-1:30 pm: Sketch Walk with Mel Barranco

2 :00 pm: Last call for bids. Refreshments

2 :45 pm: Winner announcements. Must be present to win.

How:

Directions by CAR:

Parking Garden Entrance (parking costs $10  in addition to the the admission fee) 42-80 Crommelin Street, Flushing

Midtown Tunnel — Tunnel to Long Island Expressway (East) to Exit 23 Main Street. Turn left onto Main Street. Follow to Dahlia Avenue and turn left. Dahlia Avenue becomes Crommelin Street. The parking lot entrance is on the left.

Triborough Bridge — Bridge to Grand Central Parkway to Long Island Expressway (East). Follow directions from Midtown Tunnel.

Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island — Belt Parkway or Jackie Robinson Parkway to Van Wyck Expressway to Exit 12A (College Point Boulevard). Follow College Point Boulevard to Blossom Avenue. Make right. Blossom Avenue becomes Crommelin Avenue. Make a quick right into the Garden’s parking lot.

Long Island — Long Island Expressway (West) to Exit 23 Main Street. Make right turn on Main Street. Follow to Dahlia Avenue and turn left on Dahlia Avenue. Dahlia Avenue becomes Crommelin Street. The parking lot entrance is on the left.

New Jersey — New Jersey Turnpike to George Washington Bridge I-87 south to Triborough Bridge. Follow directions from Triborough Bridge.

Upstate and Connecticut — Throgs Neck Bridge to Clearview Expressway to Long Island Expressway (West). Follow directions from Long Island.

Directions by BUS

Take Q44SBS or Q20A/B from the Bronx or Jamaica, or in Flushing.

Directions by TRAIN

Take the no. 7 subway or Long Island Rail Road (Port Washington line) to Main Street/Flushing.

Then, take the Q44SBS or Q20A/B bus, or walk eight blocks south to QBG along Main Street.

 NOTE:

-      Bring a stool if you have one, it always gives you more options.

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

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

 

Weekday Sketchers Event Canceled for Wednesday July 17, 2024

The weather forecast is for Wednesday is in the mid 90's with high humidity.  Not a good day to be out and about. Watch for announcements for next week's event. 

Weekday Sketchers at Teardrop Park

Nestled behind the World Financial Center in Battery Park City is a wonderful oasis filled with trees, waterfalls, waterslides, green lawns and shady nooks.  It is called Teardrop Park.  Come and climb the rocks, sit in the shady alcoves and marvel at how quickly the city falls away as we sketch this bucolic corner of the world. 

DAATE: WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  TEARDROP PARK

                            We will meet at the south end of the park. See note below

TRANSPORTATION:  ANY TRAIN THAT COMES NEAR THE WORLD TRADE CENTER

Teardrop Park





NOTES

• Please RSVP Directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCurbansketchers.org
• Looking for us? Call or Text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• We will meet at the entrance to the park at the south end of the park off River Terrace across from the Irish Hunger Museum.  There is an archway in the building next to the coffee shop. Wa;lk through the archway into the park   Or enter from Murray Street.  If you come later, just look for us. 
• Lots of benches but bring a stool for more options
• Water and Bathrooms are available
• There is no food service in the park but lots of vendors nearby, or bring your own.

 

 

Weekday Sketchers Event Canceled for Wednesday July 17, 2024

The weather forecast is for Wednesday is in the mid 90's with high humidity.  Not a good day to be out and about. Watch for announcements for next week's event. 

Weekday Sketchers at Teardrop Park

Nestled behind the World Financial Center in Battery Park City is a wonderful oasis filled with trees, waterfalls, waterslides, green lawns and shady nooks.  It is called Teardrop Park.  Come and climb the rocks, sit in the shady alcoves and marvel at how quickly the city falls away as we sketch this bucolic corner of the world. 

DAATE: WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  TEARDROP PARK

                            We will meet at the south end of the park. See note below

TRANSPORTATION:  ANY TRAIN THAT COMES NEAR THE WORLD TRADE CENTER

Teardrop Park





NOTES

• Please RSVP Directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCurbansketchers.org
• Looking for us? Call or Text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• We will meet at the entrance to the park at the south end of the park off River Terrace across from the Irish Hunger Museum.  There is an archway in the building next to the coffee shop. Wa;lk through the archway into the park   Or enter from Murray Street.  If you come later, just look for us. 
• Lots of benches but bring a stool for more options
• Water and Bathrooms are available
• There is no food service in the park but lots of vendors nearby, or bring your own.

 

If It Rains on Saturday

 

Re:  Saturday: Sketch the Red Hook Waterfront

When the event was posted, Saturday was supposed to be the best day of the week!  It looked like we'd have moderate temperatures with no sign of rain.   Twenty four hours later the forecast said there's a 65% chance of rain this Saturday.  

I'm not concerned - here's why:

1.  There is an IKEA store near the ferry.  IKEA opens at 10 AM when we arrive.  IKEA has a wonderful cafeteria.  If it's raining when we arrive, that's where we will go.  I have confidence in our creativity, if we spend the morning sketching in the cafeteria we will do some amazing work.

2.  The rain this summer has frequently been spot showers. The rain can be heavy but it's over quickly.  If that's the case we won't need shelter for long.

3.  The morning is dedicated to sketching the neighborhood, or IKEA Cafeteria view.  For the afternoon we are attending a gallery opening - Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition featuring work by some of our friends.

I'm  amending the NOTES section:

NOTES:

-      Bring a stool if you have one, it gives you more options.

-      Bring an umbrella

-      Hope for sunshine.

-      There are two ferries that go to Redhook, one charges a modest fee and runs frequently.  You will need to walk a few blocks to get to IKEA.  There is also a dedicated IKEA ferry which is free, stops closer to the store but runs less frequently. 

 

Tuesday, July 16, 2024: Westchester and NJ Sketchers Plein Air Day at the Orangeburg Library

 

The Westchester and NJ Divisions of the NYC Urban Sketchers have teamed up with the Orangeburg Public Library to provide a fun and relaxing drawing event ‘en plein air’ (in the open air.)  This this event is meant to be an opportunity for people to relax, create art and make new friends.  There will be no formal art instruction.  Please arrive with your own supplies such as paper, drawing materials and a surface to lean on.

At 10 AM there will be a quick meet and greet in front of the Library. From there, participants will choose a spot on the lawn (or anywhere in or around the building) and begin sketching/drawing their surrounding scenery. There is a rain garden and Camp Shanks for added inspiration. The group will break for lunch at 12:30 PM to enjoy lunch indoors followed by Show and Tell to share what everyone has created.

DETAILS

DATE: TUESDAY, July 16, 2024. Rain or Shine.

START TIME: 10:00 AM 

LOCATION:  Orangeburg Library, 20 S Greenbush Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962

Phone: 845-359-2244

DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Orangeburg+Library

Lunch: 12:30 PM.  The auditorium is reserved from 12 to 2 pm for everyone to enjoy their lunch and Show and Tell indoors.

NOTES: 

• Bring water and your lunch or a snack. 
• Bring a stool for more sketching options.

Please RSVP to Cathy Gutterman at westchester@nycurbansketchers.org

DO NOT reply to this email as your inquiry will go to a "dead letter" file. 

Looking for us? 

Call/text: Cathy at (914) 625-0766 or Margaret at 646-515-9913.

SATURDAY: Sketch the Red Hook Waterfront

watercolor by Thomas Morbitzer

Event suggested and planned by Shawne Cooper

Hop on a quick ferry ride and you’re transported to a world with a small-town vibe, waterfront sketching with expansive views of the NY Harbor and Lady Liberty, fresh lobster rolls, sublime key lime pie, and the opening of an exhibition of Coney Island art that includes work by a few of our friends. 

And, if you stick around after Show ‘n’ Tell, you can even mingle with mermaids.

Redhook Photo by Shawne Cooper

DETAILS:

What:   Sketch Red Hook via the NY ferry.

Question:  Do I have to get there by ferry?

Answer:  Absolutely not.  Feel free to meet us there!

Where:  The ferry leaves from Pier 11/Wall St (see map below)

When:  Be at the ferry dock in time to catch the 9:51 AM ferry. It’s 2 stops and 17 minutes total to Red Hook. (If you miss the boat, ferries run every half hour.) And don't worry about finding the others; if you see anyone sketching in Red Hook, chances are, they’re an Urban Sketcher.

How:   To get to the Wall St. ferry by subway:

· N, R, W to Cortlandt 

·  2, 3, 4, or 5 to Fulton 

· 2, 3 to Wall St.

· 4, 5 to Bowling Green 

· 1 to South Ferry 

NOTES:

-      Bring a stool if you have one, it gives you more options.

-      Prepare for sunshine.

 

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

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