Weekday Sketchers at Surrogates Court 

Is it possible that M C Escher got his idea for his famous staircase from the Surrogate Court's lobby? 

Join us this week as we explore the intricate lobby of the NY Surrogates Court. This beautiful Beaux Arts building's has been the setting in many movies and TV programs (think about Law & Order's opening scene).  With its many intertwined staircases, arched balconies, mosaics, glass ceiling and marble columns, there will be plenty to sketch.....if you can untangle it all!

Added Bonus:  FYI. The NYC Archives is located in this building.  Usually there is an interesting display in the office.  https://www.archives.gov/nyc

If the weather cooperates, (forecast is for sunny and mid 60's) we will be able to sketch the facade of the building with its French Chateau influence, statues and adornments. 

DATE: WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2023

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  MANHATTAN SURROGATES COURT 

                        31Chambers Street

                        Corner of Chambers and Center Streets

TRANSPORTATION: R,W to City Hall, M, J, Z to Chambers St 4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at Rayliedunkel1@gmail.com
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Water and bathrooms are available 
• Bring a stool
• It might be dark in the lobby for sketching. Bring a headlamp if you can.
• There is no food service in the building. Bring lunch or purchase something along the way.
• We will likely gather for lunch and show and tell outside the building (weather permitting) 

A big thank you goes out to Sylvie Mitchel for suggesting this location!

                                

NYC ​URBAN SKETCHERS - LISTEN UP!

 

​We are heading to the City of Brotherly Love.  Philadelphia is a veritable feast for artists and those with a love for history.  Join us as we draw in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, and Rocky Balboa.

When: Sunday, June 4 through Wednesday, June 7 (or however long or short you like).

Where: We have discounted accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia - Penn's Landing, 100 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19106.  This hotel overlooks the Delaware River and is walkable to the attractions in the historic district.

Discounted rooms run from $145 for a queen bed and $149 for a king bed.

PLEASE NOTE: These rooms are being held as a courtesy block until April 4, 2023.  Reservations made thereafter will be charged at a higher rate.  To reserve a room under the discounted block please call the hotel directly (215-627-7900) and use the group code “NY ART GROUP.”

Interested? Contact Marianne Milzoff, mmilzoff@optimum.net

MONDAY: Westchester Sketchers in the Village of Larchmont

We are doing something different next Monday.  This 2-fold event will be held in the charming village of Larchmont.  In the morning, we will gather to sketch inside St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, originally founded in 1892. The present Gothic Revival building was constructed in 1928.  In the afternoon, we go to the Village Center located in the basement of the Larchmont Library for an optional library program "Art of Healing: Neurographic Art."  Neurographic art is a simple way to work with the subconscious mind through drawing.   The creative method stimulates new mural pathways by combining art and psychology. see attached description. This is optional of course.  If you prefer, you can simply sketch discreetly in the library.

DATE: MONDAY, February 13, 2023

Start time: 10:00 AM

LOCATION: At 10:00 AM we will gather at St. Augustine Church, 18 Cherry Avenue, Larchmont, NY (entrance is right on Larchmont Ave).
From 2:00-3:00 PM, we will head to the Village Center at the Larchmont Library, 121 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont, NY for the  Art of Healing: Neurological Art program.

  

DIRECTIONS: https://staugustineny.org/welcome/directions/

By TRAIN (From Grand Central Terminal, NYC):
Take the Metro-North New Haven line to the Larchmont Station.  The Church and the Library are less than a mile's walk from the Larchmont station.  (Walk on Chatsworth until you reach Post Road.  Turn right.  Larchmont Avenue is your next left.  If you need a ride from the Station, please call Marianne (914) 355-6507 to arrange for pick-up.

PARKING: While parking is metered in Larchmont, you can drive east (towards the water) on Larchmont Ave and look for a spot further down from Elm Street where metered parking ends. It is a two-block walk from the church.

SHOW and Tell: 12:30 PM.  Show and tell will be held quietly at the back of the church.  Following Show and Tell we will have lunch.  Please bring your own or pick up lunch from one of the corner eateries on Boston Post Road or Villa Maria Pizzeria one block north on Chatsworth Ave.

NOTES: 

• NOTE: SIGN UP IS REQUIRED for the FREE Art of Healing: Neurgraphic Art PROGRAM.  If you would like to participate, please sign-up ASAP so as NOT to be closed out.  Click here for more information about the program and to register: https://larchmont.librarycalendar.com/event/art-healing-neurographic-art

Please RSVP to Cathy Gutterman at cathygutterman@verizon.net

Looking for us? 

Call/text: Cathy at (914) 625-0766 or Marianne at (914) 355-6507

SATURDAY: Sketch the Fire Museum Redux

Let's try again.  It should be warmer this coming Saturday - February 11, 2023.

You may have been reading and hearing a lot of stories about AI - Artificial Intelligence.  There's certainly a lot to be said about this topic, however I tried to put it to good use today.  I asked ChatGPT:

Question:  In what ways would an Urban Sketcher enjoy sketching at the New York City Fire Museum?

Here's the answer I got:

The New York City Fire Museum offers a unique and historic setting for artists to sketch and create. As an Urban Sketcher, you may enjoy the following at the museum:

1. Inspiring subject matter: The museum is dedicated to the history of firefighting in New York City, and has many fascinating exhibits featuring firefighting equipment, uniform, and other artifacts that can serve as inspiration for your sketches.
2. Historical atmosphere: The museum is housed in a historic firehouse, built in 1904, which adds to the atmosphere and ambiance of the setting.
3. Sketches from life: The museum has a collection of firefighting equipment and vehicles on display, which would provide interesting and challenging subjects to sketch from life.
4. Inspiring environment: The museum is surrounded by the bustling city of New York, providing a wealth of sights and sounds to draw inspiration from.

Whether you're looking to capture the essence of the museum's collection, the beauty of its historic setting, or the energy of the surrounding city, the New York City Fire Museum offers a unique and inspiring environment for weekend artists to explore their creativity.

Written ​by the computer ​in​ less than two seconds.  ​Incredible?!   

Hope to see you there.

​

DETAILS

What:   We’ll be sketching at the NYC Fire Museum  on Saturday, February 11  2023

Where:   The Museum is located at 278 Spring Street, between Hudson and Varrick, in NYC

 

When:  Meet at 10 AM.  

How:

-   By Subway:  

• To reach the Museum by subway, take the “C” or “E” train (8th Avenue Local) to Spring Street. Walk west 1½ blocks. 
• Alternatively, take the “1” train to Houston Street. Walk south along Varick Street for 4 blocks to Spring Street. Walk west ½ block  

-  By Car

• Take your chances with street parking

GENERAL ADMISSION

$10.00 for Adults

$8.00 for Students, Seniors, Firefighters, AAA members, Person with Disability

Lunch:  12:30  PM.  There is no place to eat in the museum.

Afternoon:  1:30 PM  Back to sketching

Show and Tell:  3:00 PM - This is the social part of our day where we will share drawings and good stories.  Location to be determined.

NOTE:

 

-     Bring a stool, it gives you more options.  

Can't find us?  

Call or Text Mark - 973-809-9128

There are no fees or attendance taken. All drawing skill levels are welcome

Weekday Sketchers at NY Historical Society 

So mush to see, so little time!

Join us this week as we explore the New York Historical Society: founded in 1804 by some of the country's founding fathers to preserve the history of this city.   Located just south of the American Museum of Natural History, this building houses 400 years of New York City history while presenting it in the most contemporary fashion.  Come see the current exhibits ( I'll Have What She's Having: the Jewish Deli), or explore the artifacts collected over the years (Object That Tell Stories), or capture the color and fascination of the Tiffany glass. No matter what catches your eye there's plenty to see and lots to sketch.

For information about the NY Historical Society, click here: https://www.nyhistory.org

Objects That Tell Stories 

DATE: WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2023

STARTING TIME: 11:00 AM (museum opens at 11:00) 

                                We will meet in the main lobby off Central Park West

LOCATION: NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

                                    Central Park West at 77nd Street

TRANSPORTATION: B OR C Train to 81st St/ American Museum of Natural History station. 

Tiffany Lampshades 

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at Rayliedunkel1@gmail.com
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• There is an entrance fee:  $22. for Adults, $17 for Seniors.  The museum accepts the American Alliance of Museum Membership for free entrance as well as the NY Pass and other alliance membership
• The museum opens at 11:00 AM
• Food, water and bathrooms are available
• Bring a stool
• Be prepared to work in dry materials. 

 

MONDAY: Westchester Sketchers at the Clay Art Center in Portchester

 

A Place to Create, Connect, and Be Inspired

Clay Art Center in Port Chester, New York, is a nationally recognized 501c3 non-profit dedicated to the advancement and practice of ceramic art.  Katherine Choy, a leader of the Newcomb pottery aesthetic, joined by master potter Henry Okamoto, founded the center as a communal studio in 1957.  With Choy's untimely death in 1958, Okamoto pursued her legacy for the rest of his life.  At one time a lone beacon of clay artistry on the east coast, CAC become a haven for clay artists, many of whom pursued significant careers in ceramics and influenced contemporary ceramic practice.

Today Clay Art Center is the largest and most active ceramic facility in the tri-state area.  Each year CAC serves over 12,000 people in-person and virtually with exhibitions, classes, workshops, volunteer opportunities, and exposure to the rich world of handmade ceramic art. 

Clay Art Center is pleased to present Rising Stars: Annual Student Exhibition, with Concurrent Youth & Community Arts Exhibitions, celebrating the achievements of our adult students, our Youth students, and our Community Arts Program.  This exhibition brings together a diverse range of artists who are at many different stages in their journey with clay.  It features functional and sculptural works, creating a visual presentation of Clay Art Center’s strength & breadth in educational programming.

View a sampling of works from the exhibition here: https://www.clayartcenter.org/rising-stars-2023.

The Clay Art Center is excited to honor Black History Month by providing an online invitational exhibition “The Sustaining Presence: Stalwarts of African American Contemporary Clay.”  Guest Curated by Syd Carpenter.  This exhibition celebrates Black ceramic artists from across the US, throughout February, with two of the works in the exhibition by Sana Musasama available to view in person from February 1st to March 1st, 2023.  Visit here: https://www.clayartcenter.org/the-sustaining-presence 

DETAILS:

  
DATE: MONDAY, February 6, 2023

Start time: 10:00 AM
  

LOCATION: Clay Art Center,  40 Beech St, Port Chester, NY 10573. Phone: (914) 937-2047.

DIRECTIONS: https://www.mapquest.com/us/new-york/clay-art-center-1307749

FROM Grand Central Terminal, NYC: Take the Metro-North New Haven Line to the Portchester station.  Clay Art Center is a 9 min. walk from the station.

PARKING:
The parking lot fills up very quickly.  Park in the spaces in the middle of the lot, and along the gallery side (same side as the blue door).  The parking spots along the wall where the mosaic tree is, and the spots along the street side are all permit-only spots.  There is parking on the street which is also often full.  If you don't mind a short walk, there is parking over at Stop n Shop / Petco and in that complex in general.

SHOW and Tell: 12:30 PM.  There is no place to eat lunch on site.  Lunch will be on your own OR you can join a group of us at Antonio's for pizza.

NOTES: 

• Admission is FREE.
• Masks are optional, but please be prepared to wear one if the class/artists in the area request it.
• Drawing stools are permitted. 

Please RSVP to Cathy Gutterman at cathygutterman@verizon.net

Looking for us? 

Call/text: Cathy at (914) 625-0766 or Marianne at (914) 355-6507

SATURDAY: Sketch CANCELLED

 

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

due to the 

COLD

================================

NYC has an entire museum devoted to Fire.  Well, actually the museum is devoted to putting out fires but you get the idea. 

If you’ve never visited, the Fire Museum is like the attic of the New York City Fire Department.  It’s where all the old interesting stuff ends up.  It’s fascinating and makes you wonder why some things get saved and others are just lost to time.  

You’ll find lots to draw and inspire you.

DETAILS

What:   We’ll be sketching at the NYC Fire Museum  on Saturday, February 4,  2023

Where:   The Museum is located at 278 Spring Street, between Hudson and Varrick, in NYC

 

When:  Meet at 10 AM.  

How:

-   By Subway:  

• To reach the Museum by subway, take the “C” or “E” train (8th Avenue Local) to Spring Street. Walk west 1½ blocks. 
• Alternatively, take the “1” train to Houston Street. Walk south along Varick Street for 4 blocks to Spring Street. Walk west ½ block  

-  By Car

• Take your chances with street parking

GENERAL ADMISSION

$10.00 for Adults

$8.00 for Students, Seniors, Firefighters, AAA members, Person with Disability

Lunch:  12:30  PM.  There is no place to eat in the museum and no likely place nearby where we can eat together

Afternoon:  1:30 PM  Back to sketching

Show and Tell:  3:00 PM - This is the social part of our day where we will share drawings and good stories.  Location to be determined.

NOTE:

 

-     Bring a stool, it gives you more options.  

Can't find us?  

Call or Text Mark - 973-809-9128

There are no fees or attendance taken. All drawing skill levels are welcome