With so much going on in New York City, it can be hard to decide what to do. To make it easier for you, we caught up with Vanessa Seis, Fall Fair Director of the Affordable Art Fair, who gave us the scoop on the best events to check out this summer. Keep reading to find out what she had to say about some of her favorite artists and where to find New York’s best-kept secrets.
1. Process Lab: Citizen Design
Where: Cooper Hewitt, 2 East 91 Street, New York, NY
When: September 30, 2016 – September 17, 2017
“Process Lab: Citizen Design is an exhibition that invites you to think about what you and your community care about, what the issues are, and what design tactics you would propose to make a positive change. It’s fascinating to realize how much you’re impacted by the design of your surroundings and it’s exciting to think about the changes that can be made to improve your community.”
2. We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965-85
Where: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY
When: April 21 – September 17, 2017
“This amazing exhibition features the works of over 40 black women artists who were creating work during the emergence of second-wave feminism, 1965-85. One of my favorite pieces is “Revolutionary (Angela Davis)” by Wadsworth A. Jarrell. It’s incredibly powerful and inspiring.”
Where: Wave Hill, 649 W 249th St, Bronx, NY
When: Every Saturday and Tuesday, 2 p.m.
“Wave Hill has a special place in my heart and I think it’s one of the best-kept secret escapes in NYC. In 2014, Affordable Art Fair NYC had the opportunity to work with Gabriel de Guzman, Wave Hill’s Curator of Visual Arts, who curated the Recent Graduate Exhibition Curator at the spring and fall editions. It was fantastic!”
4. Just Under 100: New Prints 2017/Summer
Where: International Print Center New York, 508 West 26th Street, Room 5A, New York, NY
When: June 17 – September 16, 2017
“Look out for work by my friend and artist Cary Hulbert. Cary works primarily in print and installation, and I’m super excited we got her on board for the upcoming fall edition of the Affordable Art Fair NYC, where Cary will be producing a Limited Edition Print that will be for sale at the fair.”
5. Katja Novitskova: EARTH POTENTIAL
Where: City Hall Park, Chambers Street & Broadway
When: June 22 – November 9, 2017
“Seven large aluminum sculptures will be scattered throughout City Hall Park, inviting passersby to reflect on the ways in which we see—and comprehend—the potential of the Earth. I can’t wait to experience how the sculptures will interact with their surrounding and how people will respond to it.”
Where: MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, NY
When: Every Saturday, July 1 – September 2, 2017, 3 – 9 p.m.
“In its 20th season, Warm Up at MoMA PS1 is a summer staple for me!”
7. Summer Open House at the Bronx Museum of the Arts
Where: Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY
When: July 15, 2017, 6 – 9 p.m.
“Expect a fun evening ahead! With free admission and a free bar (donations suggested), the opening of the Bronx Museum’s summer open house will feature live music and performances by emerging artists engaged in the “Artist in the Marketplace (AIM)” program, as well as access to all exhibitions on view.”
8. Ettore Sottsass: Design Radical
Where: The Met Breur, 945 Madison Avenue, New York, NY
When: July 21 – October 8, 2017
“Ettore Sottsass’ productive career and radical approach to design fascinates me. I can’t wait to see his work in dialogue with ancient objects and the works of designers that were inspired by him. Just looking at his colorful designs also really makes me happy.”
9. New York Women’s Surf Film Festival
Where: Rockaway Beach Surf Club, 302 Beach 87th Street, Rockaway Beach, NY
When: July 28 – 29, 2017, 7 p.m.
“Hosted at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club, the New York Women’s Surf Film Festival, a project of Lava Girl Surf, celebrates filmmakers and female wave riders. Get a group of ladies together and make the trip out there. It’s super inspiring and definitely worth the trip.”
10. The Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival
Where: Lincoln Center Plaza, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY
When: August 25 – Labor Day
“Get some friends together, bring a picnic, and enjoy free screenings of The Metropolitan Opera’s summer program in beautiful Lincoln Center Plaza.”
top photo // via @momaps1
