A Surprising Angle: Painting New York Harbor from Governors Island

June 30 - July 18, 2008 (No class July 4)

Monday - Friday, 9am-6pm

Elisa Jensen and Ophrah Shemesh

Students will paint views of New York City and New York Harbor from Governors Island. A series of small-scale works will be done to explore the possibilities of the motif as a preparation for two larger-scale works. Work will be examined as a group in regular on-site critiques. Thanks to the generosity of the National Parks Service, Governor's Island, previously owned by the United States government and "off limits" to civilians, will be the site for this three-week painting course. The island, strategically located in the middle of the harbor, provides a private, park-like setting with interesting architecture and rare views of the majestic New York City skyline, bridges, harbor and the industrial Brooklyn waterfront.

"Now I am curious what sight can ever be more stately and admirable to me than my mast-hemm'd Manhattan
My river and sun-set, and my scallop-edg'd waves of floodtide
The sea-gulls oscillating their bodies, the hay-boat in the twilight, and the belated lighter..."

Walt Whitman, "Crossing the Brooklyn Ferry"

 

Transport:

We will take the Governor's Island Ferry each day to get to the island. There is an hourly schedule. The first day, we will meet at the School at 8:30am and go to the ferry together. Your gear will be driven to the island for you on this day; gear can be stored on the island for the duration of the class. The ferry terminal is located just east of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. We must leave the isnald on the 5:15pm ferry. This will give us the opportunity to examine the harbor from Battery Park with the evening light and sunset.

Please note: You will be issued passes for the ferry. For this, you will need a picture ID, such as a driver's license or passport.