Day One: Free Day

Arrival: 12:30pm in JFK Airport and coach to YMCA hostel

Once we arrived in the afternoon, we all split off and went roaming around Midtown/Downtown New York. I went with some friends to China Town, Time Square, Disney Story and the giant Toys R Us – the lights in Time Square were very intense and atmospheric.

Day Two: The Botanical Gardens and The American Illustration Museum

Half of the group (30/60) went on a drawing trip to The New York Botanical Gardens. As it was so cold outside most of us spent it inside The Conservatory where there was an exhibition of miniature buildings constructed from leaves, plants and twigs by their resident artist. There was also a cacti room, rain-forest room and water garden.

Day Three: Illustrator and Graphic Designer Studios in Brooklyn, Katz’s Delicatessen and Cinema

I joined in on the Illustrator studio visit in Brooklyn which was an invaluable experience. A couple of the illustrators (Josh Cochran andPing Zhu) very kindly brought out their work and answered our questions.

Image: Lizzie Heath – Brooklyn sketch

Day Four: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Walk the Chelsea High Line and Printed Matter visit

In the morning a few of us visited the Met (similar to the V&A and British Museum) – it was indeed full of fascinating objects and prints. We had an hour in there which only allowed us to see a handful of things on display. Afterwards we went to Chelsea to walk the Highline which is a dis-used raised set of train tracks once used to transport live stock from the port to further up the city. Now it has been converted into a walk attraction full of greenery. In the evening we visited Printed Matter which is a book shop full of artist books, self/small published publications and zines.

We also took the Staten Island Ferry which was a perfect way to see all of New York lit up at night.

Image: Lizzie Heath – Staten Island Ferry illuminated sign

Day Five: Day trip to Dia: Beacon

I went with a group out of New York to Dia:Beacon for the day; we had to take the train and got to see the beautiful landscapes along the Hudson River. Dia:Beacon is a contemporary art gallery which was founded in the 70′s and houses incredible installation and sculptural art pieces. The building used to be a dairy factory so its high walls and ceilings accommodate the artwork well. It was great to have the chance to see just outside of the city.

In the evening we attended a New York Feminist Art Institute: Discussion, a Printed Matter book launch and private views at various art galleries in Chelsea.

Image: Lizzie Heath – Train ride to Dia: Beacon along the Hudson River

Day Six: Last Day

On the final day of our trip I visited Central Park and had a nice afternoon drawing and painting around the park. At 5pm we left from the YMCA hostel and started the long trip back to Camberwell.