10/18/25: Sketch the Elizabeth Street Garden

 

The Elizabeth Street Garden is a community sculpture garden and green space in the Nolita neighborhood of New York City. Over the years it has been a favorite sketch site for our group. Always threatened by impending development, we have gathered to say goodbye to this quiet corner of New York many times, but it has recently been saved by an injunction preventing the garden from being evicted! Come and capture this unique spot.

Host: Leslie Sim (516) 633-2340

Time: Sketching: 10am - 3pm | Show and Tell: Beginning at 3pm.

Location: Elizabeth Street between Prince and Spring

Meeting Spot: Inside the garden

Seating: There is some seating in the garden, but a stool gives you more options.

Food, drink, restrooms: There is no food, drink, nor restrooms available in the gardens, but all are available in the local neighborhood.

Website: www.elizabethstreetgarden.com

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, October 16, 2025: WESTCHESTER Sketchers at the Village of Larchmont

 

Larchmont Library

The Village of Larchmont is a 1.1 square mile area just north of NYC, and towards the southeastern section of Westchester County. Known for its tree-lined streets and easy access to the Long Island Sound shore, Larchmont is a walkable town with a friendly village atmosphere. It has been ranked among the best places in the nation to live. We will be sketching the charming neighborhood along Larchmont Avenue. Here you will find the Larchmont Library, the Village Hall and Firehouse, Constitution Park, Saint Augustine Church, stately homes, as well as beautiful trees and flowers. The storefronts on nearby Post Road are also an option for your sketches.

Larchmont Village Hall and Firehouse

DETAILS:

DATE: THURSDAY, October 16, 2025

START TIME: 10:00 AM.   

LOCATION: Village of Larchmont 

Meet in front of the Larchmont Library, 121 Larchmont Ave., Larchmont, NY 10538 (914) 834-2281

DIRECTIONS: https://www.larchmontlibrary.org/about/directions/ 

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.  

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

LUNCH: 12:30 PM Bring your own or purchase from local shops on Post Road.

SHOW and TELL: After lunch.  This is the social part of our day where we share our drawings, tips, and stories. It is a time not to be missed. 

NOTES:

• Restrooms in the Library.
• Dress for cooler weather.
• There are benches in front of the Library and in the Park, but bring a stool if you have one. 

Please RSVP to Cathy (westchester@nycurbansketchers.org). 

Looking for us?
Call/text: Cathy at (914) 625-0766 or Marianne at (914) 355-6507.

October 15,2025Weekday Skechers at Forest Hills Garden

 Weekday Sketchers at Forest Hills Gardens

We were rained out a few weeks ago.....let's try again! 

Station Square

Is this NYC or Suburban London? 

When Forest Hills was being developed out of Dutch owned farms in Queens, the developers paid attention to every detail in order to attract people to buy homes in this remote outpost of the city. The idea was to create a suburban environment that modeled the English suburbs: winding streets, tutor houses, beautiful gardens....and...well no thatched roofs!  Starting at Station Square, where the Long Island RR could scoot people into midtown in minutes, to the mix of housing options, this area does not look anything like the rest of the city.  And so it remains today, a quirky oasis in the suburban sprawl of Queens. 

Join us as we capture the turrets, gardens, gates, homes and churches in our sketch books. 

We will meet at the train station and then walk through the village scouting out sketch locations. Please note this is a private community. We will be able to set up in the public green spaces within the village.  Please be respectful of the private properties. Bring a stool.   

Thanks to Diana Berchan for suggesting this location and guiding us through the village!

DATE: WEDNESDAY October 15, 2025

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  FOREST HILLS GARDENS STATON SQUARE,     

                        Forest Hills Garden Queens NY  11375

TRANSPORTATION: E, F, M, R to Forest Hills/ 71st Ave 

                                        Long Island RR to Forest Hills

When you exit the station walk to Continental Ave and walk to Burns Ave to the meeting spot.

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCUrbansketchers.org
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Bathrooms and water are available near the station
• Food can be purchased at nearby vendors
• Bring a stool for best sight lines.
• If you are driving, DO NOT park inside the Forest Hills Gardens perimeters.  You will be booted and fined.

10/11/25: Sketch Fifth Hammer Brewing Co and L.I.C.

 

Join us for a fun day of sketching in Long Island City!! Our own Mary Izett has graciously invited us to 

sketch in the brewery owned by her and her husband, Fifth Hammer Brewing Company. In addition to our 

usual sketching from 10-3, we will have a demo by Nishant Jain, aka ‘The Sneaky Artist’, beginning at 12:30:

Nishant Jain, also known as The Sneaky Artist, is an artist, writer, and former neuroscience student who left 

his PhD program to pursue art and writing full-time. His unique approach to “sneaky sketching” has resonated

with fans around the world, inspiring them to capture their surroundings quietly and authentically. Nishant will 

share ideas and techniques from his book - Make (Sneaky) Art - that help him draw fleeting moments of life in 

public spaces. How do we get over our hesitations before the blank page and begin quickly? 

How do we wrap things up when time is short and we need to finish quickly? Nishant will answer both 

questions (and more!) with quick, confident lines and a minimalist toolkit.

As if the brewery weren’t enough, feel free to venture out into L.I.C. The brewery is just 2 blocks from the 

riverfront with incredible views of Manhattan, the Pepsi sign, etc. MoMA PS1 is also 2 blocks away.

Host: Mary Izett- 917-803-8566

Time: 10am - 4pm

Demonstration: 12:30pm

Location:

10-28 46th Ave, between Vernon and 11th St

Long Island City, Queens.

Meeting Spot:  Inside the brewery

Show and Tell: Will take place in the brewery beginning at 3pm. 

Seating: There is seating inside the brewery, but if you want to venture out into L.I.C., bring a stool. 

Food and drink: The brewery itself does not serve food, but they will have a pop-up, Makan Fusion, 

in the tap room beginning at 1:00. You are also welcome to bring your own food, and the area has many options. 

Bathrooms: Inside the brewery

Transportation: 

• Vernon Blvd – Jackson Av (7)

• 21 Street – Van Alst (G)

• Court Sq – 23 St (E,M)

• Long Island City Ferry Stop on the NYC Ferry

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, October 9, 2025: WESTCHESTER Sketchers at the Greenwich Botanical Center, Cos Cob, CT

 

Get ready for an adventure in nature! 

Located in the 61-acre Montgomery Pinetum Park, Greenwich Botanical Center is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting horticulture, conservation, and the arts through educational programs and outreach activities. It's mission is to connect people with plants and nature through horticulture, botany, and conservation education.

DETAILS:

DATE: THURSDAY, October 9, 2025

START TIME: 10:00 AM

LOCATION: Greenwich Botanical Center, https://greenwichbotanicalcenter.org/

130 Bible Street, Cos Cob, CT

Phone: (203) 869-9242

DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/41.0320896,-73.7837056/Greenwich+Botanical+Center,+130+Bible+St,+Cos+Cob,+CT+06807 

LUNCH: Bring your own.  

SHOW AND TELL will follow lunch. It is a time for sharing and not to be missed.

NOTES:

• We will meet near the Center's Gift Shop. 
• Parking is available.
• Bring your stools.

Please RSVP to Cathy Gutterman at westchester@nycurbansketchers.org

Looking for us? 

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

There are no fees to attend. All art levels welcome.

October 8. Weekday sketchers at Pier 62

 

UPDATE: Delayed Start Time

Rain is forecast for overnight into the morning, and a sunny afternoon.  We will have a delayed start time of 11:30

Weekday Sketchers at Pier  62 in Chelsea

Great River views, a carousel, a California Style Skate Park, flower gardens and green lawns are the start of what we will find on Pier 62   Join us this week as we explore one of the dynamic parts of the Hudson .River Park.

DATE: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8,2025

STARTING TIME:10:30 AM

LOCATION: PIER 62 at the west end of 23rd street, NY, NY 10011

                        We will meet by the carousel.

TRANSPORTATION:  Any subway to 23rd Street then walk or take the crosstown bus to 11th Ave

NOTES

RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@Nycurbansketchers.org

Looking for us?  Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445

We will meet by the carousel

Bathrooms and water are available

Food is available at local outlets or bring your own

Bring a stool

10/11 NJ Sketchers at Van Saun 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 11, 2025

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

instagram: @njurbansketchers

All welcome, no fees to attend