IMPRESSIONISM – AMERICAN GARDENS ON CANVAS

Through September 11th

American Impressionism comes to life in a captivating Garden-wide exhibition.  In the Conservatory stroll through an American Impressionist garden, a stunning interpretation by Francisco Coelho, NYBG’s renowned curator and designer, of the alluring gardens that influenced iconic artists such as Childe Hassam and John Singer Sargent.  In the Art Gallery, view a display of more than 20 paintings and sculptures by these famed artists.

New York Botanical Gardens  2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx   http://nybg.org

September 21st – 25th

Calling all horse lovers, wannabe jockeys, National Velvet’s and Olympic equestrian hopefuls!  Come witness the extraordinary human/horse dance that is Dressage, be dazzled by breathtaking show jumping and exhibition acts taking place literally in the middle of Manhattan at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show.  

Central Park Wollman Rink.  Ticket info. at http://cphs.coth.com

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More than 50 multicolored murals have transformed a swath of buildings into a vast outdoor gallery known as the Bushwick Collective.  The accidental curator of the Collective is Joseph Ficalora, a native of this Brooklyn town.  Up until the last fifteen years, Bushwick had been an area of high crime and blight.  In fact, it was the devastating murder of Joseph’s father back in 1991 that prompted his son to take positive action and initiative.

In 2013 Joseph decided the best way to heal from this tragedy and support his still-beloved neighborhood was through a transformative Graffiti and Street Art project.  Once he started googling key words related to this art form, his role as a steward of outdoor art began.  He reached out to artists from around the globe, asking them to contribute their talents to the canvases that are the industrial and residential buildings of Bushwick.  There are a few rules: nothing offensive to children, women, the local businesses and no politics.  It is truly a wonder to behold!

The area is now wonderfully diverse and home to some great eateries so do support local commerce while you’re in town.  Two of my favorite spots to grab a bite are:

• Hi Hello,  247 Starr Street (on the corner of Starr and Wycoff   http://hihellobk.com
• Roberta’s Pizza,  261 Moore St.  http://robertaspizza.com

HOW TO GET TO THE BUSHWICK COLLECTIVE : Take the “L” train to the Jefferson Ave. stop.  As soon as you get out of the subway you will see the murals.  I walk one block to Troutman and Wycoff Streets and start meandering from there.

Have you ever noticed as you navigate your way through New York’s subways that the beautiful artwork in the city isn’t always above ground?  Take a moment before you make another mad dash for the subway and experience a first-rate art museum at most any stop, comprised of works created in mosaic, terra cotta, bronze, glass, mixed media and sculpture.  This artwork is all created by the MTA Arts & Design program established in 1985 when the subway system was making a concerted effort to reverse years of decline.  Arts & Design commissions public art that is seen by the hundreds of thousands of city-dwellers, commuters, national and international visitors who travel by the New York City Transit system every day.  As the MTA rehabilitates subway stations it uses a portion of its funds to commission permanent works of art.  Arts & Design projects create links to neighborhoods with art that echoes the architectural history and design of the individual stations locations.  

There are over 280 stations with artwork.  Some of my favorites are:

Carrying On, by artist Janet Zweig and Edward Del Rosario at the Prince Street station (R train)

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Carrying On is composed of almost two hundred silhouettes of people hauling “stuff” with them as they walk the streets of NY.  Begun after  the 9/11 tragedy, it represents New Yorkers literally ‘carrying on’ with their lives.  The artists worked from photos of individuals moving about, in and out of the subway, always carrying something, from the sublime to the ridiculous (think surf board).  The result is a linear narrative work of miniature figures, each of whom has a story to tell.  The materials used are water jet-cut steel and marble, giving the artwork a clean modern look.

Broadway Diary, by artist Timothy Snell at the 8th Street-NYU station (R train)

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Artist Tim Snell says, “the mosaic is composed of 40 portholes that depict scenes and historic sites of the neighborhood (Grace Church, Washington Arch, Cooper Union, Astor Place)  The artwork is spread out in an architectural format throughout the station integrating the artwork with the space.

Memories of Twenty-Third Street, by artist Keith Goddard at the 23rd Street station (R train)

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From the 1800’s through the 1920’s, 23rd Street was a major vaudeville, entertainment and cultural district.  “Ladies Mile”, the fashion and department store haven of the time, was located nearby.  In his mosaic  Memories of 23rd Street, Keith Goddard represents this area through the various hats pedestrians sported back in the day.  Both everyday citizens and prominent celebrities of the time (Oscar Wild, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Sarah Bernhardt,  Houdini) are highlighted.

Alice: The Way Out, by artist Liliana Porter at the 50th Street station (1 train)

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In the series of mosaic panels, titled Alice: The Way Out, Liliana Porter’s silhouetted figures portray characters from Lewis and Carroll’s iconic novel “Alice in Wonderland”.  The artwork echo’s the stage craft found in theaters nearby.  The artist evokes the idea of the theatrical and connects it all with the experience of being underground, just as Alice was during her adventures.

The Revelers, by artist Jane Dickson at the Times Square-42nd Street station

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Long known as the crossroads of the world, Times Square is famous for many things, most notably it’s crowds, especially during the spirited celebration each New Year’s Eve.  Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world gather to watch the ball drop, ushering in the first day of the new year.  In The Revelers, 70 expressive, life-size figures, each depicted in some form of motion (walking, dancing, linking arms) are seen enjoying themselves and celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times Square.

Bear in mind that listed above we’ve only mentioned five featured subway stations.  There are at least 275 more! If you are interested in seeing the art up close and personal, consider taking the NYC Subway Art Tour.  Quirky, Bronx-born guide Darryl Reilly will take you on a three hour tour where you will discover the riches of the art underground. Cost is $30 per person.

More info and reservations at   http://nycsubwaytour.com

Sunday, September 23rd  11am – 6pm

Travel back in time at The New York Transit Museum’s annual Bus Festival.  Step aboard more than a dozen buses from the Museum’s vintage fleet representing more than 80 years of New York City surface transit history.  Some of this year’s “special guests” include:

– Betsy– A Fifth Avenue Coach Company double decker bus that ran in Manhattan from 1931 until 1956.

–Bus 3100 – A Fifth Avenue Coach line that debuted in 1956, one of the first air-conditioned transit buses nationwide.

While you’re at the Festival, make sure to spend time in the museum.  The New York Transit Museum is dedicated to telling and preserving the stories of mass transportation.  Housed in an authentic 1936 subway station in Downtown Brooklyn, The Transit Museum spans a full city block and is home to a rotating selection of 20 vintage subway and elevated cars dating back to 1907.  Sit at the wheel of a city bus, step through a time tunnel of turnstiles and explore exhibits that highlight the cultural, social and technological history – and future – of mass transit.

The New York Transit Museum is located in Downtown Brooklyn at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, accessible by over 20 bus and subway lines.  http://nytransitmuseum.org

Transitional Object (PsychoBarn) 

Whether you’re a fan of the classic 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film “Psycho,” a classic American architectural aficionado or just in need of a spectacular overhead view of Central Park, head on over to The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s newest rooftop installation “Psychobarn” by British artist Cornelia Parker.  From April 19 – October 31 (it’s never too early to plan your Halloween) stop in and see this nearly 30 Ft. high stunningly strange and sinister site.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Roof Garden,  1000 Fifth Avenue

WANDERLUST     April 21 – March 2017

Wanderlust is a group exhibtition that explores the themes of walking, journeys and pilgrimages.  Inspired by the High Line as a space of people in motion.  The exhibition features works by 10 different artist including this rather creepy one entitled Sleepwalker by artist Tony Matelli.

Artwork can be seen at various locations on the High Line

Big Bling    May 16th – January 8, 2017

Big Bling, a forty -foot high, temporary multi-tier structure by sculpture Martin Puryear will be Madison Square Park’s thirty-third public art installation.  A structure built of plywood, chainlink fencing and gold leaf, this will be the largest installation by the artist.

Madison Square Park,  Madison & 23rd Street

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How does a civic-minded, conscientious girl merge her love of baking with her appreciation of everyday folks? Enter Single Girl Cookies, one super cool girl’s quest to pay it forward ever so sweetly! Over the past few years, Renee Heitmann has been surprising local businesses in her beloved adopted neighborhood of Astoria, Queens with her secret family cookie recipes.  A professional singer and music teacher by day, Renee’s mission is all about bringing yummy happiness to her neighbors and chronicling it on Twitter and a blog. The “Single” of Single Girl Cookies symbolizes the idea that positive change can happen by a single action and a single soul. I say – Bravo, Renee!

www.singlegirlcookies.com,  Instagram@singlegirlcookies,   Twitter@AstoriaBaker

A popular restaurant for both landlubbers and sea-faring aficionados alike, Catch is a tri-level eatery housed in a historically landmarked building in the heart of the Meatpacking District.  Offering a mouth-watering menu of classic seafood temptations with a contemporary twist (how does the sound of macaroni and cheese with lobster grab you?), there’s also a wonderful rooftop area that’s perfect if you want to stop in for a cocktail or kick off the evening of fun, fine dining that awaits you here.  A little bubbly with a platter of oysters on a summer evening sounds like my idea of heaven!

Catch,  21 Ninth Ave.   (212) 392-5978

June 14th – November 26th

Fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez (1943-1987)  is the subject of a solo exhibition that explores various aspects of the work of this important artist, developing thematic sections that focus on high fashion illustrations, his relationship to particular models, his shoe and jewelry designs and images of people he came to know and love from the streets of New York City.

El Museo del Barrio,  1230 Fifth Avenue   (212) 831-7272    http://elmuseo.org

Sunday, September 25th 12-5pm

Start salivating: It’s Pickle Day on the Lower East Side!  This annual neighborhood celebration takes place on historic Orchard Street which will be transformed into a pickle bazaar featuring 20+ internationally renowned picklers, local vendors, live music, games and the first ever home pickling/dancing contest.

Orchard Street between Delancey and East Houston