Better Safe Than Sorry

In an effort to stay as safe as possible, the Board of NYC Urban Sketcher has decided to suspend all in-person gatherings for the near future.  This includes the Weekend, Weekday and Westchester gathering.  Additionally the Holiday Party planned for February 5, will also be canceled.  

BUT. that doesn't mean we are not meeting! 

With our Virtual Group, led by Theresa Smith, we can still continue our chapter's activities.   Please watch for Theresa's announcements for virtual meetings as we enter the new year.

The Board wishes you a most happy, safe and productive New Year.   We are looking forward to getting together in person again as soon as possible.

  

CANCELED - SUNDAY Sketch Event

 

CANCELED - SUNDAY Sketch Event

We are canceling the sketch event for Sunday at Grand Central Terminal.  The sharply rising covid infections in the city make this a necessary and logical decision.  Like everyone, I am very disappointed.

Unless the current trends change, it seems likely we will need to suspend in-person weekend sketching until we can be together sketching outdoors.  We’ll monitor this closely.  In the meantime we’ll be looking for creative ways to continue making art and to encourage one another.

Although this feels familiar a lot has changed since this began and in many, many ways we are in a better position to deal with this winter’s challenge.   

We will get through this. 

 

NYC USk - Holiday/Winter Party

Saturday, February 5th.

* * * SAVE the DAY! * * *

From Noon to 5 PM

@ the High School of Art and Design

245 E 56th St, NYC.

Fun, Games, Music and a Cool Art Auction 

with Odd Bits and Antique Art Supplies

SUNDAY: Sketch GCT

SUNDAY: It's Huge! It's Iconic.

It's New York City's Grand Central Terminal.

Sunday, December 19, 2021

It's a monumental space filled with meticulously crafted details - a fascinating challenge to sketch. Grand Central Terminal is one of our nation's historical landmarks and remains the busiest train station in the country.

This special event will be hosted by Judy Garza from NYC USk.   Judy worked as a tour guide at Grand Central and has lots to share.

The Main Concourse is the center of Grand Central. At 275 ft long by 120 ft wide by 125 ft high.  Originally opened in 1871, it was rebuilt in 1913 and restored in 1994–2000

Grand Central Terminal:

• Covers 48 acres 
• Has 44 platforms (more than any other railroad station in the world).
• One of the world's most visited tourist attractions, with 21.9 million annual visitors.

DETAILS:

Where:  The Main Concourse at Grand Central Station - Meet by east side of Clock at the Information Booth at the center of the terminal.  The east side of the clock faces the stairs leading up to the Apple Store

When:   Start time - 10 AM.    Running late?  Messed up by the subways?  Come anyway - we'll be there.

How:  Assuming everyone can find it.

Lunch:  Meet at noon 12:00 PM by the stairs leading up to the Apple Store.  Bring your own food or purchase from the many vendors.

Afternoon:   1:15 PM - Back to the Concourse to continue sketching.

Show and Tell:   3:00 PM  Location to be determined.  We’ll share drawings, tell good art stories maybe we’ll even talk about art supplies!

Notes:

   -  IMPORTANT: Bring a stool if you have one.  Security no longer allows people to sketch sitting on the floor, stools seem to be acceptable

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 - December 18 - Holidays Around the World Celebration

Sketchers  – let's travel online - drawing and painting holiday traditions around the world.  The last month of the year is a “world of holidays“ from America to Scandinavia to the Far East, people celebrating holidays with special rituals and festivities for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, Christmas, Omisoka and many others.

This year’s holiday celebrations might feel a little deja vu or simply reliving last year’s socially distant get togethers. Across the world many popular traditions have been upended, including Europe’s annual Christmas markets. We can still keep the holiday cheer alive this season by learning about some of the world’s most unique holiday traditions around the world.

NYC Urban Sketchers is hosting a “Free Virtual Holiday Sketch Event”. Slip on an ugly Christmas sweater, or holiday socks. Don a holiday hat or spruce up your creating space with a little holiday cheer or just come as you are!

Ten o’clock, Eastern Standard Time, we will kick off our virtual party with sketching “Holiday’s Around the World Celebration.” At noon, we will share all of our works of art and take a holiday photo. Then we will take a 15 minute break. After that sketchers will sit down to share a virtual holiday meal. But don’t rush off! The fun is just beginning! The NYC Urban Sketchers online team has planned fun activities for all of us to enjoy! Mark your Calendar! Don’t be late! Let’s make our virtual holiday sketch party an event to remember!

There are no fees. All skill levels are welcome. 

Registration is required. Please register at the Eventbrite link below: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-holidays-around-the-world-sketch-celebration-tickets-223011913637

Photographic references for the event can be found below:

https://61a0fddabc411.site123.me/

Future Events

January 8, 2022 - Hearst Castle and San Simeon

January 15, 2022 - Parades

January 22, 2022 - Fairbanks and Denali

January 29, 2022 - Trains and Railroads

This is the giving time of year. Consider making a donation to NYC Urban Sketchers. 

Donations by check can be sent to:    

                           NYC Urban Sketchers

                           P.O. Box 1083

                           New York, NY 10016

Weekday Sketchers at Union Square Holiday Market Wednesday

 

Lights, color, crowds, excitement...It must be Christmas Time NYC 

 Let's get out there and capture the scenes in our sketchbooks before the season passes by.   One place to do this is the Union Square Holiday Market. Wednesday's forecast is for mild weather, (low 50's and dry)  so get out your sketchbooks, put on your fingerless gloves and join us for a day of reportage at the market place.   The Union Square Greenmarket will also be open so there are plenty of options for us to choose from. 

Too cold for you?  You can work indoors at the windows in the Whole Foods dining area on the second floor,  where we will gather for lunch. 

NOTES

• The craft market opens at 11:00 but the Greenmarket on the north side of Union Square opens earlier.  Come earlier if you want to jump start the day
• We will gather at the corner of 14th Street and Union Sq West (University Place) on the Southwest corner of Union Square at 11:00 AM
• It will be CROWDED.  Be prepared to work with limited materials in a small space with lots of people passing by. 
• Bring a stool but you might not be able to set it up due to the crowds
• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at raylie@verizon.net.
• Looking for us? Call/text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• We will break for lunch at 1:00 at the dining area on the second floor of Whole Foods on 14th Street across from Union Square. You can purchase something there or just bring your own lunch. 
• This will be our last get together before the holiday break. We will resume meeting in January

DATE: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15, 2021

SATRTING TIME: 11:00 AM 

LOCATION:  UNION SQUARE AT 14TH STREET 

 We will gather at the corner of 14th Street and Union Sq West (University Place) on the Southwest corner of Union Square 

TRANSPORTATION: Any subway line that stops at 14th Street.

THURSDAY: Westchester Sketchers at the Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, NY

The Hudson River Museum is a preeminent cultural institution in Westchester County and the New York metropolitan area. Situated on the banks of the Hudson River in Yonkers, New York, the HRM’s mission is to engage, inspire, and connect diverse communities through the power of the arts, sciences, and history.

Current exhibitions include:

Charles Searles, Celebration, 1975

African American Art in the 20th Century

This exhibition presents forty-three paintings and sculptures by thirty-four African American artists who came to prominence during the period bracketed by the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights movement.

Richard Haas - Circles in Space

In his most recent series of paintings and drawings, Richard Haas explores intersections between abstraction, color theory, and the geometry of the universe, bringing together passions and preoccupations from throughout his long career.

 

Jack Stuppin: The Beginning of my World 

Renowned for vibrant landscape paintings of Northern California, Jack Stuppin (American, b. 1933), grew up in Yonkers and returns again and again to reconnect with the formative Hudson Valley scenery of his youth. This exhibition highlights nine oil paintings, ranging from 2008 to 2020, from an ongoing series the artist has called his “homage to the Hudson River School.”

Optional: Glenview Holiday Tour at 1 PM  

Travel back in time to the Gilded Age! Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of historic Glenview’s six fully restored period rooms decorated for the holidays. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged.


DETAILS: 

DATE: THURSDAY, December 16, 2021 

LOCATION: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave. Yonkers, NY (914) 963-4550

DIRECTIONS: https://www.hrm.org/plan-your-visit/
From NYC: Take the Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line local train to Glenwood Station. Walk 1 block east on Glenwood Avenue, and then turn left onto Ravine Avenue. At the end of Ravine Avenue, enter Trevor Park. Follow path to the main entrance of the Museum.

START TIME: 12:00 PM (Opening time)

LUNCH: Since the Museum opens at Noon, we won’t have a scheduled time for lunch. Please bring your own lunch/snack, or purchase something from the Museum Shop.

SHOW and TELL: 3:00 PM The Green Education Wing has been reserved for us from 2:30-5 PM. This is the social portion of our day when we will share our drawings, techniques, and stories. It is a time not to be missed.

NOTES:

• VACCINATION Required for Entry. All visitors 12+ must show proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of visit; those 18+ must also show proof of identity.
• FACE MASKS are required indoors.
• Admission: $8 for Adults, $5 for Seniors. Free for members. Tickets are available for purchase online or at (914) 963-4550 during business hours. Tickets are nonrefundable. Reservations are accepted by credit card only.
• Tickets for Glenview tours and planetarium shows are an additional purchase and are not included in general admission. Adults +$5 each; Seniors +$4 each.
• Stools will be available for our use.
•  DRY MATERIALS ONLY (Museum Galleries). Wet materials may be used in the Multipurpose room.

Please RSVP to Cathy (cathygutterman@verizon.net).

Looking for us? Call/text: Cathy at (914) 625-0766

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

SATURDAY: The Weather Bet Sketch

This Saturday it’s supposed to be 64 degrees.  Definitely warm enough to sketch outdoors.  It’s mid December and we’ve got the least amount of daylight, - but a warm day feels like a gift.  The following day is much colder - so, we’re talking about SATURDAY, not Sunday,  The forecast us also talking about rain, but the percentages keep changing

So our plan is to pick a place that will be great to sketch outdoors but has a nearby indoor refuge if we need it.  We’re going to meet at the gate to Central Park at Columbus Circle.  If the weather holds we’ll be outside sketching the bridges in the park.   We have an interesting variety of bridges nearby and loads of park things to draw.  However, if it’s raining at our designated start time (10 AM) we’ll meet in the lobby of the Time Warner Center which is on the opposite side of Columbus Circle from the gate.

We’re hoping for unseasonably warm weather, and no rain for this SATURDAY December 11th, 2021.

DETAILS

What:   

• We’ll be sketching in the southwest corner of Central Park if it’s not raining.  
• Our backup, if it's raining will be to sketch the interior and the views from the Time Warner Center.

Where:   

• No Rain:  Meet by the Maine Monument at the Park entrance at the corner of West 59th Street and Central Park West.
• If it’s Raining:   Meet inside the main entrance to the Time Warner Center 
• See map below

When:  Start time - 10 AM.    Running late?  Messed up by the subways?  Come anyway - we'll be there.

How:   Take the 1, 2, A, B or C to Columbus Circle.  Or the N, Q, R or W train to 57th Street and walk two blocks north.

Lunch:  12:00 PM - Our plans will depend on the weather.  There are indoor eating spots in the Time Warner building and lots of vendors if we're outdoors.  Bring your own or take your pick from the many nearby choices.

Afternoon:   1:00 PM  Back to sketching

Show and Tell:  3:00 PM - We’ll try to find a quiet place to meet to share our sketches and tell art stories.  

NOTE:

-    Bring a stool.  It gives you options and creates art opportunities.

(click to enlarge)

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 - December 11th - Morocco: The Kingdom of the West

From Saharan dunes to the peaks of the High Atlas mountain range, Morocco was tailor-made for travelers. Lyrical landscapes carpet this slice of North Africa like the richly colored and patterned rugs sold in the markets. The mountains, not just the famous High Atlas, but also the Rif and sunbaked ranges leading to Saharan oasis – offer simple, breathtaking pleasures: night skies glistening and views over a cumulous cloud bank from the Tizi n’Test Pass. On lower ground, there are rugged coastlines, waterfalls, sizzling deserts, and caves in forested hills.

Morocco's cities are some of the most exciting on the continent. Explore the centuries-old trail of nomads and traders from the winding ancient medina maze of Fez to the carnivalesque street-theatre of the Djemaa El Fna in Marrakesh. Or, the rocky desert medinas protected by kasbahs, on the coast by thick sea walls.

Let’s immerse ourselves into the rich Berber culture and explore the diverse landscapes of Morocco. Pack up your favorite art supplies and let’s people-watch in a street café with a mug of coffee or a cup of mint tea, shop in the souks, or simply sit quietly and take in the sounds and colorful sights of a county steeped in century old traditions.  

As the day comes to an end, we will enter through heavy cedar carved doors of a Moroccan house called a ryad, “meaning a garden”. A townhouse built around a courtyard filled with lush plants, fountains, impressive art collections, pottery, 300 year old painted ceilings and furnishings. We will rest our weary bodies and dream of the smell of jasmine and the adventures of our day nestled in our embroidered bed covers in a room filled with Berber rugs, silk drapes, velvet sofas and intricate mosaics.

There are no fees. All skill levels are welcome.

Registration for this virtual event is required. Use the following link at Eventbrite:

SATURDAY: Morocco the Kingdom of the West Tickets, Sat, Dec 11, 2021, at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

Photographic references for this event are provided below:

https://619eec42a91c9.site123.me/

Future Events:

December 18th  - Let's Celebrate the Holidays - 10am - 2pm. Special Holiday Program.  Wear your Ugly Sweater and Santa / Elf Hat. After sketching plan for a meal and a drink. 

January 8th - Hearst Castle & San Simeon

January 15th - Parades

www.zazzle.com/nycurbansketchers/products

 Weekday Sketchers at Hispanic Society THURSDAY

UPDATE: 

Hispanic Society Winter Concert

For those interested in going to the Hispanic Society on Thursday, be aware that the museum's Winter Concert will take place Thursday evening from6:00-7:30.  It is free but you must RSVP.  For more information, click here:  https://heightsites.com/event/winter-concert/

Join us this THURSDAY as we take a trip across the ocean and across the years to the Hispanic Society in upper Manhattan to see the current exhibit " Gilded Figures: Wood and Clay Made Flesh".  

The Hispanic Society has been closed for the past few years for renovations.  Recently they have opened one small exhibit space for this special exhibit of a rare art form of polychrome figures dating from 1500-1800. These delicate and beautiful figures are carved in wood and decorated with paint and gold leaf.  For more information check out the web site: https://hispanicsociety.org/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/gilded-figures-wood-and-clay-made-flesh/

NOTES

• Please note that we are meeting on THURSDAY this week not Wednesday
• Because of the late start time we will not break for lunch 
• Proof of vaccination will be required
• Admission to the museum is free and there doesn't seem to be a requirement to pre-purchase a ticket.
• Be prepared to work in dry materials
• Bring a stool 
• Many of the sculptures are rendered with very white faces and a lot of gold accents.  Bring appropriate materials 
• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at raylie@verizon.net
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-274-0445

DATE:  THURSDAY DECEMBER 9, 2021

STARTING TIME:  12:00 PM. (the museum opens at noon)

LOCATION:  THE HISPANIC SOICIETY 

                         AUDUBON TERRACE 

                          Broadway and 155th Street

TRANSPORTATION:1 Train to 157th St or the A, C train to 155th Street

Sunday: Sketching Behind the Lions

 

One of the world's great libraries.  It's a visual treat both inside and outside filled with the Beaux-Arts details that are so much fun to sketch.

Some Library facts for you.

• It was officially opened in 1911 and at the time it was the largest marble structure in the United States
• The main reading room was contemporaneously the largest of its kind in the world (You can't quite see the curvature of the earth but there are lots of perspective challenges to work out.)

DETAILS

What:   We’ll be sketching in the main branch of the Manhattan Public Library, (AKA the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building)

Where:   The building covers two blocks from 40th Street to 42nd Street at 476 5th Ave 

When:  Start time - 1 PM.  We will be there until 3 PM.  (This is a short sketch for us.)   Running late?  Messed up by the subways?  Come anyway - we'll be there.

How:   Assuming we can all get to 42nd St and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan?

Show and Tell:  3:00 PM - We’ll try to find a quiet place to meet to share our sketches and tell art stories.  Likely location is tucked under the staircase on the first floor.

NOTE:

-    There is no coat check 

-    I’ve used my stool there many times.  It gives you more sketching opportunities.

If you can’t find us

text Mark at 973-809-9128

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