The Flatiron District centers around the wedge-shaped Flatiron building (1902, Burnham and Dinkelberg) at 23rd at 5th and Broadway. Once a symbol of modernity, it sits across 23rd Street from the beautifully landscaped Madison Square Park. Broadway and Fifth Avenue, below 23rd, are lined with wonderful 19th and early 20th century buildings. From 22nd to 26th street you’ll find lots of public seating, coffee and treats.

This district has had many identities over the decades. In the mid 19th century it was the eastern side of “Ladies Mile”. Lord and Taylor was once located at 21st and Broadway. It has more recently been known as the “Toy District” and is now known more for tech businesses, advertising agencies and high end home furnishings. You’ll find many shops and restaurants including Eataley, The Harry Potter Store, Design Within Reach. 

Pull up a chair and grab a cup of coffee, there is plenty to draw!

Host: Donna David (212) 685 2930 (text is best)

Date: June 3, 2026 

Time: 10:30am

Meeting location: Seating area north of the Flatiron in the plaza on the north side of 23rd Street, facing the point of the Flatiron. Look for anyone with a sketchbook and say hello.

Transportation: The 6 to 23rd street and the R, W to 23rd are the closest trains

Notes: 

-Water, bathrooms are available in nearby establishments. 

-Food, water and coffee are available nearby

-There’s plenty of moveable seating around, but bring a stool for more options

Wait, there’s more!

-There is a fabulous dog run in the park - draw the pooches!

-The phrase “23 skidoo!” is rumored to have been coined at the Flatiron. (https://www.edwardianpromenade.com/new-york-city/the-flatiron-building-and-23-skidoo/)

-For the brave of heart there is an “Automated Public Toilet” at the southeast corner of the park. It may or may not be open and it may or may not cost 25 cents. Let us know how it goes :)

-The fence around the Worth monument at 25th and Broadway uses a sword design for the verticals.

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.

6/5 NJ Sketchers at Fort Lee Historic Park

Join us on Friday, June 5th, as we relive American history in a park on top of the Palisades cliffs with great views of the GW Bridge and NYC skyline, a Revolutionary War encampment, historic re-enactments and a 'living history' school program.

For more information visit https://njpalisades.org/fortlee/
Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
Time: 10:30am
Location: Fort Lee Historic Park Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Meet at the visitors' center
Parking: $1.50/hr-pay station
Public transit from NYC available
RSVP: margaret.casagrande@gmail.com
646-515-9913

Saturday 5/30/26: Fort Greene and The Brooklyn Academy of Music

 

This vibrant, colorful, and historic neighborhood has no shortage of things to sketch. Start with the gorgeous renaissance revival building of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (designed by Herts & Tallant in 1908). Behind BAM is the romanesque Williamsburg Savings Bank Tower, formerly the tallest building in Brooklyn. Then walk down Fulton Street and Lafayette Streets where you will find an impressive variety of restaurants, shops, and businesses, including the colorfully adorned facade of 40 Acres and Mule (local resident Spike Lee’s production studio), the equally colorful facade of The Slutty Vegan restaurant (in a building that pays tribute to the local superstar Biggie Smalls), an adorable bookstore (Greenlight Bookstore), a cute little stationery shop (Yours Truly, Brooklyn), as well as retro storefronts that make it feel as though you’ve traveled back in time (see Mark Morris Dance Group, French Garment Cleaners, and Lafayette Grocery and Dairy).

If you want to venture further afield you can stroll down the tree-lined streets with gorgeous Brownstones to Fort Greene Park. There is also a Blick right on Flatbush should you need any supplies on your way to or from the subway. Fort Greene has it all!!

HOST (and local resident): Charles Cannizzaro 914-552-3658
DATE: Saturday 5/30/26
TIME: Sketching 10am - 3pm | Show and Tell beginning at 3pm.
SKETCHING LOCATION: Fort Greene Brooklyn: Our home base will be Fowler Square at the intersection of Fulton Street and Lafayette Avenue (you can plug in 64 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, for the closest address). There are also great vantage points and good seating options in nearby Betty Carter Park, The Plaza at 300 Ashland (just on the other side of BAM), and small cafes and pocket parks up and down Fulton and Lafayette.

MEETING LOCATION: There will be a kickoff meeting this week in Fowler Square at 10am.
SHOW AND TELL LOCATION: Fowler Square on the corner of Fulton Street and Lafayette Avenue at 3pm. Check with the host day-of for the exact show-and-tell location.
FOOD, DRINK, RESTROOMS, SEATING: Yes to all. There are seats and benches in all the parks and squares, and plenty of restaurants, as well as a Whole Foods.

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 30, 2026: WESTCHESTER SKETCHERS at Caramoor's Welcome Summer Event in Katonah

 

Located on the grounds of a former estate, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs, spectacular gardens, and grounds. It enriches the lives of its audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality.

Before their official summer concert lineup kicks off, Caramoor has invited us to help them celebrate the sunshine at their free event Welcome Summer & Open House. Come explore their grounds and capture the beauty of Caramoor on paper. Click here for more details about this kick-off event: https://caramoor.org/event/welcome-summer-open-grounds-2026.

HOST: Cathy Gutterman (914) 625-0766 

DATE: Saturday, May 30, 2026

TIME: The event officially starts at 12 PM, but the grounds open at 10 AM so come earlier to start sketching.

Look for us at the Westchester NYC Urban Sketchers table. We will be promoting our group and encouraging the public to try urban sketching for themselves. 

 

LOCATION: Caramoor 149 Girdle Ridge Road in Katonah, NY 10536. Phone: 914-232-1252

DIRECTIONS:   https://caramoor.org/visit-us/getting-here 

Transportation from NYC: Take the Harlem Line of the Metro-North Railroad to Katonah Station. Caramoor is a 3.5-mile drive from the Katonah station. 

Lunch: We will not have lunch together. Beverages and light concessions will be available for purchase on site, but it may be best to bring your own food. 

Show & Tell: 2:30 PM Location TBD. We will share stories and sketches during the social part of our day. 

NOTES:

- Bring drinking water.

- There are lots of benches but bring a stool for more options.

- Dress for sunshine. Bring a hat and sunscreen.

- Restrooms are available.

- Parking is free. 

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.

Workshop: Make An Accordion Sketchbook and fill it too! - with Frieda Christofides

 

Join Frieda Christofides and learn how to make an accordion sketchbook. It could provide a permanent place to record your artistic impressions when you travel or are out and about sketching in the city. 

When:  Saturday, June 20th, 10am-1pm

For information and tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985772818957?aff=oddtdtcreator

The weather last week was too hot to sketch outdoors. This week's forecast looks terrific. Let's try again.

This tiny triangle of a park offers a lot of impact for urban sketching: cobblestone streets, cafes with bright umbrellas and home to the often photographed Staple Street Skybridge.   And, just down the street is Washington Market Park, offering green lawns, playgrounds and shady trees.   

DATE: Wednesday May 27 , 2026

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

TRANSPORTATION: 1, 2, 3 to Chambers St. Walk 2 blocks north on Hudson Street

HOST :Kristin Zimmermann. 917-973-6867

NOTES: 

Water, bathrooms are available in Washington Market Park

Food available at local vendors

Bring a stool

THURSDAY, May 28, 2026: WESTCHESTER/NJ SKETCHERS Joint Meet-up at Flywheel Park in Piermont

 

Join us for sketching and painting Hudson River views, shops, cafes, and the Flywheel on the southeast corner of Flywheel Park. When demolition began for the present day Piermont Landing, the flywheel was scheduled to be demolished along with the paper factory that housed it, but it was built too well, and the wrecker’s ball just bounced off. Leave it, the workers were told. Let it stand as a monument to Piermont’s industrial past and to the hard working men and women who were a part of it. That’s why you see it here today. It makes an interesting subject for us to draw. There are also many interesting street views that are good for sketching.

HOSTS: Cathy Gutterman (914) 625-0766 and Julia Bazaz (551) 206-1273

DATE: Thursday, May 28, 2026

TIME: 10:00 AM Meet at the Flywheel.

LOCATION: 25 Flywheel Park, Piermont, NY 1096  

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

NOTE: Address and directions are for the Piermont Library, located opposite the Flywheel.

PARKING: Public parking spaces are located surrounding the park and in the Municipal Lot nearby.

LUNCH: 12:30 PM 

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

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• Bring your own snack or lunch and water or purchase from nearby eateries.  

• There are benches in the park, but bring your own chair or stool for the best sketching options.

• Restrooms and water are available in the Piermont Library.

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