WEDNESDAY: Westchester Sketchers at Patriot's Park in Tarrytown

  

Patriot's Park derives its primary importance from the capture of Major André during the war.  The monument was erected in the mid-19th century.  After being developed for residential use in the late 19th century, it became home to two girls' schools and finally, today's park, undergoing several renovations in the process.

Topographically the park consists of two slight rises, more pronounced toward the west, reflecting the land's general descent toward the nearby Hudson River.  They are divided by the narrow channel followed by Andre Brook, which also forms the boundary between the two villages, Tarrytown to the south and Sleepy Hollow to the north.  The land is mostly open, with tall mature trees providing shade opportunities, more in the north of the park than the south.

The park's organizing feature is an oval walkway with entrances at the north, east, and west, short paths to a basketball court at the south, and North Broadway to the southeast.  The main entrance is to the west.  It is flanked by two gateposts of rusticated granite blocks.  Stone walls in random ashlar with granite copings begin at the posts and follow the sidewalks to create terraces, broken by granite steps to the walkway, on either side of the entrance. They end in granite consoles.

 

DETAILS: 

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 2, 2023. 

START TIME: 10:00 AM.  

LOCATION: Patriot's Park, 121 N Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 Phone: (914) 366-5109

DIRECTIONS and Parking 

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/41.0319553,-73.7830858/patriot's+park+tarrytown/

Patriot's Park is located on U.S. Route 9 along the boundary between Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County, New York, United States.

Transportation from NYC: Use the Hudson Line of the Metro-North Railroad to arrive in Tarrytown. Taxicabs are readily available for hire to ride to The Warner Library, next door to Patriot's Park.  Please call (800) METRO-INFO or visit https://new.mta.info/schedules/metro-north-railroad for schedule and fare information. 

To arrange for pick up, please contact Marianne (mmilzoff@optimum.net).

LUNCH: 1:00 PM in the park.  Bring your own or buy from the vendors on North Broadway.

SHOW and TELL: Following lunch, we will share our drawings and tell stories.  This is the social part of our day and is not to be missed.

NOTES:

- Seating areas can be found in the park, but bringing a stool offers more options.

- Park your car in the Library lot or find street parking in the neighborhood near the park.

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

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.

Our Famous Second Annual Picnic Summer Celebration

 

NYC Urban Sketchers 2nd Annual Picnic Celebration!

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Reader's Digest:

• When and Where: Queens Botanical Garden-August 19th, 2023
• Saturday August 19th- with a rain date of August 20th
• Purchase ticket on Eventbrite click here!  
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/our-famous-second-annual-picnic-summer-celebration-tickets-685621912597?aff=oddtdtcreator
• Address:  43-50 Main Street, Queens, NY, 11355

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We have a special relationship with the Queens Botanical Garden. It's such a wonderful spot for our annual Picnic, and they love the idea of artists capturing the beauty of the surroundings. As someone who plans events, their warm attitude is appreciated.

The Queens Botanical Garden is a real gem. The 39-acre site features rose, bee, herb, wedding, and perennial gardens; an arboretum; and an art gallery.

We’ve rented a gorgeous indoor space, and we 've planned  loads of surprises for you, including a Silent Auction of really cool things, Raffle prizes of equally cool things, a “Garage” Sale of new and gently used art supplies. Prizes sponsored by, Blick, Daniel Smith, Etchr, Legion Paper, Strathmore, Stillman and Birn and more!  Please bring cash or checks for these items. All winners must be present to win prizes.

The $10.00 fee includes admission to the garden, free sweets, and drinks. Bring your own lunch or purchase from the many stores and restaurants in the neighborhood. Please try to bring your event ticket with you.

WHAT IF THE WEATHER DOESN'T COOPERATE?
We can deal with overcast and even threatening weather.  A brief downpour won't be a problem since we have this great indoor space that can keep us dry while we sketch. However, if the weather is really awful - we have a rain date of the following day, Sunday August 20th.  A decision will be made on Friday August 18th.

DETAILS

What: NYC Urban Sketchers Second Annual Picnic Summer Celebration

Where: The Queens Botanical Gardens - 43-50 Main St, Queens.

When: Get there at 10:00am to enjoy the full day. Sleeping late? Come anyway - we’ll be there.

Timeline: The garden is open 8am-6pm. You are welcome within that time. But our sketch event will be as follows:

10:00am: Official start to sketch event

11:00am: Auction bidding, garage sales, and raffle sells start

Lunch:  Bring Your own lunch, or get lunch in the area, there are many choices!

Afternoon Timeline:  

2:00pm: Last call for bids. Refreshments

2:45pm: Winner announcements. Must be present to win.  (This is a tough one, it means you have to keep track of the time while you're sketching and socializing.  But, there are so many cool things we'll be auctioning that you won't want to miss it!_

HOW TO GET THERE:

BY CAR:

• Parking Garden Entrance (parking costs $10) 42-80 Crommelin Street, Flushing

• Midtown Tunnel — Tunnel to Long Island Expressway (East) to Exit 23 Main Street. Turn left onto Main Street. Follow to Dahlia Avenue and turn left. Dahlia Avenue becomes Crommelin Street. The parking lot entrance is on the left.

• Triborough Bridge — Bridge to Grand Central Parkway to Long Island Expressway (East). Follow directions from Midtown Tunnel.

• Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island — Belt Parkway or Jackie Robinson Parkway to Van Wyck Expressway to Exit 12A (College Point Boulevard). Follow College Point Boulevard to Blossom Avenue. Make right. Blossom Avenue becomes Crommelin Avenue. Make a quick right into the Garden’s parking lot.

• Long Island — Long Island Expressway (West) to Exit 23 Main Street. Make right turn on Main Street. Follow to Dahlia Avenue and turn left on Dahlia Avenue. Dahlia Avenue becomes Crommelin Street. The parking lot entrance is on the left.

• New Jersey — New Jersey Turnpike to George Washington Bridge I-87 south to Triborough Bridge. Follow directions from Triborough Bridge.

• Upstate and Connecticut — Throgs Neck Bridge to Clearview Expressway to Long Island Expressway (West). Follow directions from Long Island.

BY BUS:

• Take Q44SBS or Q20A/B from the Bronx or Jamaica, or in Flushing.

BY TRAIN:

• Take the no. 7 subway or Long Island Rail Road (Port Washington line) to Main Street/Flushing.

• Then, take the Q44SBS or Q20A/B bus, or walk eight blocks south to QBG along Main Street.

 

Weekday Sketchers at Elizabeth Street Garden

Public gardens offer an oasis in a city that is calming and regenerative for anyone who steps into them.  The Elizabeth Street Garden is one of those that has served the residents of Little Italy for many years.  A recent court action has severely threatened its existence and it will likely be gone in short order.

Let's go and celebrate this unusual community garden filled with lions, sphinx, artifacts and flowers. Let's sit in the garden and experience the respite that a green space offers as you step off the hot city streets.  Let's capture the shapes and colors in our sketchbooks before it is gone. 

For more information about the garden and the efforts to save it, click here: https://www.elizabethstreetgarden.com

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY August 2, 2023

STARTING TIME:  11:00 AM (That's when the garden opens)

LOCATION: Elizabeth Street Garden

                        Elizabeth Street between Spring and Prince Streets

TRANSPORTATION:  6 Train to Spring Street.  Walk East for three block and turn left onto Elizabeth Street. 

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at Rayliedunkel1@gmail.com
• Looking for the group? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Seating is available but bring a stool for best sketching angles
• Bring a hat, bug spray,  sun screen and water.  Lunch and show and show and tell will be at 1:00 PM
• There are no services in the park. Bathrooms are available in nearby restaurants. (you might have to buy a coffee).  There is no water or food service. Bring what you need with you.

SUNDAY: Sketch the South Cove

 

NOTE:  This event is on “SUNDAY”, not our usual day.

Sunday is forecast to be the coolest day of the week, the high is supposed to go to 83 degrees. I’m looking forward to sketching at the South Cove.  It’s a first for me.  I read their description and was impressed:

South Cove is an unusual, meditative recess along the waterfront. Considered one of the country’s most significant public artworks, the work is the result of a unique collaboration between environmental artist Mary Miss, architect Stanton Eckstut and landscape architect Susan Child. 

“South Cove encompasses everything from carefully sited rocks, natural plantings, and atmospheric blue lights along the Esplanade to the water-racked pilings and the large, arching wooden jetty at the southern corner of the cove that extends into the Hudson like a pier. The jetty gently curves inward, back toward shore, as if in mediation of the city from which it springs. 

 

Overlooking the view is a raised metal tower recalling the prow of a boat or the crown of the Statue of Liberty visible beyond. At once dramatic and serene, South Cove is a place where land and water, nature and metropolis, past and present, gently coalesce.”  https://bpca.ny.gov/place/south-cove/

Google was less flowery:  

“ Dog-free waterfront park featuring walkways & quays with scenic harbor views & a relaxed atmosphere.”

The Helix

DETAILS

• What:   Join us sketching the South Cove in Battery Park.
• Where:   We will meet at the end of Second Place near the helix walkway.  (see map and aerial view)
• When:  (NOTE: Not our usual day!)  Sunday, July 30, 2023.  Sketching starts at 10 AM and runs until 3 PM.  Sleeping late?  Come late, we’ll be happy to see you.  
• Lunch:  12:00 PM.  Buy food in the neighborhood or Bringyourowni.  Meet at the Helix, and from there we’ll pick the most logical shaded place to eat together.
• Afternoon:  1:00 PM - Back to sketching.  
• Show and Tell:  3 PM  Location to be determined - probably our lunch spot.

NOTE:

• There are plenty of benches in the park but stools are always a plus - they give you more options.
• Prepare for sun.

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.

SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2023: Westchester Sketchers at The Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem

 Feel the Peace and Wisdom of Nature at the Hammond

A visit to The Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden is a chance to experience the peace of nature and the wisdom of Eastern culture, right in Westchester County.

Located in North Salem, New York, The Hammond Museum serves visitors worldwide with Japanese art and a beautifully-preserved 3.5-acre Japanese stroll garden. Come take a walk and sketch in the gardens, or see the art on show in the museum's galleries. The museum offers changing exhibits, lectures, and programs that reflect the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures.

DETAILS: 

DATE: SUNDAY, July 30, 2023. 

Start time: 11 AM (Note:  Later start time)

Museum hours: 11-5 PM (Note: New extended hours).  

Admission: Adults $12, Seniors $8.

LOCATION: The Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden https://www.hammondmuseum.org/

28 Deveau Road, North Salem, NY 10560-2115 

Phone: 914-669-5033

DIRECTIONS: Take I-684 to Exit 7. Take Route 116 East to Salem Center. Follow signs for the Hammond Museum on June Road north until reaching Deveau Road. https://www.hammondmuseum.org/visit

Transportation from NYC: Take METRO NORTH Harlem line trains to Croton Falls. From the Croton Falls station, the museum recommends taking a Taxi or Car Service to the museum. To arrange for pick up, please contact Marianne (mmiloff515@gmail.com)

LUNCH: Since we will be starting later, we will not stop for lunch, please bring your own lunch/snack and water.

SHOW and TELL: 3:00 PM.  We will share our drawings and tell stories.  This is the social part of our day and should not be missed.

NOTES:

- Bring a stool if you have one.  It gives you more options.

- Dress for sunshine and warm temperatures.  

- Bring a hat and sunscreen.

Please RSVP to Cathy Gutterman at cathygutterman@verizon.net

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.

Weekday Sketchers at Sutton Place Parks

Like a sting of pearls along the East River,  (how appropriate for one of the wealthiest streets in the city!) Sutton Place Park has been renovated and is ready for a sketch outing.    Originally 5 vest pocket parks, the new plan connects them into one long stretch along the river from 53rd ro 59th Street.  River views with the Queensborough Bridge in the background, landscaped gardens, playgrounds and of course the celebrated Boar Stature will provide plenty of sketch sites for us.  Thanks to Andrea Strongwater for suggesting this location.

For more information about the park, click here: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/sutton-parks/history

And here: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/sutton-parks/monuments

And here: https://suttonplaceparks.org

DATE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2023

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: SUTTON PLACE PARK

                        We will meet at the statue of the boar at the 57th Street entrance

TRANSPORTATON: 4, 5, 6 to 59th Street, N, R, W to 59th Street

                                     Either walk east to the river or take the 57th Street bus to the river

NOTES

• RSVP to Raylie Dunkel at Rayliedunkel1@gmail.com
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• We will meet at the statue of the Boar at the 57th Street Entrance 
• Water and bathrooms are available
• There is no food service in the park. Bring your lunch or purchase it along the way
• Lots of benches but a stool will offer you more options

SATURDAY: Sketching by the River

 

For SATURDAY:  July 22, 2023

There was such a nice breeze sketching last week in Hoboken. The river and a bit of shade made for a wonderful sketch day.  I’m tempted to see if we can continue the magic - this time on the New York side of the river.

We’ll be sketching at Pier 1 and the adjacent Riverside Park South. Running from 59th to 71st Street, the park offers some great sketching venues, including an old gantry that was used to unload barges and railroad cars, interesting water features and, at the 72nd street entrance, an elegant statue of Eleanor Roosevelt as you enter the thin park that runs along the river’s edge.

DETAILS:

WHEN:  We’ll meet at 10 AM - sketching until 3 PM on SATURDAY, July 22, 2023  Sleeping late?  Come anyway - we'll be there.

WHERE:  We will meet at the Pier 1 Cafe - at the entrance to the pier. (there are bathrooms, coffee and food at the Cafe.) - See map below.

HOW:  
1, 2, 3 train to 72nd Street.  Walk west to the river.

By Car:  Street parking may be challenging.  

LUNCH:  12:00 PM  - Location to be determined on site.  (Probably need the Pier 1 cafe. Bring your lunch or purchase from the local vendors.

AFTERNOON:  1:00 PM  Back to sketching

SHOW AND TELL:  3 PM  Location to be determined - probably our lunch spot.  This is the social part of our day where we will share our sketches, tell stories, and probably talk about art supplies.

Look who!

NOTE:

-  Bring a stool - it gives you more options  (There are many benches by the park but I’ve noticed they are always in the wrong location.)

-  Be prepared for direct sun and dress accordingly

Click to enlarge

Can't find us?  

Call or Text Mark - 973-809-9128

There are no fees or attendance taken. All drawing skill levels are welcome

New Jersey Sketchers at Van Vleck Garden

With the beautiful Italianate villa as a background and the 12 acres of gardens surrounding it, the Van Vleck House in Montclair will be ours to explore for the day.  The house and outbuildings, the formal gardens, wetlands, beautiful trees and blooms that follow the seasons, will provide plenty of material for our sketches. 

For more information about the gardens and travel directions, click here: https://montclairfoundation.org

DATE: THURSDAY JULY 27 2023

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: VAN VLECK HOUSE AND GARDEN

                        21 Van Vleck Street

                     Montclair, NJ 07042

DIRECTIONS: The entrance to the parking lot is on Van Vleck Street.  Please check a maps program for direction. 

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Margaret Casagrande at margaret.casagrande@gmail.com
• Looking for us? Call Margaret at 646-515-9913
• Entrance to the garden is free
• Parking is free
• Water and bathrooms are available
• There is no food service on site.  Bring your own lunch and snacks. 
• Bring a stool
• Working in watercolor is ok

Weekday Sketchers Schedule for July and August

Concrete Park

 In an effort to help you plan to join theWeekday Sketchers, here is the schedule for the rest of July and August.  Note that the locations are subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. 

Wednesday July 19, 2023                Snug Harbor, Staten Island 

   Click here for details: https://nyc.urbansketchers.org/2023/07/weekday-sketchers-at-snug-harbor.html

Wednesday July 26, 2023                Sutton Place Parks

Wednesday August 2, 2023              Elizabeth Street Garden

THURSDAY August 10, 2023         Morris Jumel Mansion and Sylvan Terrace

Wednesday August 16, 2023            Newtown Creek Nature Walk

SATURDAY August 19, 2023         Annual Picnic in Queens Botanical Garden 

Wednesday August 23, 2023            Riverside Park: Models to Monuments 

Wednesday August 30, 2023           Concrete Park 

NOTE

We are planing a special outing on a Friday afternoon in August to Coney Island and Brighton Beach to sketch in the afternoon, have dinner and then stay for the fireworks in Coney Island.  Watch for details.

 

Weekday Sketchers at Snug Harbor Wednesday

PROGRAM CANCELED DUE TO RAIN

Original 19th Century Buildings

Once the home to thousands of retired sailors, Snug Harbor has been resurrected as a multifunctional community resource on the north shore of Staten Island.   If you have never been there, it will be a surprise how large and diverse the campus is: beautiful old buildings, cultural centers, botanic gardens and the Chinese Scholar's Garden.  It is an easy trip from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal across the NY Harbor and past Lady Liberty.  Then a short bus ride will drop us off right in front of the gates.  

There is a lot to do, see and sketch at Snug Harbor. This will be a longer sketch day than the Weekday Group usually has.  Please adjust your schedule accordingly.  We will start earlier than usual and the expectation is that we will be there later than just the lunch break, but feel free to come when you can and leave when you must. 

For more information about Snug Harbor, it's history and services, click here:https://snug-harbor.org

Chinese Scholar's Garden

DATE: WEDNESDAY JULY 19, 2023

STARTING TIME:  9:00 AM. 

      We will meet at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal at Whitehall and take the 9:00 ferry to Staten Island.  The Ferry runs every 15 minutes until 9:30 and then every half hour.  If you miss the 9:00 ferry, just take the next one. Follow the directions below and text Raylie when you get there to determine the group's location. 

LOCATION: SNUG HARBOR, Staten Island

                    1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island

DIRECTIONS:    1 train to South Ferry or the 4/5 train to Bowling Green or the R train to Whitehall. Exit and walk south to blue neon Staten Island terminal to take FREE ferry. After landing in Staten Island take the S40 bus at Gate D to travel along Richmond Terrace, less than a 10-minute ride. Let the bus driver know that you want to get off at Snug Harbor.

Italian Garden

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at Rayliedunkel1@gmail.com
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• We will meet at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal to take the 9:00 AM ferry.  If you miss that ferry just take the next one and meet us at Snug Harbor
• Admission to Snug Harbor is free. 
• The Chinese Scholar's Garden opens at noon and admission is $5 for adults and $4 for Seniors
• Water, bathrooms and food are available on site
• There is a cafe and ice cream stand but you might want to bring your own food
• Bring a stool

Botanic Garden

Meet at Staten Island Ferry Terminal 

Take the S40 Bus from Ferry Terminal along Richmond Terrace to Snug Harbor