Saturday 5/2/26: Central Park: Bandshell Area and CP Dance Skaters

 

The Central Park Bandshell is right in the center of lots of great sketching. The Bethesda Fountain, The Lake, The Central Park Boathouse, etc, are all just north… the Mall and Literary Walk, filled with statues, vendors, and artists, are just south… but the reason for our visit to this area is to sketch the Central Park Dance Skaters. CP Dance Skaters are a legendary, vibrant, long standing skating community that gathers weekly in Skater’s Circle for free open-air roller dance sessions with live DJ music. DJ Kervyn Mark and DJ Monday Blues will be spinning on Saturday starting at 2:45.

Please note that this event has a later time than usual to allow time to capture the skaters. We will sketch around the greater Bandshell area starting around 11am (no formal meeting). At 2:45 we will move over to Skater’s Circle to capture the action, and return back to the Bandshell for a show-and-tell at 4:00. The skaters skate until 6:45 if you would like to return back to continue sketching them.

Bring your skates!!

HOST: Charles Cannizzaro (914) 552-3658
DATE: Saturday 5/2/26
TIME: Sketching 11am - 4pm | Show and Tell beginning at 4pm.
SKETCHING LOCATION: Central Park Bandshell- (center of the park just south of the 72nd street traverse)

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: The benches around the Bandshell. Check with the host day-of for the exact show-and-tell location.
FOOD, DRINK, RESTROOMS, SEATING: There are benches and public restrooms. There may be food vendors around the area, but there are no restaurants or shops in the immediate vicinity.

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.

SATURDAY May 2, 2026: WESTCHESTER SKETCHERS Exhibit and Sketch at Union Church of Pocantico Hills in Tarrytown

 

The Westchester NYC Urban Sketchers and Lumina Arts at Union Church of Pocantico Hills present "Lightlines," a show inspired by open drawing sessions held on the Church's grounds. Through these meetups, artists of all skill levels re welcomed to this historic site to draw inspiration from the renowned stained glass windows by Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse -- translating light and color into expressive works on paper. 

Please join us for this unique opportunity to meet the artist in residence and view her studio, to sketch the exterior of the Church, and to view your fellow sketchers interpretations of the beautiful stained glass windows and other inspiration they found at this magical place.

HOST: Cathy Gutterman (914) 625-0766

DATE: Saturday, May 2, 2026

TIME: 11:00 AM to 3 PM

LOCATION: Union Church of Pocantico Hills, 555 Bedford Rd, Tarrytown, NY 10591

DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/place/555+Bedford+Rd,+Sleepy+Hollow,+NY+10591

NOTES:

• Please carpool if possible. Parking is free, but limited.

• Bring a stool if you want to sketch outdoors. There will be no sketching in the Chapel.

• 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.

 

Weekday Sketch at Macy's Flower Show

Macy's Flower Show

West 34th Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.

It's Macy's Spring renewal: planters, arrangements, bird houses, and real and artificial and even yarn flowers in every direction in the cosmetics department on the first floor.  Enter from 34th Street or Broadway.  Bring a stool.  Food and water and bathrooms are available. Meet Muriel inside the Broadway entrance. (See orange pointer on map below)

DATE: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

TRANSPORTATION: 1, 2, 3 to 34 Street Penn Station; W,R,N,Q to 34th Street Herald Square;A,C,E to 34 St Penn Station; PATH to 33 St.

HOST: Muriel Appelbaum (347) 225-1402

NOTES:

Come at 10 if you can -- it will be less crowded.

Food, water, bathrooms are available.

       Bring a small stool.

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.

Weekend Sketchers- Saturday 4/25/26: Grand Central Terminal

 

Grand Central Terminal is one of New York City’s most beautiful and historically significant landmarks, celebrated for both its architectural grandeur and its role in shaping modern urban life. Opened in 1913, the terminal was designed in the Beaux‑Arts style by architects Reed & Stem and Warren & Wetmore. It symbolized a new era of rail travel—one that emphasized elegance, efficiency, and civic pride. Today, Grand Central Terminal is both a working transportation hub and a cultural icon. Its blend of monumental architecture, rich history, and constant human motion makes it a powerful symbol of New York City.

**Please note- Due to the weather forecast for Saturday, this is a change from the originally scheduled location shown in the Calendar of Events. GCT gives us great indoor and outdoor sketching options. Hopefully the weather allows some outside time. Greenwood Cemetery, which does not have a viable indoor option, will be rescheduled to a later date.

HOST: Susan Toplitz (631) 948-3233

DATE: Saturday 4/25/26

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

SKETCHING LOCATION: Grand Central Terminal- 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY

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 Biltmore Room, which is on the west side of the main concourse level, in front of Tracks 39-40. Check with the host day-of for the exact show-and-tell location.

FOOD, DRINK, RESTROOMS, SEATING: There are public restrooms, shops, and restaurants throughout the Terminal. Seating is very limited inside, so a stool might be a good idea.

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.

SUNDAY, April 26, 2026: Special DAY in NYACK for ALL NYC Urban Sketchers

 

Come join your fellow sketchers for a day in Nyack, Edward Hopper’s hometown. Begin the day with a visit to the Hopper House, take a tour, and do some sketching around the Museum and in town. Meet later at the Nyack Library for Show and Tell. View the Library’s “Hopper's Nyack Sketch Mob Exhibition” and hear the Panel Discussion “Public Sketching: Hopper's Sketch Mob and Urban Sketchers: How Art Making Becomes Community Building.” Representatives from the NYC Urban Sketchers will be on the Panel.

HOST: Cathy Gutterman (914) 625-0766

DATE: Sunday, April 26, 2026
MORNING START TIME: 10:00 AM Meet at the Hopper House.

LOCATION: Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center, 82 N Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960. Phone: 845-358-0774. 

DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Edward+Hopper+House+Museum+%26+Study+Center,+82+N+Broadway,+Nyack,+NY+10960 

AFTERNOON SHOW and TELL: 1:00 PM Meet at the Nyack Library 59 South Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960. Registration recommended: https://www.nyacklibrary.org/eventscalendar.html#/events/u93bew3nkQ/instances/dbrd3DRtZi/

PANEL DISCUSSION starts at 1:30 PM.

NOTES:

- Find parking on the street. 

- Lunch on your own. Bring your own or purchase from one of the many options in town.

- Bring a stool.

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.

May 2 - Building a Spiral of Attention with Nishant Jain

 

Attend this workshop on May 2 and you'll have a chance to win a copy of Make (Sneaky) Art, by workshop instructor Nishant Jain. 

Nishant’s art revolves around a curiosity for urban life, and how cities allow strangers to coexist in harmony. His book, Make (Sneaky) Art, offers ideas and techniques to build a sketchbook habit based upon mindfulness and observation of one’s environment. Nishant lives in beautiful British Columbia, with his wife and a baby boy whom he draws everyday.

Join him on May 2 at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. 

Purchase tickets on Eventbrite here. 

***

 The forecast for Wednesday is grim for outdoor sketching…..BUT it is always sunny on Sesame Street!

Join us this week as we take shelter from the rain in the indoor atrium on the corner of Madison Ave and 57Street,  behind Tiffany and the Trump Bld.  This large plant filled atrium is now “visited” by many of the characters from Sesame Street and some very large animals. The installation is called “The Power of Togetherness” and will provide great subjects for your sektchbooks.  

DATE: Wednesday, April 22,  2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

TRANSPORTATION: N, R, W to 59th and Lex or E, F to 5th Ave/53rd St

HOST: Mila Genkin 718-909-3606

NOTES: 

• Plenty of seats available but a stool is a good idea. 

• Food, water and bathrooms are available

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, April 23, 2026: WESTCHESTER SKETCHERS at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck

 

Harbor Island Park is by far the gem of Mamaroneck with its historic landmark, plenty of open space, surrounded by greenery, a wonderful beach, and water park and playground for kids, and, of course, boating, including a launching area, docks, and fishing floats. So many interesting sites and things to sketch!

HOST: Cathy Gutterman (914) 625-0766

DATE: Thursday, April 23, 2026
START TIME: 10:00 AM Meet at the Welcome to Harbor Island Park sign near the parking area. 

LOCATION: Harbor Island Park, 123 Mamaroneck Avenue. Use the entrance at Mamaroneck Ave. and Boston Post Road. 

DIRECTIONS: https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/harbor-island-park-265782072 

TRANSPORTATION from NYC: Take the Metro-North New Haven Line to the Mamaroneck Train Station. Walk east along Mamaroneck Ave. about 5 blocks to the Park at the intersection of Boston Post Road. Please call Marianne (914-355-6507) to arrange for pick up and ride to the park.

LUNCH: 12:30 PM Bring your own or shop for possibilities on Mamaroneck Avenue. 

SHOW and TELL: Following lunch, we'll share stories and sketches during the social part of our day.

NOTES:

- The park has free admission, free parking (off-season), and restrooms. 

- Bring water, sunscreen and bug spray.

- 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.

  

Oh, the hidden surprises in NYC!  Join us this week as we visit the West Side Community Garden for the Tulip Festival.  (hopefully Mother Nature is cooperating with us!) Bring your brigjhtest colors and capture the splender of thousands of vibrant blooms in your sketchbooks.  AND, walk across 90th street to the Stovala Playground to see and sketch the mid-centry artists’playground installation and the miniature horses installed along 91st. 

DATE: Wednesday April 22,, 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

TRANSPORTATION: B,C train to 86th Street

HOST: Mila Genkin. 718-909-3606

NOTES: 

• Plenty of benches but a stool is always helpful

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 4/18/26: Roosevelt Island Promenade

The Roosevelt Island Promenade is a scenic riverwalk down the eastern and western lengths of Roosevelt Island with incredible views of Manhattan and Queens. The areas South of the tram contain many parks and open spaces where you can sketch on benches under shade trees. At the southern tip of the island is Four Freedoms Park, with views of Manhattan and Long Island City in Queens. There is also the Cornell Tech Campus, and the historic ruins of the Smallpox Hospital serving as a haunting reminder of the island’s past.

Areas north of the tram are more city like, with sights including Blackwell House, and Main Street with shops and restaurants. Further north The Octagon, opened in 1839 as the “Municipal Lunatic Asylum,” was believed to hold healing properties for the “mentally insane and physically sick”. Lighthouse Park is located at the norther tip of the island featuring a 19th century lighthouse and panoramic views of the surrounding area.

HOST: Susan Toplitz (632) 948-3233
DATE: Saturday 4/18/26
TIME: Sketching 10am - 3pm | Show and Tell beginning at 3pm.
SKETCHING LOCATION: Roosevelt Island Promenade- Let’s use the area in front of the Tram as our home base.

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 in front of the Tram and Visitor Center. There are benches on the side of the Tram building. Check with the host day-of for the exact show-and-tell location.

FOOD, DRINK, RESTROOMS, SEATING: Yes to all. There are benches, public restrooms, shops, and restaurants throughout the island.




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.

4/24 Friday NJ Sketchers at Mitsuwa

  

Sketch with us in Edgewater.

Sketch Mitsuwa Marketplace and/or the views of NYC across the Hudson River.

Time: 10:30am. Meet at the store entrance. Gather for lunch/throwdown at 12:30 in the food court.

Location: Mitsuwa Marketplace, 595 River Road, Edgewater, NJ 07020

There is plenty of free parking.  After you park your car, there is a paved pink sidewalk on your left.  Walk towards the river and you will see the entrance on your right.

If it's a good weather day, we have the option to sketch outside facing the NYC skyline. Bring a stool for river sketching.  Plan on buying coffee and/or lunch.  There are many delicious options.  We can also do some food paintings.   

RSVP to: Julia Bazaz 

jazaz7658@gmail.com

(551) 206-1273

instagram: @njurbansketchers

All welcome, no fees to attend

BONUS for People Attending Workshop: Building A Spiral of Attention with Nishant Jain - May 2nd

 

THURSDAY, April 16, 2026: WESTCHESTER SKETCHERS at Lasdon, Park, Katonah

 

Lasdon Park, Arboretum, and Veterans Memorial is a magnificent 234-acre property consisting of woodlands, open grass meadows, and formal gardens.  During this season, there is so much to inspire your sketches, including the beautiful colors of the many flowers, shrubs, and historic trees which adorn the property.

DETAILS:

HOST: Cathy Gutterman (914) 625-0766

DATE: Thursday, April 16, 2026
START TIME: 10:00 AM Meet at the Upper Parking Lot entrance.
LOCATION: Lasdon Park, Aboretum, and Veterans Memorial 2610 Amawalk Road (Route 35) Katonah, NY 10536 https://www.lasdonpark.org/

DIRECTIONS: https://www.lasdonpublicgardens.org/directions/

Transportation from NYC: Metro-North Harlem Line to Southeast - get off at the Katonah Station.

The 8:43 AM peak train from Grand Central arrives in Katonah at 9:51 AM.

Please call Marianne to arrange for pick up and ride to the garden.

LUNCH: 12:30 PM Bring your own. Meet on the patio Conservatory Plaza near the gift shop.  

SHOW and TELL: Following lunch, we'll share stories and sketches during the social part of our day.

NOTES:

- The park has free admission, free parking, and restrooms. 

- Bring water, sunscreen and bug spray.

- 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.

 Weekday Sketchers At Central Park Reservoir for Cherry Blossoms

They are back: big, puffy and pink!

What makes them so appealing? Is it the bright color, the abundance of flowers, a view of spring against the still wintery landscape, or the symbolism of a change in season?  Whatever makes them attractive really doesn't matter. It is that they are here that makes us want to get out and sketch them, paint them and capture the moment in our books.

Join us this week as we begin our journey around the city to find the beautiful spring blooms. .  This week we will gather in Central Park on the west side of the reservoir where there is a grove of trees just ready to burst open.  

For more information about the cherry trees in Central Park, click here: https://secretnyc.co/central-park-cherry-blossoms-map/

DATE: WEDNESDAY APRIL 15, 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: CENTAL PARK

                      West side of the reservoir at approximately 88th Street     

                      See map below

TRANSPORTATION: B OR C TRAIN TO 86TH STREET

HOST:  CAROL KREIDER 949-029-2616

NOTES

• Bring a stool.
• Water and bathrooms nearby.
• No food service in this part of the park. Bring lunch or purchase it on you way.

Saturday 4/11/26: Weekend Sketchers at The Cloisters and Fort Tryon Park

 

The temperature forecast for Saturday has been climbing, but still seems to be hovering around 60 degrees, so let’s use The Cloisters as our home base, and you can venture out into Fort Tryon Park if it warms up. The Cloisters also has outdoor spaces, aka “cloisters”, so you can sketch outside until you get cold and them pop inside to warm up. An ideal location for early spring sketching. 

The Cloisters is a division of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a collection of Medieval architecture, sculpture and decorative arts… this is one of NYC's gems. 

Fort Tryon Park has views of the Hudson River and GW Bridge, beautiful flower gardens, and views of The Cloisters that make it seem as if you are in the French Countryside.

Host: Helene Lacaille 202-320-2166
Date: Saturday 4/11/26
Time: Sketching 11am - 3pm | Show and Tell beginning at 3pm. 
Location: The Cloisters, 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, New York, NY 10040

Meeting spot:  Join your fellow sketchers in the Main Hall at the top of the entrance steps at 11am. Running late? Come anyway, we will be there. 
Show and Tell location: Last time we met in Gallery 6, the Pontaut Chapter House, which had good seating, so let’s plan to meet there. Check with the host day-of for the exact show-and-tell location. 

ADMISSION FEE: General Admission is $30, $22 for seniors. NYS residents and students are pay-what-you-wish. Discounts are available for Affiliations and Community Partners, go to their website for more information.
VENUE RULES: In the museum, sketching is permitted only in pencil. Other marking materials such as paint, charcoal, and markers are not allowed. Water is allowed in a secure bottle, no food or drink. Small backpacks are allowed, no tripods.  As always, please listen to the guards, we want to be welcomed back with open arms. 

Seating:  There is some seating throughout the museum. A stool gives you more options.
Food, drink, restrooms: There are restrooms and water fountains. The website says the Cafe is opening on Saturday. 

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.