One of the most distinctive and cherished aspects of living in NYC is access to the city’s rich and multifaceted art scene. In addition to its world-famous museums — including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney — are the city’s countless galleries, promoting both up-and-coming and established artists. The Lower East Side is perhaps the most important art district in New York, with a long history of fostering world-class artists and their works. Residents of the One Manhattan Square condos are at the center of this vibrant arts community, with a growing roster of some of New York’s most exciting galleries.
A stalwart of the Lower East Side art scene is the Alexandre Gallery on Grand Street. The gallery specializes in early 20th century American artists, with a focus on Stieglitz group artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Oscar Bluemner, and Arthur Dove. Their current exhibitions include works by American artist Neil Welliver that span his 40-year career. From works on paper to large-scale landscapes, Bitforms Gallery on Allen Street features artists engaged in new media art that connects with current technology. Its artists have been featured in major museum collections across the globe, and the gallery also includes emerging and up-and-coming artists. Its current exhibition, “World Wind,” with works by Marina Zurkow in collaboration with James Schmitz, has been extended to Feb. 18.
On Broome Street, you’ll find the Derek Eller Gallery, which champions emerging talent while also promoting established but underrecognized contemporary artists. Foley Gallery on Orchard Street exhibits works across multiple disciplines — including photography, cut paper, drawing, and painting. High Noon on Forsyth Street describes the model for its work as “pro-growth and collaborative,” and supports emerging and established artists. Finally, James Fuentes on Delancey Street features “atypical” contemporary artists and is known for “its focus on humanity, history, and society with a nonexclusionary approach.” Their current exhibition features Polish artist Jakub Julian Ziolkowski’s monotypes on paper.
With nearly every block of the Lower East Side featuring another fascinating gallery, One Manhattan Square residents can explore world-class artists in a neighborhood rich with new works and a longstanding history at the cutting edge of the world’s art scene.