New York Adventure Club

Rare Look Inside the Gertrude Whitney Studio: First Site of Whitney Museum

Fri, Apr 3 · 3:00 PM EDT

New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, 8 W 8th St, New York, NY, US

Tickets: $34.70 ( incl. $4.70 fees ) (advance registration required)

Click the link below to register for this event:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1984398461216

In 1907, Gilded Age sculptor and art patron Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney made a radical decision: instead of continuing to work inside her palatial mansion on Fifth Avenue, she would purchase a former 19th-century stable and convert it into her dedicated art studio. The action was ridiculed by New York's high society, summed up by the Topeka Daily Capital article headline, “Daughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt Will Live in Dingy New York Alley.” But over the next 35 years, Whitney would expand the site to a complex of eight connected structures, turning it into a hub of art-making and exhibitions and eventually opening a full-fledged museum in 1931. It's time to explore the remnants of this original studio and Whitney legacy like never before.

Join New York Adventure Club for a rare trip inside the original site of the Whitney Museum of American Art, today a National Historic Landmark.

Led by a member of the New York Studio School (NYSS), our exploration of this historic space will include:

• A discussion of the rollicking, influential life of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
• An introduction to the thriving bohemian culture of Greenwich Village in the early 20th century
• An overview of the near demolition of the building in 1967, and the early years of the School, with figures like Philip Guston, Mercedes Matter, Elaine de Kooning, and others
• A walkthrough of the former exhibition spaces of the original Whitney Museum, including the studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French — designer of the Lincoln Memorial statue
• Special access to the private cul-de-sac MacDougal Alley, located behind the NYSS
• A rare look inside the historic Whitney studio designed by Robert Winthrop Chanler

See you there!

*The New York Studio School does not have an elevator

Testimonials

"I liked having a chance to glimpse a bygone bit of history and to see that venue is being given continued life and purpose." -Dennis

"I was able to see the part of the studio not usually accessible to normal visitors, the giant fireplace and the McDougal alley about which I had no idea, even though I've been around in the village countless times." -Gabriela

"Getting to see a part of the city i didnt even know was there!" -Finlay

"Interesting venue. Well organized." -Lucy

"Getting to see an important site in the art history of New York" -Yael

"It was interesting learning about the building and its history" -Dayna

"Never would have known about it any other way! Thanks!" -Suzanne

"The tour guide was amazing!!" -Lilly

"Amazing building, look at the private alley" -Yevgeniya

"Loved seeing an interior landmark that is otherwise inaccessible." -Ralph

Disclaimer

By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.

Categories: In-Person, Museums & Galleries

The Rise of Women Artists in America, Part 3: Finding Her Way (Re-Air)

Fri, Apr 3 · 5:30 PM EDT

Location not specified yet

Tickets: $18.88 ( incl. $3.88 fees ) (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1982890228050

This is a re-aired recording of this program’s most recent live webinar. Once the viewing period ends, this recording will not be offered again for at least one year.

In an art world that historically treated men as the only true artistic geniuses, women struggled to find a place. But by the mid-1800s in the United States, some women artists were willing to buck cultural norms of art-making only as a hobby and find recognition as professionals. Who were the American women artists that were able to break the art world's glass ceiling in the 19th and 20th centuries? And who fell into obscurity with their deaths, after success in their lifetimes? It's time to re-engage with these women who painted a portrait of the joys and challenges of becoming working artists, as well as the radically changing world of modern America.

Join New York Adventure Club for a three-part series that explores the art and lives of American women artists working before World War II. In Part Three — Finding Her Way — we focus on several women artists who were both popular and critically successful in their day. Each navigated gender restrictions, changing social norms, and restricted career options to break through barriers that men never faced. Considered together, their works reveal what life was historically like for middle-class, urban women.

Led by American Art Historian Rena Tobey, our artistic deep dive will include:

• An overview of women artists from the mid-19th century to the Great Depression, who collectively painted a picture of urban women's lives
• A discussion around the challenges women artists faced in a changing America, and how they navigated societal expectations of women’s domestic roles with their drive to be professionals
• A close look at select paintings that tell the story of the difficult choices women artists had to make during this time period, such as the decision to sacrifice their personal lives for their art career
• A conversation around how the perception of women artists evolved between 1850-1945

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

The Rise of Women Artists in America Series
Part 1: Mary Cassatt (Friday, March 20 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 2: Georgia O'Keeffe (Friday, March 27 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 3: Finding Her Way (Friday, April 3 @ 5:30pm ET)

About Rena
Rena Tobey is an American art historian whose passion centers on making art accessible, insightful, and fun. She has taught at NYU's School for Professional Studies and Southern Connecticut State University. Rena conducts lively, interactive tours of New York City's museum collections, now online. Her research and writing centers on American women artists working before 1945, with particular interest in the challenges they faced in bucking societal norms.

Testimonials
" Very well organized, intelligently presented with an engaging and charming manner" -Debra
" Rena's knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm." -Ellen
" Presenter’s passion and knowledge about subject. Very interesting topic. Excellent gripping presentation. Audience Interaction stimulating." Katharine
" It was a lovely walk thru history! Rena did a great presentation. Would love to see more presentations from her in the future." -Kathleen
" Rena is an excellent educator." -Nelly
" Rena is an excellent teacher." -Laura
" Informative & interesting. Very good speaker. An excellent teacher." -Ellen Y.
" The lecturer was very knowledgeable and pointed out different parts of each painting." -Kathleen W.
" Presentation excellent,organized, informative..." -Joanne
" Rena Tobey is an excellent lecturer and teacher. I always learn a lot from her." -Frances
" She is a good teacher and allows audience to particapate" -Sharon
" Presenter was fabulous and interesting to listen to" -Alba
" The subject matter is wonderful and Rena is a great teacher. I have taken classes/tours/lectures with her and am never disappointed. The best!" -Elizabeth
" Rena was gracious, inclusive, knowledgable and accessible" -Joanna
" The subject matter. The chosen works. Rena was excellent. Very interesting. Was the best webinar I've done since the start of Corona madness." -Talya
" Wonderful speaker and interesting topic" -Helen
" Rena is very knowledgeable and shares a lot on info an easy way." -Catherine
" It was so well organized and presented, along with great information and charm" -Joan
" Rena is wonderful lecturer. Fascinating detail and insight." -Patricia
" Excellent narration by Reba. So much knowledge and enthusiam. She deserves a medal." -Barry
" Loved the presenters enthusiasm and knowledge of subject." -Jacquie
" Rena is so knowledgeable and engaging. She has a great way of showing lesser known art and really getting into the details. Loved it. I also appreciated her clean slides with black background, clean font use, and detail shots of the art." -Jessica
" Presenter was fabulous, so knowledgeable and insightful. Loved being introduced to women artists who were unfamiliar to me - and connecting their work to the period, providing commentary on the cultural, social, and political world of the day. Wonderful." -Maureen
" The speaker was extremely organized and energized and engaged with the attendees." -Jo-Ann
" Speaker was knowledgeable and passionate. Very clear ideas and audience involvement. Very good visuals - each told a story illustrating a concept. bravo!" -Linda
" Seeing artists I had not known of and looking in detail at their art with a wonderful guide" -Kathy
" As always, I love the way Rena provides background and gets us to look closely at the artwork." -Sandra
" I loved how she gave the backstory – the big ones meaning the state of the nation politically and in terms of racial and female oppression, financial and social etc. and then the artists personal lives out of which they painted, and motivations for the works as well as the specifics of the art itself which is something I know nothing about." -Sharon R.
" The presenter was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The paintings were easy to see on my iPad. I learned a great deal." -Marianne
" Learned about some new artists. Loved all the artwork." -Christy
" The teacher was amazing! She not only tells interesting stories but uses the interactivity of the chat really well. Just loved it." -Jan
" Information imparted in such an interesting with complete understanding of subject was fabulous. Reba is excellent as a tutor with every word spoken important. Her use of comments makes everyone inclusive. I will sign up for all of her presentations. Thank you so much. I will listen again a few times." -Elaine
"Excellent speaker and very well informed. Presents the material in such an interesting way. The speaker was very quick to reply to all comments in the chat. Excellent!" -Carolyn
" I love the host. Its her style of speaking along with a deep knowledge of the material. I would like to take more webinars with her." -Carol
"Excellent presentation, knowledgeable presenter, beautiful paintings that helped illustrate her points" -Sharron
"Rena is a terrific presenter and has a solid grasp of the subject matter. I learned so much" -Nancie
"I enjoyed the specific events about Mary Cassat and Georgia O'Keeffe. The third event "Finding Her Way" was really interesting. I liked learning about these women artists that I had never heard of." -Maureen
"The images selected for discussion were just gorgeous; and Rena's guidance in examining the works is just brilliant. I learn so much - and am always motivated to visit galleries and learn - and put some of my new learning to use! Rena is brilliant, engaging, and motivating. The artwork selected just fabulous. Nothing to share except - to keep them coming! Such wonderful expertise - such a great way to spend an afternoon, as if I were actually visiting some of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago art museums - and beyond. I love learning about the artists and examining their work with the scholarly, enthusiastic assistance of an expert. Just very wonderful." -Maureen C.
"Wonderful content and presentation" -Linda
"The presenter was excellent- knowledgeable, interesting & engaging" -Judy
"The presenter is so knowledgeable!" -Carolyn
"Content, presenter, overall concept of NY Adventure Webinar" -Donna
"New information but such a good presenter" -Katherine
"I appreciated the historical journey of women. We stand on a lot of shoulders!" -Lisa
"The speaker is very enthusiastic, she explained things very clearly" -Kristan
"Rena taught us so much!" -Mary
"Rena Tobey is superb. Anyone interested in art and art history should make it a point to listen to Rena Tobey's webinars. If I could take a class with her, I would." -Deborah
"Everything! She's amazing!" -Nicki

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment

Pelé’s New York: Exploring the Manhattan Sites of His American Soccer Era

Sat, Apr 4 · 11:00 AM EDT

Doris C Freedman Plaza, 60th & 5th Ave, New York, NY, US

Tickets: $39.98 ( incl. $4.98 fees ) (advance registration required)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1984486617895

Edson Arantes do Nascimento — better known to the world as Pelé — rose from humble beginnings in Brazil to become the most celebrated soccer player in history, winning three World Cups and captivating millions with his extraordinary talent. By the time he arrived in New York City in 1975 to join the New York Cosmos, the global icon had already transformed the sport. In honor of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it’s time to explore the Manhattan landmarks tied to Pelé’s unforgettable American chapter.

Join New York Adventure Club as we hit the streets for a special walking tour through Midtown Manhattan that retraces Pelé’s remarkable New York story — from the moment the Brazilian superstar arrived to sign with the Cosmos to the glamorous social scene that surrounded him during soccer’s most electric era in America.

Led by licensed New York City Tour Guide Ann McDermott, our unique experience will include:

• A discussion of Pelé’s groundbreaking arrival in 1975, and how his signing with the New York Cosmos helped ignite a soccer revolution across the United States
• A visit to the Plaza Hotel and Grand Army Plaza, where Pelé stayed during his trip to New York to finalize his historic Cosmos contract
• A walk past the former site of the legendary 21 Club, the iconic Midtown restaurant where Pelé officially signed with the Cosmos
• An overview of the corporate forces behind the Cosmos, including Warner Communications and the influential figures tied to Park Avenue Plaza and Rockefeller Center
• A stop outside the former Studio 54, where Pelé mingled with celebrities, athletes, and cultural icons during the height of New York’s legendary nightlife

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!
**This tour concludes on 54th Street near 8th Avenue

About Ann
Ann McDermott, a native born New Yorker has spent her whole life in NYC born in Brooklyn, working in midtown and going to Rock shows where ever they happened. She's spent the bulk of her career in IT in various positions and she's well versed in the technology behind the music as well as the people who "made it happen". Once upon a time she worked for Warner Cable the company that launched MTV as well as ATCO records. In 2019 she became a licensed New York City Tour Guide and looks forward to showing you around!

Disclaimer
Event takes place rain or shine.
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Photo Credit: Main - Dave Merrell, Top Right - Ivan Rohovchenko
Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours

The Secret Eats of Chinatown, Manhattan Food Crawl

Sat, Apr 4 · 11:00 AM EDT

Columbus Park, (Exact Location Revealed in Confirmation Email), New York, ny, US

Tickets: $71.63 ( incl. $6.63 fees ) (advance registration required)

Click the link below to register for this event:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1968236537467

While Chinatown might seem touristy these days, it's still hiding some of the best bites in NYC...if you know where to look. Get ready to experience a food crawl that will lead you to the neighborhood's best-kept secrets (if you can keep it hush-hush).

Join New York Adventure Club as we journey through the twisted back streets of present-day Chinatown to eat at some of the neighborhood’s best culinary destinations, while learning about the highs and lows it has endured over the past several generations.

Led by prominent neighborhood expert Mike Morgenthal, our culinary experience will include:

• A custom-made NY Adventure Club route to showcase the best Chinatown eateries hiding in plain sight
• The story of Chinatown throughout New York’s history, from Five Points to the first Chinese language theater in New York City to the neighborhood of today
• A bite at several different off-the-beaten-path Chinatown eateries, from scallion pancakes and dumplings, to beef jerky and steamed buns

Come hungry!

*Your ticket includes tastings at every eatery on the tour

**There are no bathroom breaks on the tour

***Please bring water and a pair of comfortable shoes as we’ll be on our feet for the duration of the tour

****This experience ends at the corner of Grand and Mott Sts.

*****Food served for this experience cannot be altered for individual dietary needs. Please contact support[at]nyadventureclub[dot]com with any allergies the tour guide should be aware of.

Testimonials
"I liked the thoughtfulness of the guide for our comfort." -Nancy

"Great tastings, really nice tour guide and a good group of people on the tour." -Rhonda

"The tour guide spoke in a loud and clear voice. He certainly knew the history of Chinatown and took us to five excellent restaurants." -Joy

"Mike was a great guide - approachable, clear, composed. He gave some great history and background of the area without overwhelming. The food segments went smoothly as well." -Jessica

"Fun, relaxed pace. Great tour guide." -Randy

"Mike was friendly, knowledgeable and considerate. Food was great too." -Jim

"The food! And the guide! Found out some interesting stuff!" -Jessica
"Mike was a great tour guide, very knowledgeable and personable. He took us to places we’ve never been." -Alyson

"It was everything I expected. Delightful way to spend 2 hours, sampling good Chinese delights, while also learning some history of the area." -Joel

"Fantastic guide, compelling food." -Mike

"Guide was engaging and fun." -Kent

"Wandering through Chinatown with a knowledgable guide, stopping to sample Chinese food is very special." -Sheila

"Well paced. Very informative. All delicious." -Sara

"Mike and the food were awesome. Knowledgeable and informative. Great personality." -Jason

"The variety in food selection was wonderful." -Paul

"I liked the guide, the participants - it was such a pleasant tour" -Susan
"Good food, not to long walk, interesting history" -Lisa

"Tour guide was very knowledgeable." -Suzanne

"I enjoyed the food and history of the neighborhood - Michael was extremely knowledgeable" -Ann

"Guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the area. Very interesting." -Joan

"Variety of foods sampled and restaurants I'd not have found on my own." -William

"Mike was very smart and did a great job!" -Stephanie

"Thought the tour guide was very good. He was interesting and it was a good mix of talking about chinatown and also some yummy food tastings and also we got to sit a few times which was nice in such hot weather." -Lorraine

"Good spread of different foods" -Joel

"Very knowledgeable guide, interesting information, good food, well-paced tour." -John

"The guide was very well prepared with the food orders called into the establishments and with napkins and paper plates and bags to take home the extras. The portions were generous." -Dawn

"Everything! Informative & excellent restaurants." -Rachael

"Great guide with lots of knowledge and a good sense of humor." -Kenneth

"Mike really knew his history about Chinatown. Also the food places he recommended were really good." -Nancy

"Mike was knowledgeable, professional and kind" -Debbie

"It delivered what we wanted - cool out of the way places to eat with delish food. It was fab. Can't wait to do the next one." -Joy

Disclaimer
Event takes place rain or shine.

By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.