SATURDAY: Sketch the Two Bridges

 

ASTORIA PARK

Views that will make you Happy you Love to Sketch

An on-location sketching event - July 31, 2021

Sitting on the edge of the East River, resting between the Triborough Bridge and Hell Gate Bridge, the park offers shoreline sights that are a sketcher's delight.  Astoria Park is on the west shore of Queens, extends from south of the Triborough Bridge to north of the Hell Gate Bridge. With a panoramic view of the skyscrapers of midtown Manhattan in the south to the Hell Gate channel in the north, the scenery presents the diverse landscape of New York City.

DETAILS

DIRECTIONS:
The Park is located at 19th Street between Astoria Park South and Ditmars Blvd, in Queens.

SUBWAY:
To get there - take the N Train towards Astoria - Ditmars Blvd.  It's the second to last stop at the Astoria Blvd Station.  

... and WALK:
To get to Astoria Park from the subway walk along Hoyt Avenue, heading  towards the Triborough Bridge and the harbor.  It's a flat 8 block walk.  (SEE MAP BELOW)

We'll meet at Hoyt Avenue and 19th Street, which has a great view of the bridge and is the South West Corner of the Park.  Sketching starts at 10 AM.  Running late?  Come anyway, we'll be there.

WHAT TO BRING

• Bring a stool or a chair if you have one - it gives you more options.  
• Although there are places to buy food, the choices are limited.  Consider bringing lunch.

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome

SATURDAY: Sketch the Fairs of America

The lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us!  Which means?  

It’s fair time!   

Let’s virtually sketch our favorite fair time memories.

We all have memories that remind us of happy times and important events in our lives. The county fair is one of those memories for individuals and families over many generations throughout the United States. Did you know the first State Fair was held in New York?  The county fair comes along in the late summer before school starts and provides some of the most memorable moments in the lives of children and adults alike for over a hundred years.  

Fairgoers come from all over to see friends and neighbors that most would only see at the fair. Children love the midway filled with games and rides and their parents enjoy grandstand,  exhibits, and the livestock shows.   No matter your age you can’t forget your favorite fair food!  
The true heart of a county fair are the farmers and gardeners who bring their crops and produce.  Others bring their baked goods, flowers, and vegetables they had canned during the summer.   4-H Junior Fair and FFA members who bring their livestock and projects with the dreams of qualifying for the State Fair.  

 
One of my favorite memories of the fair is on the second to last day of the fair the grandstands fill with spectators to watch the blue ribbon champions with their winning livestock and projects parade around the track for all to see.  As a 4-H’er this day is a day of celebration with friends and family.  These are treasured memories of a lifetime.   

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We created a special website for you to use.  It has everything you'll need for this virtual sketching event:​

https://60eb9c0a3b54a.site123.me/

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• You need to register to participate.  
• Click here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-sketch-the-fairs-of-america-tickets-164147751343
• Registration closes on Friday at noon EDT.
• ​T​he virtual sketching event starts this Saturday at 10 A​M
• ​***​ ​Important - Please read!​ ​***   Your confirmation email will include your zoom log in information as well as additional information and sites to explore when selecting the image you would like to create with the art medium of your choice.   If you accidentally delete your email check your Eventbrite event ticket for the zoom login information. 
  

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome

 WEEKDAY SKETCHERS AND WESTCHESTER JOINT MEETING

Join us this Wednesday for a very special join meeting with the Westchester chapter at the New York Botanical Garden.  In addition to the wonders that the garden offers on a daily basis year round, there is a special exhibit by the artist Kusama, ... the lady with the polka dots! If you want purchase a ticket for her exhibit you can do so, but the grounds are dotted (pun intended) with some of her works, so you will dee them with a general admission ticket.  

Please take note of the following:

• For more information about the garden, exhibits and facilities click here: https://www.nybg.org
• Your RSVP is much appreciated so we know who will be coming. RSVP to Raylie@verizon .net or to Cathy Gutterman cathygutterman@verizon.net
• Bring a stool, sun block and a hat
• Looking for us?  Call/Text Raylie at 201-274-0445 or Cathy Gutterman at 914-625-0766

Entrance Info:

• There is fee to enter the garden, as well as a fee for parking. Check the web site for costs
• The garden is FREE on Wednesday to NYC residents with proof of address
• The American Alliance of Museum card is accepted for free admission
• If you are a member of the NYBG, and willing to share a guest pass, please do so that those who don't have a pass can get a guest entrance, Let us know that you are holding passes.
• If you need a guest pass, please let us know 

Meeting instructions: 

• We will meet in two locations:
• Cathy Gutterman will meet members who are coming by car at 10:30 AM OUTSIDE the Main Entrance on Southern Boulevard (see map on the NYBG web site)
• Raylie Dunkel will meet members coming by train or subway at the at 10:30 AM OUTSIDE the entrance at the Mosholu Entrance  (see map on the NYBG web site)
• We will meet for lunch and a throw-down at 1:00 PM at the Pine Tree Café
• You can stay as long as you wish after lunch but there will not be a final gathering 

DATE:  WEDNESDAY JULY 28, 2021

LOCATION:  NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN 

                        2900 SOUTHERN BLVD, BRONX, NY

TIME:  10:30 AM (see Meeting info above)

TRANSPORTATION: Click here for information on NYC subway, Metro North and driving directions.https: //www.nybg.org/visit/directions/

NOTE: Please check the NYBG web site for information on dinning options, what is in bloom, special exhibits and much more. https://www.nybg.org

 

SATURDAY: Westchester Sketchers at Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT

The Bruce Museum is a community based, world-class institution highlighting art, science and natural history in more than a dozen changing exhibitions annually.  The permanent galleries feature the natural sciences that encompass regional to global perspectives.  

Current Exhibitions

The Amazon Rainforest: Beauty • Destruction • Hope  

The interplay between live animals, scientific specimens, and the work of renowned photographers tells the story of a sprawling ecosystem on the verge of collapse, and the efforts being made to save it.

Chain Reaction: The Photography of Patrick Nagatani

This exhibition feature the photographer's entire Nuclear Enchantment series, a powerful body of work made between 1988 and 1993, which deals with the history of nuclear weapons development in New Mexico, as well as the effects of this industry on the people and places there. 

   

Prefer outdoor sketching? The beautiful Bruce Park and Greenwich Harbor are close-by.  We will meet up for lunch and Show and Tell.

DATE: SATURDAY JULY 24, 2021

LOCATION: Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830 https://brucemuseum.org/

NOTES: 

• Admission is on a “Pay as You Wish” basis, with a suggested donation of $10 per adult, $8.00 for seniors.  
• The Bruce Museum partners with Museums for All and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. 
• Inside the Museum, visitors are must wear masks that completely cover the nose and mouth.

TIME: 10:00 AM 

DIRECTIONS:

By Car: https://brucemuseum.org/site/visit_us

From NYC: Take the Metro-North New Haven line to Greenwich Station. Exit the station toward the east and turn right onto Steamboat Road. Walk through I-95 underpass and climb steps to the Museum.

Additional Notes:

• Bring your own/snack or lunch and water.
• The Museum usually has stools available, but, to be safe, bring your own chair or stool for the best sketching options.

Please RSVP to cathygutterman@verizon.net, so we will know who to expect.

Looking for us? Call Cathy (cell 914-625-0766) 

SATURDAY: Sketch the Heights

 

Brooklyn Heights is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods​ ​in the nation: 

Travel and Leisure Magazine.  ​

Our day starts at the Promenade:

The Brooklyn Heights Promenade will take your breath away. Made famous by cameo appearances in movies like Annie Hall and Moonstruck, it is one of the most romantic spots in New York City, and has been the destination for thousands of first dates, wedding proposals and anniversary celebrations. One-third of a mile long, it offers a vista of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline and the majestic Brooklyn Bridge. Lined with flower beds, trees, benches and playgrounds, the promenade is a favorite destination for tourists, joggers, strollers, families,  lovers, and of course - Urban Sketchers.

The afternoon will be spent sketching the rows of historic 19th century brownstones, the leafy streets, lush gardens and charming dead-end alleyways.  The landmark designation has kept the neighborhood looking much as it did 100 years ago.  This is a sketching treat!

DETAILS:

When:   ​Saturday at 10 AM.  Sleeping late?  Really?  Okay, come late, but you'll be missing some of the heart-pounding sketching excitement.

Where:  The Brooklyn Heights Promenade - walk down Montague Street to the end.​  We'll meet by the benches​  (see map below)

How:  ​So many subways stop nearby: 
-  Clark Street - 2, 3 train.
-  Court Street - R train
-  Borough Hall - 2, 3, 4 or 5 train
-  The High Street or Jay St. Metrotech stops on the A, C train

Lunch:   ​12 PM to 1:00  ​Picnic Style to enjoy the view.  Bring your own or find food to take-out on Montague Street.

Afternoon:  1 PM to 3:00  We will explore the streets, sketching brownstones, people and street views.

Show and Tell:  3:00​ on the grass by the courts - on Court Street.​

click to enlarge

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome

SATURDAY: Sketch the World's Hot Air Balloon Festivals

SATURDAY: Virtual Sketch Event- 

HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVALS

Something beautiful is on the horizon.

Join Virtual New York City Urban Sketchers in sketching wild hot air balloon rides over local and exotic landscapes.

Let your imagination take flight as we sail the air virtually in yet another magical sketching voyage buoyed by the hot air balloon rides around the USA and the WORLD. Visit familiar and exotic landscapes from an aerial vantage point. Hot air balloon rides are one of the most amazing and thrilling experiences known to humans, from the beautiful views to the adrenaline rush of being launched up into the sky to the unique experience of being floated into the heavens by brightly colored fire-lit globes.

Air ballooning is a popular excursion around the world particularly in areas known for unique and beautiful landscapes like Cappadocia, Namibia Desert, Serengeti, Bagan, Yangshuo, and Jaipur. Yet, you can also find balloon rides locally like next weekend in Reading, New Jersey or like The Great American Hot Air Balloon Festival in Fredericksburg, Texas last weekend as well as the most famous one in America: The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.   

Your custom portal to Hot Air Balloon Festivals: https://60eaa9e8bf54c.site123.me/ 

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• You need to register to participate.  
• Click here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-hot-air-balloon-festivals-tickets-164010067527
• The virtual sketching event will be this Saturday and starts at 10 AM EDT
• Registration closes on Friday at noon EDT.
• ***Important - Please read!***   Your confirmation email will include your zoom log in information as well as additional information and sites to explore when selecting the image you would like to create with the art medium of your choice.   If you accidentally delete your email check your Eventbrite event ticket for the zoom login information. 
  

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome

 Weekday Sketchers at Citrovia 

When the city slaps your construction site with lemons, what to do? Turn it into a Lemon Grove.  Brookfield developers had to build a giant construction shed on their site on 9th Ave near Hudson Yards but instead of the normal construction site that's dark, ugly and drippy, they have given New Yorkers a Lemon Grove to walk through!  Join us, with lots of yellow paint, to capture this bit of summer whimsy in your sketchbook.

DATE:  Wednesday July 21, 2021

START TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  1 Manhattan West Plaza. (9th Ave at approximately 31st St) Across from the Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

TRANSPORTATION:  A.C, E to 34th St

NOTE: It is helpful if you are planning to attend to RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at Raylie@verizon.net

Looking for us?. Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445.  It seems that there is seating but bringing a stool can give you options for sketching. If it rains we will go to the Moynihan Train Hall.  

SATURDAY: Sketch the Hidden Grotto

 

There is a hidden grotto

in Central Park​

Our destination is a series of connecting waterways that traverses the north end of Central Park. This lesser known area of the park, known as The Ravine, consists of The Pool, The Glen Span Arch and the Loch going through the Huddleston Arch (made from huge stones without any mortar) and eventually leads into the Harlem Meer.

(Yes, this event is the mirror image of last week's sketch on the opposite side of Central Park)

The Park itself is a work of art and this portion includes a wild but artistically perfect view of nature with a bit of the urban skyline thrown in.​​

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DETAILS

DATE:  SATURDAY, ​July 1​7, 20​21

TIME:  Start time - 10:00 AM

LOCATION:  We will meet at the entrance to the park at West 103rd Street and Central Park West.  From there we will go to the The Pool, then work our way down through the Grotto to capture various scenes.  If you come late, enter the park and follow the water - you'll find us.  Or feel free to call or text (see number below)

TRANSPORTATION:
-   Subway:  C or B to 103rd Street.
-   Or come by car

Lunch: Noon - 12 PM. Dining al fresco. Bring lunch or depend on park vendors.  We’ll be eating together by the pond.

Afternoon:  1:15 PM  Back to sketching.  We'll explore spots along the waterway.

Show and Tell:  3:00 PM  - Gather at our lunch spot where we will share drawings, good stories and a snack or refreshments if you're so inclined.

NOTES:

Bring a stool - always a good idea, it gives you more options.

 

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

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

SATURDAY: Virtual Sketch: Sedona

 

Join Virtual NYC Urban Sketchers in sketching one of the most breathtaking places in America. SEDONA, Arizona  is situated at the lower end of Arizona's spectacular Oak Creek Canyon, renowned for its stunning red rock formations and surrounding lush forests. It is also a well known mystical haven for spiritual wellness, due to the numerous energy vortexes known to populate the region. Approximately 3,000,000 tourists visit Sedona every year attracted by its magical landscape and the thrill of outdoor, indoor, and spiritual adventures in this truly unforgettable place.

Your custom portal to Sedona:   https://60e16fc546c98.site123.me/

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• You need to register to participate.  
• Click here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-virtual-sketch-sedona-tickets-163200449939
• The virtual sketching event will be this Saturday and starts at 10 AM EDT
• Registration closes on Friday at noon EDT.
• On Friday afternoon, if you registered, you will receive the login info you’ll need to participate.

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome

WESTCHESTER Sketchers at Lyndhurst, Tarrytown

Also known as the Jay Gould estate, Lyndhurst is a Gothic Revival country house that sits in its own 67-acre park beside the majestic Hudson River in Tarrytown, NY, about a half mile south of the Tappan Zee Bridge on US 9.  The house was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. 

Sketching opportunities on the magnificent Lyndhurst property are many: the Mansion, restored Civil War-era pathways, rock outcroppings, views of the widest point of the Hudson River, fountains, specialty gardens, and numerous outbuildings.

Located in the Lower Hudson Valley, Lyndhurst’s proximity to New York City makes it an easily accessible day trip by train or car. 

 

DATE: THURSDAY JULY 15, 2021

LOCATION: Lyndhurst, 635 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 https://lyndhurst.org/

NOTE: Everyone will need to buy a $10 Daily Grounds Pass, which may be purchased either online https://lyndhurst.org/events/daily-grounds-pass/ ahead of time or on-site at the entrance gate.  

TIME: 10:00 AM We will meet by the Bowling Alley Pavilion veranda located behind the Mansion.

DIRECTIONS:

By Car: https://lyndhurst.org/visit/#hours

From NYC: Take the Metro-North - Hudson Line north to the Tarrytown station.  Taxi cabs are regularly available in the parking lot directly across the street from the train station.  Ask the taxi driver to drop you off by the Welcome Center.

Additional Notes:

• Bring your own/snack or lunch and water.
• Bring your own chair or stool for for the best sketching options.
• Restroom facilities are available at the Bowling Alley Pavillion, not at the Welcome Center, as there are no tours on Thursdays. 
  
  

Please RSVP to cathygutterman@verizon.net, so we will know who to expect.

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

Take a look at the new NYC USk Merchandise Store on Zazzle.

WEEKDAY SKETCHERS AT 

ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN

Come along this Wednesday to one of NYC's hidden treasures:The Elizabeth Street Garden.  Located

in the old Italian neighborhood that is now Nolita, this garden is a holdout against the developers who would love to turn this green oasis into yet another high rise building.  The one acre park is crammed with architecural debris that once adorned the buildings in Manhattan.  Come and sketch the lions and dogs, angels and devils that adorn the walls and paths of this magical space. For more information click here:https://www.elizabethstreetgarden.com

DATE: WEDNESDAY July 14,2021

TIME:  11:00AM  (that's when the park opens)

LOCATION:  Elizabeth Street between Price and Spring Streets

TRANSPORTATION: J, Z to Bowery or 4,5,6 to Spring Street

Note:  There is some seating in the garden but bringing a stool will give you more option.  Bring lunch and something to drink.

And remember that the Zazzle Store is open

SATURDAY: Sketch the Meer

 

Yes!   In-person sketching this Saturday.  We’ll be visiting the northeast portion of Central Park which includes the Harlem Meer, the Untermyer Fountain, the Conservatory Garden and the Burnett Fountain.  It’s our hope that this is both a beautiful location and one that won’t be filled with crowds.

What’s a “meer”?  It comes from NYC’s Dutch roots.  The original name was Haarlemmermeer, meaning the shallow lake or pond, or even a wetland in Harlem.  It might have been a swamp back in the old days but, if you don’t know this part of the park you’ll be amazed at how they’ve beautified the area.  Plenty to sketch!

We’ll be sketching from 10 AM until 3 PM with an hour for lunch.  Bring your own food or depend on vendors and local stores.

See attached map for details.  You can enter the park at East 104th Street at Fifth Avenue.  We are meeting by the Burnett Fountain.  No registration required - just show up and sketch.

To say the least, after 16 months, I am really looking forward to seeing everyone.

There are no fees.  All drawing skill levels are invited

SATURDAY: Sketch Mesa Verde

Join Virtual New York City Urban Sketchers in another thrilling sketching voyage to one of the world's premiere archeological sites and a designated World Heritage Site: Mesa Verde National State Park.

The grounds of Mesa Verde (Spanish for "Green Table") contain 5,000 sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, which makes it by far the largest archaeological preserve in America, thus a fascinating subject for artists and urban sketchers.

Mesa Verde was inhabited by the Ancestral Pueblo peoples who made this part of the country their home for over 700 years.

Participants from all over the world 

are invited to join our online event.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• You need to register to participate.  
• Click here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-sketch-mesa-verde-tickets-162440922171
• The virtual sketching event will be this Saturday and starts at 10 AM EDT
• Registration closes on Friday at noon EDT.
• On Friday afternoon, if you registered, you will receive the login info you’ll need to participate.

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome

Sunday Workshop: The Sketchbook Project

 

Workshop: The Sketchbook Project

How to become a sketchbook with a person attached; 

using daily drawing to understand life/and share them on social media

Sunday July 11, 2021 on Zoom with 

Frieda Christofides and Susan Greenstein 10am-12pm

Workshop Concept: The concept of this workshop will be to draw or paint a small personal object or ordinary moment from everyday life and share the result with at least one pen pal. The workshop will include sharing and demonstration of drawing techniques, lettering techniques, observation skills, and methods for compiling your visual diary via social media or email. The sharing aspect is an essential part of this workshop because it will add the dimension of accountability that will deepen the focus of the artist’s experience.

Activity

● Artists Frieda Christofides and Susan Greenstein will share our visual diaries created this past year and we will talk about how we developed this approach for a daily visual journal.

● We will help participants develop a theme that is significant to them.

● We will demonstrate drawing with a Chinese brush pen and share a lettering technique that we have developed that can be used to incorporate text with their drawings.

● Workshop participants will learn how to photograph their art with their phone and post the images on Instagram and Facebook. They’ll also learn how to tag images and use hashtags on their posts.

Workshop Supplies

• Will give a detailed list of what is suggested materials for participants. 
• Supplies needed: a special object to draw, calligraphy pen, sketchbook, phone with a camera, Instagram and or Facebook account and links to others’ sketch book projects and more.
• This is the calligraphy pen we recommend, Kuretake ZIG BIMOJI ”CAMBIO” Large
• More fun links upon sign up.

“Draw everywhere and all the time. An artist is a sketchbook with a person attached.” -- Irwin Greenberg

​The workshop costs $35

Click here to register:​  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunday-workshop-the-sketchbook-project-tickets-162167384011

WESTCHESTER NYC URBAN SKETCHERS at KENSICO DAM PLAZA

The historic Kensico Dam was built under the old dam that formed Lake Kensico, using stone taken from the adjacent Cranberry Lake Park.  The dam was completed in 1917. It is 307 feet high and 1,843 feet long, and forms the Kensico reservoir. The Rising, the county's September 11th Memorial, is located at the intersection of many pathways and viewpoints, and thereby extends its presence into the surrounding landscape. 

With the historic dam as a background, the Kensico Dam Plaza has many interesting scenes to sketch including fountains, the 9-11 memorial, beautiful trees and lots of people in a scenic park setting.  Those feeling adventurous might light to climb the steep stairs or follow the brick walk up trail to the top for a spectacular view of the Kensico Dam and Reservoir.

Looking forward to seeing you!!!

DATE: TUESDAY JULY 6, 2021

LOCATION: Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla, NY 10595
https://parks.westchestergov.com/parks-and-destinations/kensico-dam-plaza

TIME: 10:00 AM We will meet by the tables and chairs located in the main building's picnic area.

DIRECTIONS: 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla, NY 10595
From NYC: Metro North Harlem Line to Valhalla Station. The Park is a short walk from the station.

Additional Notes:

• Parking is free.
• No Admission charge.
• Bring your own/snack or lunch and water.
• Bring your own chair or stool for for the best sketching options.
• Restroom facilities are available.

Please RSVP to cathygutterman@verizon.net, so we will know who to expect.

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

WEEKDAY SKETCHERS ARE BACK

JOIN US AT BRYANT PARK JULY 7

Finally, at long last, the Weekday NYC Urban Sketchers will meet live and in person on July 7, 2021

Easy to get to, many interesting scenes to sketch, beautiful buildings in the background  and lots and lots of people to include in the scenes....Brant  Park has it all!

We will meet at the fountain at the 6th Avenue/41st Street entrance, enjoy a reunion with friends and get down to finally sketching in the open, on site and live!!  Lots of chairs, plenty of food outlets and the prettiest public restroom in all of the city parks...what more could we want? Oh, good weather!!

Looking forward to seeing you all!!

DATE:   WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021

LOCATION: Bryant Park, at the fountain on 6th Ave/41st Street

TIME:  10:30 AM

TRANSPORTATION:  B, D, F, M line to 42nd St/Bryant Parl, 7 line to 5th Ave/ Bryant Park

REMEMBER: Check the Zazzle store for NYC USk signature items!