This weekend my Mom and I…
…set out on an adventure! We went on a Lower East Side Gallery Tour. It was a really interesting event put together by the Brown Club of New York (I'm a Brown graduate).
We met up with a small group on the Lower East Side to explore a number of galleries. The Lower East Side is kind of a new area for galleries and many of the galleries that are there represent emerging artists rather than established ones. Quite exciting!
At each of the galleries the gallerist gave us a quick talk about the art currently hanging, the gallery's mission, as well as answering any questions we might have. I have to confess that I had a bit of an "emperor's not wearing any clothes" reaction to much of the art. That said, I think it's important to expose yourself to what's happening in the art world, even if it's not your cup of tea.
And, as with much of contemporary art, it's interesting to hear the background behind the artwork. I find that a great deal of contemporary art's interest or importance can't be seen, but rather has to be understood based on either history or the artist's process. It's a really different way of thinking about art.
One of the special moments of the tour was seeing a gallery space under construction.
I enjoyed getting to peek at the raw space and hear all about the plans for the space. Essentially, the gallery is expanding and creating a show space, party space, office space, and even working space for visiting artists! It's going to be a little art complex. Pretty cool.
In general, the architecture and design of the galleries was one of my favorite parts of the tour. Most of the galleries are in old buildings that have been converted into a show space and they're filled with lovely old wood and original details. Here's a staircase I fell in love with:
And a beautiful exposed beam ceiling:
As we strolled between galleries, there was plenty of NYC to see as well.
But my hands down absolute favorite part of the tour was the lunch we had at the end.
The meal wasn't particularly special, but it was fantastic to have the opportunity to chat with everyone about what we saw, why they came on the tour, and to hear all about each person's personal connection to art.
There are so many different ways to spend an artful afternoon — this was an intellectual one. I really enjoyed expanding my horizons and opening up my mind to some new ideas.
Thanks for stopping by!
Looks like a great time, I really should check out the galleries in my city some day very soon. Oh and I really loved your ’emperor has no clothes’ explanation lol
Looks like a great time, I really should check out the galleries in my city some day very soon. Oh and I really loved your ’emperor has no clothes’ explanation lol
Looks like a great time, I really should check out the galleries in my city some day very soon. Oh and I really loved your ’emperor has no clothes’ explanation lol
Looks like a great time, I really should check out the galleries in my city some day very soon. Oh and I really loved your ’emperor has no clothes’ explanation lol
Looks like a great time, I really should check out the galleries in my city some day very soon. Oh and I really loved your ’emperor has no clothes’ explanation lol
You two are gorgeous. I am glad your having fun with your mum. Xx
You two are gorgeous. I am glad your having fun with your mum. Xx
You two are gorgeous. I am glad your having fun with your mum. Xx
You two are gorgeous. I am glad your having fun with your mum. Xx
You two are gorgeous. I am glad your having fun with your mum. Xx
Thank you for sharing! Next time I visit with my son in the city I will have to add this to our list of “thing” to do! Wonderful photos! I love your sun glasses!
Thank you for sharing! Next time I visit with my son in the city I will have to add this to our list of “thing” to do! Wonderful photos! I love your sun glasses!
Thank you for sharing! Next time I visit with my son in the city I will have to add this to our list of “thing” to do! Wonderful photos! I love your sun glasses!
Thank you for sharing! Next time I visit with my son in the city I will have to add this to our list of “thing” to do! Wonderful photos! I love your sun glasses!
Thank you for sharing! Next time I visit with my son in the city I will have to add this to our list of “thing” to do! Wonderful photos! I love your sun glasses!
I so love to take pics of signs when I’m out and about and the trash one is definitely one that I would have taken. Looks like a nice artsy day with your Mom. Hello Mom:-)
I so love to take pics of signs when I’m out and about and the trash one is definitely one that I would have taken. Looks like a nice artsy day with your Mom. Hello Mom:-)
I so love to take pics of signs when I’m out and about and the trash one is definitely one that I would have taken. Looks like a nice artsy day with your Mom. Hello Mom:-)
I so love to take pics of signs when I’m out and about and the trash one is definitely one that I would have taken. Looks like a nice artsy day with your Mom. Hello Mom:-)
I so love to take pics of signs when I’m out and about and the trash one is definitely one that I would have taken. Looks like a nice artsy day with your Mom. Hello Mom:-)
Thanks for sharing this! When I was in NY last week we spent a few hours wandering deep into Chinatown and then in the East Village. I never saw the galleries, but did see lots of amazing graffiti. There are so many layers in ny. I too love your “emperor has no clothes” description of your reaction. I even had that a bit at the Guggenheim last week, though mostly not.
Thanks for sharing this! When I was in NY last week we spent a few hours wandering deep into Chinatown and then in the East Village. I never saw the galleries, but did see lots of amazing graffiti. There are so many layers in ny. I too love your “emperor has no clothes” description of your reaction. I even had that a bit at the Guggenheim last week, though mostly not.
Thanks for sharing this! When I was in NY last week we spent a few hours wandering deep into Chinatown and then in the East Village. I never saw the galleries, but did see lots of amazing graffiti. There are so many layers in ny. I too love your “emperor has no clothes” description of your reaction. I even had that a bit at the Guggenheim last week, though mostly not.
Thanks for sharing this! When I was in NY last week we spent a few hours wandering deep into Chinatown and then in the East Village. I never saw the galleries, but did see lots of amazing graffiti. There are so many layers in ny. I too love your “emperor has no clothes” description of your reaction. I even had that a bit at the Guggenheim last week, though mostly not.
Thanks for sharing this! When I was in NY last week we spent a few hours wandering deep into Chinatown and then in the East Village. I never saw the galleries, but did see lots of amazing graffiti. There are so many layers in ny. I too love your “emperor has no clothes” description of your reaction. I even had that a bit at the Guggenheim last week, though mostly not.
This is totally off the subject, but I wanted to say thank you. I got a C in 7th grade art, and for over 35 years avoided it because I wasn’t “good at art.” Then I started reading your blog, over time moving from observing you and others “do art” to finally dipping in my toe. I’m now dabbling with art journal pages and encouraging my kids to join me. My son saw me reading your blog and asked who you were. “She’s my art teacher, honey.” Thank you, Julie, for sharing your talents so generously with all of us.
This is totally off the subject, but I wanted to say thank you. I got a C in 7th grade art, and for over 35 years avoided it because I wasn’t “good at art.” Then I started reading your blog, over time moving from observing you and others “do art” to finally dipping in my toe. I’m now dabbling with art journal pages and encouraging my kids to join me. My son saw me reading your blog and asked who you were. “She’s my art teacher, honey.” Thank you, Julie, for sharing your talents so generously with all of us.
This is totally off the subject, but I wanted to say thank you. I got a C in 7th grade art, and for over 35 years avoided it because I wasn’t “good at art.” Then I started reading your blog, over time moving from observing you and others “do art” to finally dipping in my toe. I’m now dabbling with art journal pages and encouraging my kids to join me. My son saw me reading your blog and asked who you were. “She’s my art teacher, honey.” Thank you, Julie, for sharing your talents so generously with all of us.
This is totally off the subject, but I wanted to say thank you. I got a C in 7th grade art, and for over 35 years avoided it because I wasn’t “good at art.” Then I started reading your blog, over time moving from observing you and others “do art” to finally dipping in my toe. I’m now dabbling with art journal pages and encouraging my kids to join me. My son saw me reading your blog and asked who you were. “She’s my art teacher, honey.” Thank you, Julie, for sharing your talents so generously with all of us.
This is totally off the subject, but I wanted to say thank you. I got a C in 7th grade art, and for over 35 years avoided it because I wasn’t “good at art.” Then I started reading your blog, over time moving from observing you and others “do art” to finally dipping in my toe. I’m now dabbling with art journal pages and encouraging my kids to join me. My son saw me reading your blog and asked who you were. “She’s my art teacher, honey.” Thank you, Julie, for sharing your talents so generously with all of us.
Julie, you are looking FABULOUS!!!!! It’s hard work to get healthy but so worth it!!!!
Julie, you are looking FABULOUS!!!!! It’s hard work to get healthy but so worth it!!!!
Julie, you are looking FABULOUS!!!!! It’s hard work to get healthy but so worth it!!!!
Julie, you are looking FABULOUS!!!!! It’s hard work to get healthy but so worth it!!!!
Julie, you are looking FABULOUS!!!!! It’s hard work to get healthy but so worth it!!!!
Lookit how skinny you are! Those elevator mirror pics have changed so much in the last year – good for you!
Lookit how skinny you are! Those elevator mirror pics have changed so much in the last year – good for you!
Lookit how skinny you are! Those elevator mirror pics have changed so much in the last year – good for you!
Lookit how skinny you are! Those elevator mirror pics have changed so much in the last year – good for you!
Lookit how skinny you are! Those elevator mirror pics have changed so much in the last year – good for you!
Hi Julie! Have you read the book “The Gallery Girl”? I just read it for an “Artful Book Club” that is held at a local gallery here in MN. If you haven’t read it you might find it super interesting! It’s a biography of Edith Gregor Halpert – one of the first modern art gallery owners in NYC/the US. Towards the end she was representing artists such as Georgia O’Keefe and Stuart Davis, amongst many others. It’s quite long, but after reading it I feel like I just went through “modern art dealing, curating, & collecting in America: 101”. 😉 She was a super interesting character, and as her fellow New Yorker you may be super intrigued to hear some inside scoop on the early days in galleries in NYC! Cheers!
Hi Julie! Have you read the book “The Gallery Girl”? I just read it for an “Artful Book Club” that is held at a local gallery here in MN. If you haven’t read it you might find it super interesting! It’s a biography of Edith Gregor Halpert – one of the first modern art gallery owners in NYC/the US. Towards the end she was representing artists such as Georgia O’Keefe and Stuart Davis, amongst many others. It’s quite long, but after reading it I feel like I just went through “modern art dealing, curating, & collecting in America: 101”. 😉 She was a super interesting character, and as her fellow New Yorker you may be super intrigued to hear some inside scoop on the early days in galleries in NYC! Cheers!
Hi Julie! Have you read the book “The Gallery Girl”? I just read it for an “Artful Book Club” that is held at a local gallery here in MN. If you haven’t read it you might find it super interesting! It’s a biography of Edith Gregor Halpert – one of the first modern art gallery owners in NYC/the US. Towards the end she was representing artists such as Georgia O’Keefe and Stuart Davis, amongst many others. It’s quite long, but after reading it I feel like I just went through “modern art dealing, curating, & collecting in America: 101”. 😉 She was a super interesting character, and as her fellow New Yorker you may be super intrigued to hear some inside scoop on the early days in galleries in NYC! Cheers!
Hi Julie! Have you read the book “The Gallery Girl”? I just read it for an “Artful Book Club” that is held at a local gallery here in MN. If you haven’t read it you might find it super interesting! It’s a biography of Edith Gregor Halpert – one of the first modern art gallery owners in NYC/the US. Towards the end she was representing artists such as Georgia O’Keefe and Stuart Davis, amongst many others. It’s quite long, but after reading it I feel like I just went through “modern art dealing, curating, & collecting in America: 101”. 😉 She was a super interesting character, and as her fellow New Yorker you may be super intrigued to hear some inside scoop on the early days in galleries in NYC! Cheers!
Hi Julie! Have you read the book “The Gallery Girl”? I just read it for an “Artful Book Club” that is held at a local gallery here in MN. If you haven’t read it you might find it super interesting! It’s a biography of Edith Gregor Halpert – one of the first modern art gallery owners in NYC/the US. Towards the end she was representing artists such as Georgia O’Keefe and Stuart Davis, amongst many others. It’s quite long, but after reading it I feel like I just went through “modern art dealing, curating, & collecting in America: 101”. 😉 She was a super interesting character, and as her fellow New Yorker you may be super intrigued to hear some inside scoop on the early days in galleries in NYC! Cheers!
Hi Julie how are you losing all this weight? You look fabulous !
Hi Julie how are you losing all this weight? You look fabulous !
Hi Julie how are you losing all this weight? You look fabulous !
Hi Julie how are you losing all this weight? You look fabulous !
Hi Julie how are you losing all this weight? You look fabulous !