CHANGE of LOCATION for THURSDAY, August 28, 2025: Westchester Sketchers at John Jay Homestead, Katonah

 

Come explore the John Jay Homestead State Historic Site and experience American History at the home of founding Father John Jay and 5 successive generations of the Jay family.  There are 62 acres to explore and enjoy.  These popular attractions are sure to inspire your artwork:

•  The Carriage Barn - Education & Visitor's Center
• The Farm Lane - the only original entrance to the historic farm once owned by John Jay
• The Formal Gardens - located through the white gate, a fountain and sundial form the centers, beautifully maintained by the Bedford Garden Club and Friends of John Jay Homestead
• The "Ha-has" - a unique landscape feature consisting of rock walls built to keep grazing livestock from getting near the house, but remain invisible when looking down the lawn
• The Herb Garden - created in 1991 on the site of a historic cutting garden and greenhouse.
• The Ice Pond - created for producing ice in the winter to use year-round, now a picturesque spot.

DETAILS:

DATE: THURSDAY, August 28, 2025

START TIME: 10:00 AM.   

LOCATION: John Jay Homestead State Historic Site  http://johnjayhomestead.org/

400 Jay Street, Katonah, NY 10536.  Phone: (914) 232-5651.  We'll meet by the parking lot entrance.

DIRECTIONS: http://johnjayhomestead.org/visit/directions-and-parking/

By TRAIN  Transportation from Grand Central Terminal, NYC: Take the Metro-North Harlem Line to 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 site.

LUNCH: 1:00 PM Bring your own.

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:

• The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset.
• Restrooms are available.
• Parking is free.
• There are many picnic tables, but bring a stool for more options.

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

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

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

Saturday, August 30th - sketch Central Park Conservatory Garden

 

It’s considered one of the most significant public gardens in New York City. Central Park’s formal garden is actually composed of three gardens, each one with its own unique style: the French-style North Garden, the Italianate Center Garden, and the English-style South Garden. Fun fact: the main entrance is marked by the ornate Vanderbilt gate, that once adorned the mansion of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, at 58th and Fifth.

Where: Enter through the Vanderbilt Gate at 5th Avenue at 105th Street, then walk left. 

Facilities: Bathrooms are located in the garden. Not many food options nearby; bringing your own is suggested. 

Show and tell: 3:00 pm; location tbd.

About NYC Urban Sketchers Events:

All are welcome–no fees and no registration. Just look for folks at the designated location carrying sketch pads and introduce yourself. If you can't find the group, contact the host; their contact info is on the Urban Sketchers blogpost for this event. #nycurbansketchers

Host: Frieda Christofides. Contact: 917.747.6060

 

N J Sketchers at Liberty State Park August 28 

What does New Jersey have that New York doesn't?  ......Great views of the NY skyline!  

Join us for a day of sketching at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. If you have never been there you are in for a treat.  Great views of the NY skyline, up close and personal views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, open spaces, green spaces, estuaries and bird sanctuaries are just a few of the sites to sketch.  Then there are the NJ Central Railroad Terminal building, boat marinas, wildlife, salt marshes...and on and on. For more information about the park and its services, click here: https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/libertystatepark.html

DATE;  THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 2025

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: LIBERTY STATE PARK, JERSEY CITY

                         We will meet on the plaza between the RR Terminal and the Empty Sky memorial

NOTE:   We will sketch at the north end of the park by the RR Terminal.  Follow the lunch break, if time allows we cab go to the southern end of the park by the Liberation Statue for views of the estuaries and Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island

DIRECTIONS: 

By Car: Check a map program for driving directions

By Pubic Transit: Check the website for ferry information or take the PATH to Exchange Place Jersey City and then the Hudson Bergen Light Rail to Liberty State Park.  

NJ Central RR Terminal

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie  Dunkel at President@NYCubansketchers.org, especially if using public transit from NYC to coordinate for pick up at Light Rail station.
• Looking for us? Call/text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Entrance to the park and parking are free.  
• Meeting spot at the NJ Central RR terminal build.   Drive to the end of Audrey Zapp Drive and park in the free parking lot near the Open Sky Memorial.  Don't park in the pay parking area for the Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruises. 
• Bring a stool, sun screen and a hat
• Bring lunch and water.  There is no food service in the park
• Bathrooms are available

Wednesday August 27,2025 Manhattan Beach

Rescheduled Event

We were washed out last week. Let's try again! 

Weekday Skechers at Manhattan Beach

You've been to Coney Island and Brighton Beach....

but what about Manhattan Beach?  

Way at the end of the spit of land that Coney and Brighton Beaches occupy is a lesser known beach that, while a public beach, is almost a beach club for the residents of the area.  Manhattan Beach will offer us a day of sketching the beach, sun bathers, and nearby land formations.   The neighborhood offers views of private homes for you to sketch. 

Bonus Event:  Urban Sketcher and resident of Manhattan Beach, Madeline Sorel, will do a demo on painting waves! 

For information about Manhattan Beach, click here: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/manhattan-beach-park

DATE:  WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27, 2025

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: WE will meet at the flagpole by the  Irwin Street Entrance to Manhattan Beach ( See map below) 

TRANSPORTATION:  B, Q train to Brighton Beach. Then take the B1 bus to Manhattan Beach

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCurbansketchers.org
• Looking for us?  Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Bathooms, water and sprinklers for washing off sand are available 
• Bring a towel and beach chair
• Limited food service is available, Bring lunch or buy something along the way
• Parking is available for a fee

CANCELLED! THURSDAY, August 28, 2025: Westchester Sketchers at Greenwich Botanical Center

THE CENTER IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED

EVENT WILL BE RE-SCHEDULED 

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, August 28, 2025

START TIME: 10:00 AM

LOCATION: Greenwich Botanical Center, 130 Bible Street, Cos Cob, CT
Phone: (203) 869-9242

DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/41.0812416,-73.7640448/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 Gift Shop in the Center. 
• 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.

Urban Sketch Like an Architect with Charles Cannizzaro

Have you ever wondered how the principles and techniques an architect uses in the studio can be applied to plein aire sketching? This is the workshop for you. Learn how to boil down the knowledge of an architecture studio into basics needed for sketching and painting on location. And enjoy the experience of learning from an architect with over 25 years of experience.

Where: Chelsea Triangle, 9th Avenue and 14th Street, New York, NY 10014

When: Saturday, September 20th, 10am-1pm

For more information and tickets, click below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1478174663209?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Program Canceled due to Hurricane Warnings

Mayor Adams has closed the NYC beaches due to the impending hurricane.  We will try to reschedule the event in the near future.

Weekday Skechers at Manhattan Beach

You've been to Coney Island and Brighton Beach....

but what about Manhattan Beach?  

Way at the end of the spit of land that Coney and Brighton Beaches occupy is a lesser known beach that, while a public beach, is almost a beach club for the residents of the area.  Manhattan Beach will offer us a day of sketching the beach, sun bathers, and nearby land formations.   The neighborhood offers views of private homes for you to sketch. 

Bonus Event:  Urban Sketcher and resident of Manhattan Beach, Madeline Sorel, will do a demo on painting waves! 

For information about Manhattan Beach, click here: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/manhattan-beach-park

DATE:  WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20, 2025

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: WE will meet at the flagpole by the  Irwin Street Entrance to Manhattan Beach ( See map below) 

TRANSPORTATION:  B, Q train to Brighton Beach. Then take the B1 bus to Manhattan Beach

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCurbansketchers.org
• Looking for us?  Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Bathooms, water and sprinklers for washing off sand are available 
• Bring a towel and beach chair
• Limited food service is available, Bring lunch or buy something along the way
• Parking is available for a fee