SATURDAY: Sketch Oyster Bay

 

SATURDAY September 14th: 

Sketch the Picturesque Hamlet of Oyster Bay 

A wonderful day planned and coordinated by Suzala

​

You can sketch views of ships moored in the harbor, palatial estates on a peninsula across the water,  as well as a main street with a New England small town vibe. There is something to draw from every vista.  The main street of Oyster Bay is conveniently located less than a one block from the LIRR Station.  The waterfront is one block away in the other direction with beautiful views of Oyster Bay Harbor on the Long Island Sound.

Oyster Bay is a charming 1800 fishing village located on the Long Island Sound on the North Shore of Long Island. The 26th President Theodore Roosevelt had his office right on the main drag in the Historic landmark, Moore's Building at 1-9 East Main street ( a 2 block walk from the LIRR) in 1901. It is a town with 30 registrations on the Historic Preservation List and they are all accessible in a one mile loop.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Town_of_Oyster_Bay_Landmarks

History:

Named “Oyster Bay” by the Dutch for its abundance of shellfish, many of the Bay’s European settlers became shell fishermen.  By the mid to late 1800s Oysters had become the main source of protein for New Yorkers, rather than beef.  Oyster carts replaced hotdog carts and the poor fed their families with heaping buckets of shellfish that they gathered from beaches themselves.

While still a prosperous source for oysters, the sound is also home to many large beautiful estates and if you know exactly where to look, you can see Billy Joel's compound directly across the way.

In addition to these Landmark locations, not to be missed is Century Cycles located just behind the gazebo. It is not a store, but the location of Billy Joel's motorcycle collection and is open to the public for viewing for free.

Do NOT leave town without a visit to the Bonanza Ices Stand. I can personally attest to too much of the food here. One should not leave town without having eaten one of their "Italian" ices.The Chocolate ( made with Ghirardelli chocolate) and the coconut are amazing but so is the pina-colada and the mango. Sadly I have not had a bad one yet! It is a great down and dirty place for lunch as well serving up hot dogs with toppings and amazing steak fries with convenient wooden picnic tables in the rear.  ( I have been going there since I was knee high and have sketched its charm from the far corner many times: it truly is a Long Island institution.)

DETAILS 

Where: Oyster Bay, New York.   We will meet at the  Gazebo located on Audrey Avenue.   (see map below)

When:  Approximately 10:00 AM, on Saturday, September 14th, 2024

How:  Long Island Railroad from the City;  You should definitely purchase your round trip ticket before you board the train.  It's less expensive. You can get the train to Oyster Bay either at Penn Station or Grand Central.  The train leaves Grand Central at 8:10 AM (arrive early to purchase tickets).  Look for other sketchers.  The train arrives in Oyster Bay at 9:43.  It's a short walk to the Gazebo, our meeting place.

Trains leave every two hours, so the next train isn't until 10:10 AM

Return trains leave the Oyster Bay station at 2:53 (arriving at 4:25) or 4:53 (arriving at 6:17)

Lunch:  12:15  Meet at the gazebo. Bringyourowni, or rely on the local stores and restaurants.

Afternoon:  1:00- back to sketching.

Show and Tell: 2:15 pm Meet back at the Gazebo.

NOTES:

• Anticipate full sun.  Bring a hat.  Sketching can be like sunbathing.  Be prepared.
• Bring a stool if you own one. It gives you so many more options. 
• See map below. (Hint:  Shore Avenue, Audrey Ave and East Main street are all the SAME street.)
• The map makes everything look big. Suzala says - "Even I can walk the whole joint. Trust me, when I say small town I mean it."

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

or 

Suzala (our native resident) at 516 238-0220

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