Monday, April 21, 2025

SATURDAY: Sketch Washington Square Park

 



Washington Square Park is the heart and soul of Greenwich Village. Its vibrant atmosphere is ever-changing: full of music, vendors, dancing, a beautiful dog run, and incomparable people watching. Bordering the park are charming row houses, NYU buildings, and historic old-growth trees, including the oldest one in Manhattan. 

For lunch there are food carts and many restaurant options nearby. There are public restrooms in the park, plenty of benches, and a shady lawn to sit on, though a stool will always give you more options.

Hosted by Kim Hall (917) 566-7714






 A SPECIAL OUTING

JAMAICA BAY WILDLIFE REFUGE 

BIRD WATCH AND SKETCHING


If you have never been to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Preserve this is your chance to fix that!

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge - Gateway National Recreation Area (U.S.  National Park Service)
Visitor's Center


It is amazing that between one of the busiest airports and one of the world's largest cities, is a 12,600 wildlife refuge with salt water marshes, freshwater ponds and hundreds of species of wildlife.  Walking through this serene setting you would think you were far, far from the city until you see its skyline rise up on the horizon.  Join us for a day in one of NYC's (not so)  hidden treasures for a guided bird walk and day of sketching.  


Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge | NYC Bird Alliance

The guided bird walk is led by Don Reipe, naturalist and manager of the National Park System Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.  For informant about Don, click here: https://www.littoralsociety.org/don-riepe.html

For information about Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, click here: https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/historyculture/jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Thanks to Diana Berchan for making these arrangements!


DATE:  MONDAY May 19, 2025
                (Rain Date Tuesday May 20, 2025) 

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  JAMAICA BAY WILDLIFE REFUGE 
                                CROSS BAY BOULEVARD, QUEENS

TRANSPORTATION: Check the website for driving and public transit information:https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/historyculture/jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

While the site is accessible by public transportation, using a car is the most expedient way to get there.  If you are driving, please let Diana know if you can accommodate people for a car pool or if you would like to hook up for a ride.  A list of people who can provide rides and those looking for rides will be sent to those people. It will be up to those individuals to make the arrangements. 



Thanks to Diana Berchan for arranging a private bird walk and sketching day! 


Jamaica Bay, a refuge for wildlife in New York City, gets protection –  State of the Planet


NOTES

  • Please RSVP directly to Diana Berchan at dberchan@me.com
  • Looking for us? Call or text Diana at 917-608-8262
  • There is no fee for this outing or birdwalk.  A suggested donation is $5.00
  • Bird walk is optional. You can join us at any part of the day. 
  • Water and bathrooms are available at the Vistor's Center
  • There will be a considerable amount of walking on flat sandy surfaces, please wear appropriate shoes.
  • There is no food service in the park. Please make sure to bring whatever you need with you.
  • Bring a hat, binoculars, stool  and sunblock 
  • Bring a bottle for drinking water
  • See note above for car pool arrangements 
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge | Queens | Outdoors & Recreation

Saturday, April 19, 2025

THURSDAY, April 24, 2025: Westchester Sketchers at The David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center at Pocantico, Tarrytown

 


Once home to the Rockefeller family, The Pocantico Center’s verdant campus in the scenic hills of the Hudson Valley has been host to some of the most influential leaders, thinkers, and creative minds of the last century. A thoughtfully designed and curated retreat just 20 miles north of Manhattan, Pocantico offers guests an immersive experience of unrivaled beauty, with breathtaking gardens and grounds, historic architecture, and a renowned art collection in which to find inspiration and respite.


Today, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund continues to bring together people at Pocantico through a robust slate of conferences, artist residencies, tours, performances, exhibitions, and educational programs.

Currently On Exhibit: Sketching Light: Chagall’s Windows for Union Church provides a rare opportunity for visitors to explore the creative process of renowned artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985).



DETAILS:

Where: The David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center at Pocantico200 Lake Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591.
NOTE:  Please carpool if possibleBefore proceeding through the gate, all guests must check-in with staff, who can provide further information about parking.

When: THURSDAYApril 24 2025. 
Time: Please arrive promptly at 10:00 AM.  curator will meet us in the David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center (DR Center) at to conduct a brief tour

Via Car: Navigate to The Pocantico Center; the entrance is at the intersection of Lake Road and Bedford Road/Route 448. (Detailed directions from various origins are available here.) There are no signs at the entrance, so proceed slowly. Map Location 

When you arrive, drive down the driveway on the far right and announce yourself to the security staff on duty, who will advise you on parking. If anyone has any accessibility concerns or questions, please let me know. The DR Center is all on one level and is completely ADA accessible.

Transportation from NYC: Take the Hudson line train to Tarrytown Station. Pre-scheduling a taxi or ride-hailing service from the station is recommended, as taxis are not readily available.  For current information, check the Metro-North schedule.

Lunch: 1 PM Bring your own food. 
Show & Tell: Following lunch, we will share stories and sketches during the social part of our day.

NOTES:
- ONLY DRY MATERIALS are allowed (pastel, pens, or colored pencils).
- Bring drinking water.
- There are lots of benches but bring a stool for more options.
Guests at Pocantico should dress comfortably for the season. Comfortable shoes are recommended for navigating the grounds.
- Restrooms are available.
- Parking is free.

Looking for us? Call: Marianne at (914) 355-6507

Please R.S.V.P. to Cathy Gutterman westchester@nycurbansketchers.org by Tuesday, April 22nd so we can provide a list of attendees names to the gate staff.

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

NJ sketchers 4/25 at Great Falls

 

NJ Sketchers at Paterson Great Falls April 25, 2025

Bridgehunter.com | Paterson Great Falls Bridge

QUESTION:
What do cotton and silk fabrics, steam locomotives, continuous rolls of paper and airplane engines, have in common??

ANSWER:  They were all made in Paterson, New Jersey.  And that is because of the Great Falls in Patterson. 

The Great Patterson Falls are a both a natural wonder and an integral part of the economic development of New Jersey from the Revolutionary War through the industrial revolution and into the 20th Century.  Join us as we explore the falls, the surrounding park and the old industrial buildings lining the streets around the falls.  

Paterson: Great Falls project will highlight factory ruins
Great Falls Observation Deck

For information about the falls, a video and driving directions, click here: https://www.nps.gov/pagr/index.htm 

Paterson Hopes Great Falls Park Powers Revival - The New York Times

DATE: Friday, April 25, 2025

STARTING TIME: 10:00 AM

LOCATION:  THE GREAT FALLS OBSERVATION DECK
                            See map below

TRANSPORTATION: Check a Maps Program or use the link to the website for information how to get there.


NOTES
  • Please RSVP to margaret.casagrande@gmail.com
  • Looking for us? Call/text Margaret at 646-515-9913
  • Bring a stool and wear good walking shoes
  • Bring lunch and water. There are no food services near the falls. Port-a-san only.



Friday, April 18, 2025

5/17/25-Afternoon Session-Workshop with Carol Fabricatore-Watercolor and Gouache Painting

 



Afternoon Session

Workshop with Carol Fabricatore - Watercolor and Gouache Painting

When: Saturday May 17, 2025 from 2pm-5pm
Where: Bethesda Fountain
For more details and how to sign up: Click Here

Summary of Workshop:
This workshop will focus on a unique technique, using watercolor and gouache together. Attention will be paid to creating vibrant, rich color, and applying it in transparent watercolor first, then layering, and finally building gouache over it.


Carol Fabricatore is an award-winning artist who received an MFA at the School of Visual Arts. She has taught at SVA since 1994. She has had several artist residencies in the US and Mexico and participated in many exhibits in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and France. To learn more about Carol and her work, see her website:
 carolfabricatore.com or Instagram: @cfabricatore

For more details and how to sign up: Click Here

April 23. Weekday Group in Central Park

 

 Weekday Sketchers At Central Park Reservoir for Cherry Blossoms

Let's try this again.  The blossoms should be open by Wednesday! 

They are back: big, puffy and pink!

Cherry Blossom Math Art Project

What makes them so appealing? Is it the bright color, the abundance of flowers, a view of spring against the still wintery landscape, or the symbolism of a change in season?  Whatever makes them attractive really doesn't matter. It is that they are here that makes us want to get out and sketch them, paint them and capture the moment in our books.

Join us this week as we begin our journey around the city to find the beautiful blossoms.  This week we will gather in Central Park on the west side of the reservoir where there is a grove of trees just ready to burst open.  Watch in future weeks for more locations featuring the cherry trees. 


For more information about the cherry trees in Central Park, click here: https://secretnyc.co/central-park-cherry-blossoms-map/


cherry_blossoms.jpg.jpe



DATE: WEDNESDAY APRIL 23 , 2025

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: CENTRAL PARK
                            West side of the reservoir at approximately 88th Street     
                             See map below

TRANSPORTATION: B OR C TRAIN TO 86TH 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
  • Water and bathrooms nearby
  • No food service in this part of the park. Bring lunch or purchase it on you way
























Wednesday, April 16, 2025

SATURDAY 4/19: Sketch the Gansevoort Peninsula

 




May 17 Workshop - Carol Fabricatore - Watercolor and Gouache Painting

 

Workshop with Carol Fabricatore - Watercolor and Gouache Painting

When: Saturday May 17, 2025 from 10am-1pm
Where: Bethesda Fountain
For more details and how to sign up: Click Here

Summary of Workshop:
This workshop will focus on a unique technique, using watercolor and gouache together. Attention will be paid to creating vibrant, rich color, and applying it in transparent watercolor first, then layering, and finally building gouache over it.


Carol Fabricatore is an award-winning artist who received an MFA at the School of Visual Arts. She has taught at SVA since 1994. She has had several artist residencies in the US and Mexico and participated in many exhibits in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and France. To learn more about Carol and her work, see her website:
 carolfabricatore.com or Instagram: @cfabricatore

For more details and how to sign up: Click Here

Sunday, April 13, 2025

THURSDAY, April 17, 2025: Westchester Sketchers at Caramoor, Katonah

 



You'll Find a Wealth of Inspiration Here! 

Located on the grounds of a former estate, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs, spectacular gardens, and grounds. It enriches the lives of its audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality.

If the weather is nice, we will explore the lush grounds, and the settings of the historic Rosen House, Spanish Courtyard, and gardens to find inspiration for our artwork.  If the weather is inclement or indoor sketching is preferred, the Music Room will be open for us.




DETAILS:


Where: Caramoor https://caramoor.org/visit/
149 Girdle Ridge Road in Katonah, NY 10536. Phone: 914-232-1252

When: THURSDAYApril 17, 2025. 10:00 AM.
NOTE: The automatic entrance gates open towards you as you approach them. 
We'll meet at the Entry Circle plaza near the Foxes Field parking lot.


Transportation from NYC: Take the Harlem Line of the Metro-North Railroad to Katonah Station. Caramoor is a 3.5-mile drive from the Katonah station. For current information, check the Metro-North scheduleNOTE: If you need a ride from the station, please call Marianne to arrange for pick up.

Lunch: 1 PM Bring your own food. We'll be picnicking together on the patio behind the Entry Circle.
Show & Tell: Following lunch, we will share stories and sketches during the social part of our day.

NOTES:
- Bring drinking water.
- There are lots of benches but bring a stool for more options.
- Dress for sunshine. Bring a hat and sunscreen.
- Restrooms are available.
- Parking is free.

Looking for us? Call: Cathy at (914) 625-0766 or Marianne at (914) 355-6507

Please R.S.V.P. to Cathy Gutterman westchester@nycurbansketchers.org

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

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Sketch the Tin Building 4/16/25

Weekday Sketchers at The Tin Building Wednesday

So far this has been a long, wet, chilly spring that is keeping the cherry blossoms from opening and will send us indoors this week for sketching. 



Tin Building by Jean-Georges is the chef's 'dream come true'


Join us this week as we explore The Tin Building in the South Street Seaport,  Chef Jean-George's gourmet food emporium and marketplace.  Once a cornerstone of the bustling Fulton Fish Market, this historic building has been reborn after extensive renovation to house a panorama of restaurants and marketplaces.  There are surely plenty of scenes to capture in our sketchbooks. 

If the weather is nice enough we can work outdoors to sketch the historic ships in the Seaport or the cobblestoned streets around the Seaport Museum. 

For more information about this historic building and all the goodies inside, click here: https://www.tinbuilding.com/


The Tin Building from Jean-Georges Is ...


DATE: WEDNESDAY APRIL 16, 2025

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: THE TIN BUILDING
                                96 SOUTH STREET 
                                SOUTH STREET SEAPORT

                    We will meet on the steps outside the building and then disperse to do our sketching. 

TRANSPORTATION: 2,3,4,5, A, C, J, Z To Fulton Street.  Walk east on Fulton St to the River.

Tin Building Market and Food Hall ...




NOTES

  • Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCurbansketchers.org
  • Looking for us? Call/text Raylie at 201-273-0445
  • Bathrooms, water and lots of food available on site
  • There will be seating but bringing a stool allows you flexible site lines
  • Be aware that this is a commercial site and might be crowded. Please mindful of the foot traffic.











Monday, April 7, 2025

SATURDAY 4/12/25: Sketch The Museum of Natural History

 




Weekday Sketchers Change of Venue April 9

Weekday Sketchers Change of Venue!!

Weekday Sketchers at the China Institute in America Wednesday


The weather will be chillier than expected and the cherry blossoms are taking their time coming into bloom.   Let's save the outdoor event for next week and head indoors one more time! 




The China Institute, located downtown Manhattan, has mounted an exhibit of Chinese's Ritual Bronzes on loan from the Minneapolis Institute of Art, some dating back almost 2000 years.  Each item has a specific intent and meaning offering great insight into this ancient culture. 

For more information about the exhibit and the China Institute, click here: https://chinainstitute.org/gallery-exhibitions/current-exhibition/

Thanks to Muriel Applebaum for suggesting this exhibit. 











DATE: WEDNESDAY APRIL 9, 2025

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: CHINA INSTITUTE in AMERICA
                      100 WASHINGTON STREET 
                       Enter at  40 Rector Street

TRANSPORTATION: R, W, 1 TO RECTOR STREET, 4,5 to Rector Street






NOTES 

  • RSVP directly to Rayoie Dunkel at President@NYCurbansketchers.org
  • Looking for us? Call or text to Raylie at 201-273-9445
  • There is an entrance fee of $15 for adults and $10 for seniors
  • Bathrooms and water are available 
  • There is no food service 
  • Be prepared to work in dry materials
  • Bring a stool 


Sunday, April 6, 2025

Workshop 5/4/25-Food Glorious Food-Workshop with Shawne Cooper

 




Food Glorious Food-Workshop with Shawne Cooper

When: May 4, 2024 2:00PM
Where: New World Mall 136-20 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11354
More details and how to sign up: click here


Join Shawne Cooper for a one-of-a-kind sketching workshop that blends art with a culinary adventure. We’ll explore the vibrant food scene of Flushing, Queens, stopping at a variety of Chinese eateries—each offering sustenance for our sketchbooks and our stomachs. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, Shawne will guide you in capturing the colors, textures, and energy of each delight, quickly and dynamically. It’s a chance to savor each bite and translate the experience onto the page. Come hungry for good food, creative fun, and community!

More details and how to sign up: click here

Friday, April 4, 2025

Weekday Sketchers in Central Park April 9

 Weekday Sketchers At Central Park Reservoir for Cherry Blossoms

Let's try this again.  The blossoms should be open by Wednesday! 

They are back: big, puffy and pink!

Cherry Blossom Math Art Project

What makes them so appealing? Is it the bright color, the abundance of flowers, a view of spring against the still wintery landscape, or the symbolism of a change in season?  Whatever makes them attractive really doesn't matter. It is that they are here that makes us want to get out and sketch them, paint them and capture the moment in our books.

Join us this week as we begin our journey around the city to find the beautiful blossoms.  This week we will gather in Central Park on the west side of the reservoir where there is a grove of trees just ready to burst open.  Watch in future weeks for more locations featuring the cherry trees. 


For more information about the cherry trees in Central Park, click here: https://secretnyc.co/central-park-cherry-blossoms-map/


cherry_blossoms.jpg.jpe



DATE: WEDNESDAY APRIL 23 , 2025

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: CENTAL PARK
                            West side of the reservoir at approximately 88th Street     
                                See map below

TRANSPORTATION: B OR C TRAIN TO 86TH 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
  • Water and bathrooms nearby
  • No food service in this part of the park. Bring lunch or purchase it on you way

























Thursday, April 3, 2025

NJ Sketchers at Branch Brook Park April 10

New Jersey Sketchers at Branch Brook Park

Thursday April 10, 2025

Branch Brook Park Lake-Cherry Blossom Time Photograph by Regina Geoghan -  Pixels



If you asked someone to guess where the picture above was taken, they might say "England" or "France" or another European country. Doubtful that they would guess it was taken in Newark NJ!

Join us this week as we explore the beautiful scenery in Branch Brook Park.  

Branch Brook Park meanders from the north end of Newark and up into Bellville.  Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, this park has the largest collection of cherry trees in the NY Metro area....and they are all in bloom, right now!  Join us as we sketch the scenes across the Branch Brook Lake with the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in the background. Or meander along the park walkways and find the spot that rings true for you. 



We will meet at the south end of the park in the area called Prudential Grove on the west side of the lake.  You can park along the shoulder of the internal Park Drive.  If you take public transit, get off the Light Rail at the Park Ave station. It is a short walk to the meeting location. 

Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossoms: Peak Bloom Guide


DATE: THURSDAY APRIL 10, 2025

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION: BRANCH BROOK PARK
                       NEWARK NJ
                        Prudential Grove

TRANSPORTATION:  
  • Driving: Access Park from RT 280.  Follow the park drive to the meeting spot.
  • Public Transit:  Take PATH or NJ Transit to Newark Penn Station.  Transfer to the Newark Light Rail. Exit at the Park Ave Station. Walk into the park and follow the park drive to the gathering spot. 



NOTES

  • Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@nycurbansketchers.org
  • Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445 
  • You can park on the shoulder along the park drive.
  • There are no food outlets in the park so please bring food and water with you. 
  • Bathrooms are available.
  • Bring a stool.












.   

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

SUNDAY, April 6, 2025: Westchester Sketchers at the Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College

 

The Neuberger Museum of Art, located at the heart of SUNY Purchase College, is a vital cultural resource of modern, contemporary, and African art for Westchester County, NY, and beyond.  From the mid-century American and African art that form the collection's core to the presentation of contemporary art, the museum continues the commitment of founding patron Roy R. Neuberger (1903-2010) by championing the art of our time.

Current exhibits include:

Janet Langsam: Improbable Feminist

Married with three kids, living in Queens and keeping house, inspiration came to Janet Langsam one day as she was picking up her children’s toys. Unlike most of us who have picked up our children’s toys and binned or shelved them, wishing our children would learn to do that for themselves, on this day Langsam picked up the toys, put glue all over them, adhered them to a backboard, and covered them in paint. Janet Langsam: Improbable Feminist surveys the artist’s body of work from its inception to the point at which she redirected her efforts toward making the world a better place through art. It is a story told in the exhibition through the artist’s own words.

Molten Metals



Molten Metals highlights standout works from the Neuberger Museum of Art’s permanent collection, showcasing a range of techniques. Beverly Pepper’s Model for Split Pyramid demonstrates welding, where segments of Corten steel are permanently joined with heat. Harry Bertoia’s Construction (Radiant) uses soldering—a similar process that bonds metal parts with an alloy. Dorothy Dehner’s Long Landscape exemplifies casting, where molten bronze is poured into a mold and cooled to form a single unified shape.

Then and Now


Then and Now is an ongoing exhibition that includes a rotation of works from the museum’s collection of nearly 7,000 objects.

DETAILS:

DATE: SUNDAY, April 6, 2025.

Start time: 12:00 Noon

  
LOCATION: Neuberger Museum of Art, SUNY Purchase College https://neuberger.org
State University of New York, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577. Phone: 914-251-6100 





Museum visitors should park in the West 1 Visitor Parking Lot. From the main entrance to the Purchase College campus, turn left and continue on the West Loop for approximately one mile; the entrance to the West 1 parking lot will be on your right.

LUNCH: Due to our later start, we will not break for lunch.  Please bring a snack/lunch to have if you get hungry. There are no food options at the Museum Store.  However, there are options on campus.

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

NOTES: 
  • Admission is currently FREE for all visitors. Donations are accepted.
    Stools will be available from the Museum.
  • During your visit, please remember these rules for the exhibit areas:
    • No food or beverages 
    • No flash photography
    • No pens or markers (you may use pencils to write/draw)


Please RSVP to Cathy Gutterman at westchester@nycurbansketchers.org

Looking for us? 
Call/text: Cathy at (914) 625-0766 or Marianne at (914) 355-6507