New York, our home town, has three very impressive Botanic Gardens. The New York Botanical is in the Bronx and is huge with vistas and views. Brooklyn's Botanic Garden is a bit smaller but equally comprehensive. The Queens Botanic Gardens is a small jewel, easily walkable with everything you'd want to inspire your art.
For the third year we are holding our famous Annual Picnic there. The 39-acre site features a rose garden, a bee garden, an herb garden, a wedding garden, perennial gardens; an arboretum; and an art gallery. If we have rain, no problem, we've rented an indoor space to accommodate everyone.
The garden charges a $10 admission fee (click here). We will have refreshments and drinks, but you should bring your own lunch or depend on the stores and shops in the neighborhood.
This is a fundraiser for us. We have prizes donated by our generous sponsors, Blick, Daniel Smith, Etchr, Legion Paper, Strathmore, Stillman and Birn. We'll also have raffle prizes with cool things for artists, a “Garage” Sale of new and gently used art supplies. Please bring cash or checks for these items.
We will be doing a timed sketch crawl through the park organized by Mel Barranco.
DETAILS
What: NYC Urban Sketchers Third Annual Picnic Summer Celebration
Where: The Queens Botanical Gardens - 43-50 Main St, Queens. There is a $10 entrance fee - tickets can be purchased here:
When: Get there at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 20th, 2024. Sleeping late? Come anyway - we’ll be there.
Where: The Queens Botanical Gardens - 43-50 Main St, Queens. There is a $10 entrance fee - tickets can be purchased here:
- Bring your receipt
When: Get there at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 20th, 2024. 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 sales start, Garage Sale open.
12:00: Lunch: Bring your own , or get lunch in the area, there are many choices!
1:00 pm-1:30 pm: Sketch Walk with Mel Barranco
2 :00 pm: Last call for bids. Refreshments
2 :45 pm: Winner announcements. Must be present to win.
How:
Directions by CAR:
Parking Garden Entrance (parking costs $10 in addition to the the admission fee) 42-80 Crommelin Street, FlushingMidtown 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 TRAINTake 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.
NOTE:
- Bring a stool if you have one, it always 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.
