THURSDAY, November 21, 2024: Westchester Sketchers at the Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT

 

The Bruce Museum

Join the Westchester Sketchers to explore and draw this elegant museum in Greenwich Connecticut. Exhibit highlights include:

Nature’s Impressions: The Modernist Landscape

Drawn entirely from the Bruce Museum’s permanent collection, this installation reveals how artistic responses to nature were informed by both avant-garde experimentation and the particularities of place. In Connecticut and elsewhere, the regional character of the Northeastern United States inspired artists and the colonies they formed to develop distinct aesthetic approaches to the landscape. 

Conservation Through the Arts: Celebrating the Federal Duck Stamp

One of the most successful conservation programs in United States history, the Federal Duck Stamp has inspired generations of wildlife artists by showcasing and promoting their most exquisite works. For the first time ever, the Bruce Museum brings together over 70 works of art representing the original winning designs for the annual stamp.

Want to explore further?  The Bruce has a diverse collection in fine and decorative art and natural history that includes the ecology of the Long Island Sound and seeks to complement its mission and interest in the intersection of art and science.

DETAILS:

DATE: THURSDAY November 21, 2024

LOCATION: "The Bruce" 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830

Phone: 203-869-0376  Website: https://brucemuseum.org/

NOTES: 

• Admission: Free for members, $20 for adults, $15 for seniors.  
• Reciprocal general admission is free through the FWMA (Fairfield/Westchester Museum Alliance) and other partners. If you are a member of the Hudson River Museum, your HRM membership card can be used for admission.
• Many Westchester and Connecticut Libraries offer Museum passes to The Bruce.  Check your local library to see if it has one that you can reserve.  
• DRY MEDIA ONLY must be used inside the Museum.

TIME: 10:00 AM 

DIRECTIONS: https://brucemuseum.org/plan-your-visit/directions/

From NYC:  The museum is located .25 mile east from the MTA Greenwich Station. Exit the station toward the east and turn right onto Steamboat Road. Walk through the I-95 underpass and climb steps on the left to the Cohen Education Entrance. Walk past the Cohen Education Entrance and down Education Drive.  Follow the sidewalk to the Visitor Entrance.

 
Additional Notes:

• Bring your own snack/lunch and water, or purchase from the Bruce café.
• Stools will be available.

Group attendance is strictly limited to 15

Please RSVP to westchester@nycurbansketchers.org, so we will know who to expect.

Looking for us? Call Cathy (914-625-0766) or Marianne Milzoff (914-355-6507)

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

November 20, 2024 Weekday Sketchers at Cast Hall

Weekday Sketchers at Cast Hall

Join us as we return to a favorite sketching site, the Institute for Classical  Architecture and Art's Cast Hall.

Cast Hall

Long ago, before the Met Museum was the major institution that it is now and could afford the real statures that we now see in the Greek and Roman Galleries, they displayed plaster casts of the original statures.  Once the real statures replaced the plaster casts, the casts went into storage and were largely forgotten. Then the Met donated them to the ICAA, who restored them and put them on display in...Cast Hall.

ICAA Library

Bring your watercolors, bring your lunch but don't bring a stool as there are tables and chairs for us to use.   For more information about the ICAA, its services and trips, click here:https://www.classicist.org

But wait!  That's not all!

The building that houses the ICAA, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, is an artifact by itself,  with a Lock Museum, a multi-level library with a stained glass ceiling, beautiful hallways, railings and an incredible sculpture of an arm (you have to see it for yourself).  When you get tired of drawing the statures walk into the hallway and sketch this building that is a true hidden gem of NYC. 

DATE:  WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  THE INSTITUTE FOR CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE AND ART 

                       THE MECHANICS AND TRADESMAN BUILDING

                        20 West 44th Street NYC

TRANSPORTATION: B, D, F, M to 42nd Street/Bryant Park Station or 7 to 5th Ave Station. 

                        

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@nycurbansketchers.org.  
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445. 
• Water and bathrooms are available 
• Bring your lunch or purchase it from the local food outlets
• You can work in wet media

NJ sketchers 11/22/2024 Paterson Museum

Join us to sketch at the Paterson Museum 

From airplanes to locomotives to early Indian culture there’s plenty to sketch. 

Some highlights:

The Wright Aeronautical Corporation 

was headquartered in Paterson. During the Second World War, the Wrights played a major part in the war effort. The plants in and around Paterson produced over 142,000 aircraft engines. 

Machine and Locomotive Industries

The machine shops of Paterson developed a reputation for employing the best men and producing the finest machinery in the United States. This is where the earliest machines that would spin and weave cotton were constructed and maintained. The total number of locomotives produced from 1837 to 1926 in Paterson amounts to over 10,000.

Pequapick 

The Lenape people called their homeland Lenapehoking. This land included all of what is now New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, southeastern New York State, northern Delaware and a small part of southwestern Connecticut.

This exhibit, comprised of artifacts and replications representing the Delaware-Lenape culture, has been designed to generate an appreciation of the ingenuity and harmonious environmental adaptation of this indigenous culture.

Silk Industry 

The museum has a collection of colorful spools and machines from this era. You’ll have to put the watercolor on at home as it’s dry materials only.

When: Friday, November 22, 2024

Where: Paterson Museum 

2 Market Street

Paterson, New Jersey 07501

Time: 10:30am

Bring your lunch and drinks and a stool.

RSVP to margaret.casagrande@gmail.com

646-515-9913

Please email any questions or comments to the above email address.

There are no fees to join the group. All levels welcome.

Saturday, November 16, 2024: Sketch Court Square and the Pepto Bismol Man

 

Sketch Court Square and the Pepto Bismol Man

For Saturday, November 16, 2024.  The warmest day this week is Saturday, and I'm hoping we can spend the day outdoors sketching.  The Court Square Park and Long Island City Courthouse area is an easy trip.  PS1 is four blocks away, if sketching indoors is more attractive.  Although there's lots to sketch, I'm mentioning three views in particular.

The Long Island City Courthouse was built between 1872 and 1876. Built of brick and granite in the French Second Empire style, it became one of the most important buildings in Queens.  Notable trials have taken place in this courthouse. It was here that the bank robber Willie Sutton is said to have answered the question, "Why do you rob banks?" with his famous answer "because that's where the money is." 

Across the street at One Court Square is a mini forest of birch trees, . . . yes, a mini forest.  The first time we went there to sketch, Svetlana told me the trees reminded her of her home in Russia.

Lastly there is the  Pepto Bismol Man, or at least that's what I call the friendly bubble gum pink sculpture.  I looked it up.  It's really called The Sunbather.  When it was installed in 2016 it was called an "instant icon for the Long Island City neighborhood,"  Others described it as “Gumby's grandmother” and “pink poop.”  It's definitely sketchable.  And there's lots more to sketch in this small concentrated area. 

The Pepto Bismol Man

DETAILS

WHAT:  We’re sketching the LIC Court Square Park and the surrounding area

WHEN:   Saturday, November 9, 2024 starting at 11 AM, sketching until 3 PM

WHERE: We’ll  meet by the fountain at Court Square & Jackson Ave.

HOW:  

• Take the G train to Court Square
• or the 7 train Court Square
• E train to Court Square / 23 Street.
• M train to Court Square / 23 Street.
• E, M or R train to Queens Plaza and walk five minutes

LUNCH:   12:30 - We will dine al fresco.  Location to be determined, but probably in Court Square Park. Bring your own lunch or rely on the many stores in the area. 

AFTERNOON:  1:30 Back to sketching

SHOW and TELL:   At 3 PM - location to be determined, probably our lunch spot.  This is the social part of our day when we'll share our artwork and talk about art supplies.

NOTE:  

• Bring a folding chair or stool if you have one - it provides more sketching choices.

​

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

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

THURSDAY, November 14, 2024: Westchester Sketchers at the New Dawn Foundation, New Rochelle

 

"The New Dawn Foundation is a hidden gem so close to New York City, yet so calm and serene with old-world elegance that is hard to find." -- Anonymous Guest

The New Dawn Foundation is located in “The White House,” which is also known as The Oaks. It was built in 1900 and served as a school for girls before being privately purchased in 1919 by Charles and Magdalene Klingenstein. The Klingensteins often invited nurses and nursing students from Mount Sinai to come to The Oaks for rest and relaxation.  In 2008 the property was donated to the New Dawn Foundation. 

The historic estate house is located on the exclusive waterfront peninsula of Davenport Neck in New Rochelle, NY.  Today this beautiful haven in Westchester overlooking the Long Island Sound offers the space for healing, growth, and general respite from the pressures and challenges of everyday life.  

DETAILS:

When: Thursday, November 14, 2024

Location: The New Dawn Foundation

590 Davenport Avenue, New Rochelle 10805 

http://www.thenewdawnfoundation.org/ 

Phone: (914) 6328084

Time: 10:00 AM 

Directions by Car: 

http://www.thenewdawnfoundation.org/directions.html

NOTE: The New Dawn Foundation is easy to get to but you could pass it by as the entrance is small. Most directions will tell you to go to Pelham Road.  If you come to Pelham Road from North Ave., make a right onto Pelham Road, then make a left at Church Street (Trinity Elementary School is on the corner).  Drive down to light and make a right onto Davenport Ave.  Take this road down past the beach and catering halls.  After the Greentree Club, you will see a VERY SMALL entrance on the left.  (There is a boat yard on the right).  It will say New Dawn Foundation and also "The Oaks" which was the former name of the estate.  Drive slowly down the very curved and narrow road.  There will be a fork.  Go to the left where there is a small white mansion.  Marianne and Cathy will be there to guide your parking.

If you are coming from Weyman Ave., make a left onto Pelham Road and take a right on Church Street by the elementary school and follow the above directions.

Transportation from NYC: Take the Metro-North New Haven Line to the New Rochelle Station.  The 9:08 AM off-peak train from Grand Central arrives in New Rochelle at 9:41 AM.  Call Marianne (914-355-6507) to arrange for pick-up and ride to the Foundation.

Lunch: Bring your own lunch/snack/water.  We'll be lunching together.

Show & Tell: After lunch, we'll share stories and sketches during this social part of our day.

PLUS an optional activity: Have some fun helping Marianne create some seasonal greeting cards for the Foundation to send to their members.

Please RSVP to Cathy Gutterman at westchester@nycurbansketchers.org
 
Looking for us? Call Cathy at 914-625-0766 or Marianne at 914-355-6507


NOTES:

• We plan to be sketching inside the mansion.
• If it is a nice and comfortable day, you can sketch outside so you might want to bring your stool.
• Restrooms are available in the mansion.

Wednesday November 13, 2024 Weekday Sketchers at Bryant Park Holiday Market

 Weekday Sketchers at Bryant Park 

Holiday Market

Maybe its a wishful attempt at holding on to this warm weather just for one more sketch event, or maybe it is a fool's attempt to stave off winter, but let's try for one more outdoor event before we have to move indoors. 

Given the strange mashup of this unusual warm weather and the impending holiday season, let's go to Bryant Park to capture the Holiday Market while it is (hopefully) warm enough to sketch outdoors.  The charming shops with their colorful displays and twinkling lights will make great material for sketching. And lots of people milling about, ice skating and enjoying the scene will make great studies for out sketchbooks. 

If the weather turns too chilly to be outdoors, the observation area by the ice skating rink should provide a warm spot to work in.  And of course there is always the NY Public Library to tuck into for more sketching. 

Thanks to Meryl Greenblatt for this suggestion!

DATE: WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: BRYANT PARK

                       We will meet at the entrance on 6th Avenue and 41st Street near the fountain.

TRANSPORTATION:  B D, F, M TO BRYANT PARK/42ND ST. or 7 train to 5th Avenue

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 in the park and the library
• Food service is available at nearby vendors
• Bring a stool for best sight lines but remember it will be crowded
• Please be mindful of the vendors booths and don't block access to the shops

SATURDAY 11/9 : Sketch and Tour St. Nicholas Church

 

Thanks to Mary Pol for suggesting and organizing this event

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine is a church and shrine at the World Trade Center. This beautiful new church replaced the original church of the same name that was destroyed during the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.  It was the only house of worship that was destroyed.

The new St. Nicholas Church was designed by the world-renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.  Its architecture draws from Byzantine influences, including the Church of the Savoir and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul as well as the Parthenon in Athens.

In addition to serving as a Greek Orthodox parish, St. Nicholas acts as a “House of Prayer for all people” and functions as a national shrine and community center. 

On Saturday, Nov 9 th at 10:30 am Dimitrios Katsiklis, Master Chanter will offer New York City Urban Sketchers a tour of the church. The tour is approximately 20-25 minutes long and will give us the opportunity to learn more about the magnificent iconography and rich history that connects the past to the present.

DETAILS

​WHAT:  We’re sketching the new  St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine

​W​HERE: We’ll  meet at the entrance to the ​c​hurch, in​ the World Trade Center​ - 130 Liberty St​.

​WHEN:  At 10:00 AM.  Our private tour with Dimitrios Katsiklis, Master Chanter will begin at 10:30.  It will only be given once.

LUNCH:   12:00 PM - ​Mary has suggested two lunch locations:  

• Pi Bakery​ 35 Cedar Street, NY, 10005​ Regina Katopodis, the owner can be reached at 917-254-1016.
• Skinos” Restaurant​, 123 Washington St, New York, NY 10006

.​AFTERNOON:  We will sketch the church and the surrounding area of the World Trade Center.

SHOW and TELL:   At 3 PM - location to be determined​.

NOTE:  

• Bring a folding chair or stool if you have one - it provides more sketching choices.

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

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