SATURDAY: Sketch the Dinnerstein Brownstone

 

Past and Present

​

There’s a wonderful show at the Art Student’s League, featuring the work of Harvey Dinnerstein. I've seen it several times.  The show has given me an interesting idea for our sketch event this weekend.   

Dinnerstein lived in NY and painted the people of our city.  He, and a handful of other talented artists, kept the flame of realism alive during the darkest days of the Abstract Art movement.  I'm sure it wasn't an easy thing to buck the trend and remain true to their own vision.  I’ve always felt that as Urban Sketchers we create in their shadow.

“Past and Present” includes nine people, a dog, a cat and several birds, on a Brooklyn Street in front of a brownstone.  It's the centerpiece of the show and it's huge.  Everything is rendered life size. Dinnerstein is a wonderfully talented artist.  It’s a show worth seeing and will be at the League until July 13th.  

It occurred to me that the painting might be a real place.  It turns out, it is.  It’s based on 933 President Street where Dinnerstein lived.   President Street is a wonderful block, filled with classic NY brownstones. It will be a fun block to sketch.   There are some beautiful drawings waiting for us to create them on this block.

DETAILS

What:   We’ll be sketching the brownstones on President Street.

Where:   President Street, between Prospect Park West and 8th Avenue, in Brooklyn  (see map below)

When:   10 AM on Saturday, June 29, 2024.   We will be at this location for the entire day.

How:

-   By Subway:  (see map below)

The closest stop is Grand Army Plaza - 2 or 3 train

7th Avenue -  Q train

Lunch:  12:00  We’ll find a suitable spot to eat together either on President Street or by Prospect Park.   Bring your own, or buy from vendors at the green market at Grand Army Plaza or on 7th Avenue. 

Afternoon:  1:00  PM  - Back to sketching.

Show and Tell:  3:00 PM -  This is the social part of our day when we’ll  share our drawings and talk about art things. We’ll probably use the same spot where we had lunch. 

NOTE:

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

-      Prepare for sunshine.

-      Bathrooms are not easily available.  The closest options are the library, or a shop on 7th Avenue.

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, June 29, 2024: Westchester Sketchers at the City of Rye Village Green

 

Rye Free Reading Room

The City of Rye... to most New Yorkers it is synonymous with Rye Beach and Rye Playland.  We have drawn there, though this week we will set our sights upon the center of this genteel city where Barbara and George Herbert Walker Bush married in 1945.  We will meet in front of the Rye Free Reading Room (the Library), which has a long and rich history of service as the hub of cultural and intellectual activity in the City. Here we can start by sketching the sculptural display of giant butterflies on the Village Green as part of The Rotary Club of Rye and The Rye Arts Center’s “Rye’sAbove” project.

 

Rye'sAbove Sculptures

Other sketching opportunities include Rye City Hall, the 9/11 Memorial Gazebo, and the Square House Museum where you can stop and take a tour.  Venture a few feet away to capture the bustling energy of Purchase Street with its shoppers and cafes.  And, if you like, walk a couple of blocks South to sketch the beautiful churches along Route 1 (Boston Post Road).

Rye City Hall

Square House Museum

Constructed in 1730, the Square House, home to the Rye Historical Society, served as a tavern and inn during the mid-late 18th century.   Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is designated as a landmark by the City of Rye.  It is a museum and the perfect place to discover Rye, NY's history.

DETAILS:

Where:  We will meet in front of the Rye Free Reading Room 1061, Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580

(914) 967-0480

When: Saturday,  June 29, 2024. 

Start time: 10:00 AM.  

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Rye+Free+Reading+Room,+1061+Boston+Post+Rd,+Rye,+NY+10580/@40.9811781,-73.6848937,17z/

Transportation from NYC: The closest Metro-North train station is Rye, on the New Haven line. The Village Green is a short walk from the station.  Call Marianne (914-355-6507) if you need a ride to the venue.

Lunch: 12:30 PM. Location TBD.  Bring your own or purchase something from the shops on nearby Purchase Street.

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

9/11 Memorial Gazebo

NOTES:

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

- Dress for sunshine.  Bring a hat and sunscreen.

- Bathrooms are available in the Library.

- Parking - There are a limited number of spots (2-hour parking) in the lot shared by the Library and City Hall.  Enter the lot from Purchase Street and Library Lane.  Two-hour parking (for a fee) is available in the shoppers' parking lot next to the Library and behind the stores on Locust Street.  You may also park on the street at the junction of Purchase Street and Boston Post Road (with no fee or time restrictions).

Questions, comments and RSVP directly to westchester@nycurbansketchers.org

DO NOT respond to this email as you inquiry will go to a "dead letter" file. 

If you can’t find us call: Cathy at (914) 625-0766 or Marianne at 914-355-6507. 

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

 Weekday Sketchers visit Wild Couch Party

Join us this week to have coffee with a hippo and cake with an elephant, share some time with a chimp and sit with a panda, all right downtown Manhattan on Liberty Street.  The installation was created by Gillie and Marc, two artists devoted to saving endangered species around the world.  Their alter egos, Rabbitwoman and Dogman share space on the couch with the 12 most endangered animals world wide.  The installation is here to remind us of an important cause.  Let's pay tribute with our sketches. 

For more information about Gillie and Marc and all their other installations, click here: https://gillieandmarc.com

Still want more? Nevelson Plaza and Chase Plaza are only a block away offering lots more opportunity to sketch world famous installations. 

DATE: WEDNESDAY JUNE 26, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: FOSUN PLAZA

                        28 LIBERTY STREET, MANHATTAN

TRANSPORTATION: 2, 3, A, C to Foulton St   R,W to Courtland St

Questions, comments and RSVP directly to President@nycurbansketchers.org

DO NOT respond to this email as you inquiry will go to a "dead letter" file. 

NOTES  

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@nycurbansketchers.org
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• There are big trees on the plaza offering us shade
• It will be HOT so bring water, sun screen and a hat
• Bring a stool
• Water, food and bathrooms are available in the Westfield Mall in Brookfield Place 

Join us for our Famous Third Annual Picnic Summer Celebration July 20, 2024

 Join us for our Famous Third Annual Picnic Summer Celebration 

July 20, 2024

Tickets: Click Here

Queens Botanical Garden-Saturday July 20, 2024

Saturday July 20th - with a rain date of Sunday July 21st

Queens Botanical Garden 43-50 Main Street, Queens, NY, 11355

It’s such a wonderful spot, and the QBG loves the idea that artists would come to their oasis to capture the beauty of the surroundings. So we are having our Third Annual Summer Celebration here again.

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 have loads of surprises for you, Raffle prizes of really cool things, a “Garage” Sale of new and gently used art supplies. Please bring cash or checks for these items. All winners must be present to win prizes.

We will be doing a timed sketch crawl through the park organized by Mel Barranco.

The $10.00 fee includes admission to the garden, free sweets, and drinks. Bring your own lunch. Please try to bring your event ticket with you.

Prizes sponsored by, Blick, Daniel Smith, Etchr, Legion Paper, Strathmore, Stillman and Birn and more!

If its just an OK day we will still have the celebration, we have the indoor space and there are covered areas to sketch. If its really looking bad we have a rain date of the following day Sunday July 21th set as well. A call will be made on Friday July 19.

What: NYC Urban Sketchers Third 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: Raffle items on view and raffle ticket sells start, Garage Sale open.

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

1:00pm-1:30pm: Sketch Walk with Mel Barranco

2 :00pm: Last call for bids. Refreshments

2 :45pm: Winner announcements. Must be present to win.

How:

Directions 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.

Directions by BUS

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

Directions 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.

NJ sketchers at Coopers Pond

 Join us at Coopers Pond, Bergenfield, NJ

This tranquil pond is a popular spot for wedding and graduation photos with its gazebo and historic mill building. Many locals come by everyday. And the geese love it.

Besides the mill, there’s a museum and buildings from when there was a chair factory. It’s an easy walk around the pond with benches and shady areas with plenty of views. 

Questions, comments and RSVP directly to margaret.casagrande@gmail.com 

646-515-9913

DO NOT respond to this email as your inquiry will go to a "dead letter" file. All skill levels welcome. No fee to attend.

DATE:  Thursday, JUNE 27, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: Coopers Pond, Bergenfield, NJ

Parking lot

40.9291079, -74.0024719

There is also street parking. Meet behind the building next to the lot.

Port-o-san available. No water.

Next event will be on Tuesday, July 16 at the Orangeburg Library for their plein aire event. This will be joint with Westchester and Nyack groups.

No Sketching Event Saturday

 

There will be no sketching event on Saturday

We're under the heat dome here in the Northeast.  Much as I love sketching and seeing everyone, Saturday looks like it will be another sweltering day.  There is no formal sketch event planned.  

FYI - Helene has suggested that she intends to visit the Met to sketch indoors

Weekday Sketchers Summer Schedule

Wild Couch Party

In an effort to help you plan to attend the Weekday Sketching events, here is the schedule for this summer.  Please be aware that the events are subject to change for any number of reasons, so always make sure to check the weekly blog for the current information. 

Chinese Scholar's House

Wednesday June 19, 2024                The Dairy and Chess and Checkers House in Central Park

Wednesday June 26, 2024                Wild Couch Party

Week of July 4th                              No Event Planned this week.  Enjoy your 4th of July celebrations!

Wednesday July 10, 2024                Valentine Valerian House, the Bronx

Wednesday July 17, 2024                 Snug Harbor & Chinese Scholar's Garden, Staten Island

Wednesday July 24, 2024                 Pier 47 and Gansevoort Peninsula

Wednesday July 31, 2024                 Teardrop Park  

Wednesday August 7, 2024               Grant's Tomb

Wednesday August 14, 2024            Bryant Park

Wednesday August 21, 2024           Joint meeting with Westchester Group: 

                                                         Derfner Art Museum and Sculpture Garden

 Wednesday August 28, 2024            Brooklyn Bridge Park                                                      

Teardrop Park

 

THURSDAY, June 20, 2024: Westchester Sketchers at Five Islands Park, New Rochelle

 

Five Islands Park consists of a group of 5 islands interconnected by bridges set in an undisturbed natural habitat. The park has a large grassy area, sunbather's beach, picnic areas, a large children's play area with equipment, and an outdoor amphitheater. A pedestrian bridge links Big and Little Harrison Island to the main Oakwood Island. This beautiful park has picnic tables, benches and open air pavilions and a dock for fishing.

     

DETAILS:

When: Thursday, June 20, 2024

Location: Five Islands Park, 99 Le Fevres Lane, New Rochelle 10801

https://www.newrochelleny.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/10

Time: 10:00 AM We'll meet in the parking lot near the entrance to the park.

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Salesian+Missions,+2+Le+Fevres+Ln,+New+Rochelle,+NY+1080

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

Lunch: Bring your own lunch/snack/water. We'll be picnicking together.
Show & Tell: After lunch, we'll share stories and sketches during the social part of our day.

NOTES:
- It can be breezy by the water - you may want to bring a light jacket.
- There are lots of picnic tables, but a stool can offer more options.

- Valid park passport or daily parking fee required ($5.00 residents $10.00 non-residents). 

- Restrooms are located in the Pavilion located on the left as you enter the Park.

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

There are no fees or attendance taken. 

All drawing skill levels are welcome

 

Weekday Sketchers at Central Park's Dairy and theChess and Checkers House 

Join us this week as we visit two beautiful buildings in Central Park

The  Dairy and the Chess and Checkers House 

The Dairy

We will start our day at The Dairy, a confection of a building designed by Calvert Vaux. It was built to provide fresh milk to the children of NYC and now serves as the park's visitor's center.  No matter the view you decide to capture, your sketch will bring you back to a time when this part of the park was considered the Children's District, with buildings and activities to engage the youngest of the city's residents. 

Chess and Checkers House

We will then move on to the newly renovated Chess and Checkers Hous which offers visitors the opportunity to play board games under the vines that grow on the trellis surrounding the building. 

For more information about the buildings, their history and a video of the restoration efforts, click here: 

https://www.centralparknyc.org/locations/dairy-visitor-center

https://www.centralparknyc.org/locations/chess-checkers-house

Questions, comments and RSVP directly to President@nycurbansketchers.org

DO NOT respond to this email as you inquiry will go to a "dead letter" file. 

DATE:  WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  We will meet at the Dairy, mid Park at approximately 65th Street

TRANSPORTION: N, R, W TO 5TH AVE/59TH STREET

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCurbansketchers.org
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Bring a stool 
• Bathrooms and water available
• Food service is limited, bring your own or purchase something along the way.

SATURDAY: Sketch Carl Schurz Park

 

Carl Schurz Park​

This picturesque park, partially hidden along the East River, is one of our city's best-concealed secrets. A stroll along the promenade provides beautiful views of the river, the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse, the Triborough Bridge, Randall’s and Wards islands, and, of course, Gracie Mansion, the 18th century mansion that serves as the Mayor's official residence.

Gracie Mansion is the last of the elegant country homes that once lined the East River.  It sits in Carl Schurz park, 15.2 acres beautifully designed  by Frederick Omstead, with sweeping views of the East River.   It's considered NYC's quietest park with beautiful views and gorgeous landscaping.

It’s also considered a wonderful dog park with multiple dog runs, a special treat for sketchers who like a challenge.  Test your visual memory skill by trying to draw dogs playing together.  Definitely not an activity for perfectionists!

DETAILS

What:   We’ll be sketching at Carl Schurz Park

Where:   Enter at  E 86th St & East End Ave  (see map below for full details of the park and bathroom location)

When:   10 AM on Saturday, June 15th, 2024.   We will be at this location for the entire day including our Show and Tell at 3 PM

How:

-   By Subway:  Take the #4,5 or 6 train to 86th Street and Lexington Ave

Even closer - take the Q train to 86th Street and Second Avenue..

Lunch:  12:30 PM  We’ll find a suitable spot to eat together in the park.  Bring your own, or buy from vendors and stores.

Afternoon:  1:30  PM  - Back to sketching.

Show and Tell:  3:00 PM -  This is the social part of our day when we’ll  share our drawings and talk about art things., Location will be determined at the location. 

NOTE:

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

-      Prepare for sunshine, 

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

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