13 Things to Do in NYC this Summer

Summer is here, and if you’re planning a getaway to New York City or if you’re just a native wondering what to do to beat the heat, there are many wonderful options for you.  Whether exploring solo, on a first date, or looking for family fun, Vanessa Seis, Fall Fair Director of Affordable Art Fair NYC, has compiled a list of events, fun locations, art exhibitions, and cultural activities that will help you make the most of summer in the NYC area.

Affordable Art Fair NYC’s Spring Fair courtesy of Phillip Reed

CURRENT ART EXHIBITIONS / EVENTS:
1.  We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965–85 at Brooklyn Museum
ON VIEW: 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!
https://www.brooklynmuseum.org

2.  The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s and PROCESS LAB: CITIZEN DESIGN at Cooper Hewitt Design Museum
On VIEW: April 07, 2017 – August 20, 2017
The Jazz Age is a flashback to the 1920’s, featuring over 400 examples of interior design, industrial design, decorative art, jewelry, fashion, and architecture, as well as related music and film. PROCESS LAB: CITIZEN DESIGN on the other hand 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.
https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/exhibitions/975141995/

3.  Arts in Bushwick Community Day 2017 Hosted by Arts in Bushwick at House of Yes
DATE: June 17, 2017
A super fun day for the entire family, Arts in Bushwick Community Day features art, live music, performances, kid’s activities, and so much more. Make sure to pick up information about Bushwick Open Studios in September, one of my favorite open studios events in NYC.
https://artsinbushwick.org/events/arts-in-bushwick-community-day-2017/

4.  JUST UNDER 100: NEW PRINTS 2017/SUMMER Selected by Katherine Bradford
ON VIEW: 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.
http://www.ipcny.org/exhibitions/just-under-100/

5.  Circle Shade – 2πR4 by Eva Jensen Design at Socrates Sculpture Park
ON VIEW: JUNE 21, 2017 – OCTOBER 28, 2017
In the summer, there is nothing better than blue skies and large-scale installations!
http://socratessculpturepark.org/exhibition/follyfunction-circle-shade/

6.  Katja Novitskova, EARTH POTENTIAL presented by Public Art Fund
ON VIEW: from June 22 – November 9, 2017 June 22 in City Hall Park 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!
https://www.publicartfund.org/view/exhibitions/6188_katja_novitskova_earth_potential

UPCOMING ART EXHIBITIONS / EVENTS:

7.  MoMA PS1 Warm Up 2017 Outdoor Music Series

MoMA PS1’s Warm Up 2016 featuring Maya Jane Coles. Image courtesy of MoMA PS1. Photo by Charles Roussel.

DATE: July 1, 3:00 p.m
In its 20th season, Warm Up at MoMA PS1 is a summer staple for me!
https://www.moma.org/calendar/programs/106?gclid=CI2s-5LSrtQCFceKswodHWcE6A&gclsrc=aw.ds

8.  Summer Open House at the Bronx Museum of the Arts
DATE: July 15, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
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.
http://www.bronxmuseum.org/events/open-house_4

9.  The New York Women’s Surf Film Festival
DATE: July 28 & July 29
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!
http://womenssurffilmfestival.com/

10.  Ettore Sottsass: Design Radical AT THE MET BREUER
ON VIEW: 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!
http://metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2017/ettore-sottsass

11.  Beach Sessions Dance Series
DATE: August 19 & August 26
Curated by my dear friend Sasha Okshteyn, Beach Sessions Dance Series is an outdoor public program providing dance performances, public events, and environmental initiatives to the local community. Beach Sessions is now in its third year and there’s nothing better than sitting in the sand and watching the dancers as the sun sets into the ocean behind them. Make the trip out to Rockaway, enjoy the performances and participate in the beach cleanup after!
http://www.beachsessionsdanceseries.com/

12.  Gallery Tours at Wave Hill
DATE: Tours take place Saturdays and Tuesdays.
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!
https://www.wavehill.org/

13.  The Metropolitan Opera, Summer HD Festival

A photo from the Metropolitan Opera’s 2015 Summer HD Festival on Lincoln Center Plaza. Photo: Jonathan Tichler / Metropolitan Opera

ON VIEW: 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.
http://www.metopera.org/Season/free-met-summer-events/