Women of Culture NYC

Art-full Island Escape: Art, Nature & Relaxation on Governors Island

Sat, Aug 22 · 1:30 PM EDT

Governors Island, New York, NY, US

​Not heading out of town this August? Trade airport lines & travel delays for an inspiring island escape just eight minutes from Manhattan.

Advance Purchase Required here​

​On Saturday August 22nd, you’re invited to join us to escape the city without leaving New York! Spend a summer afternoon on Governors Island, where contemporary art, waterfront landscapes, historic architecture, and unexpected creative encounters come together.

​We’ll explore the island as a group, following its leafy pathways and harbor promenades into artist studios, exhibitions, historic houses, and cultural spaces that are rarely experienced in a single visit. More than a traditional art walk, this thoughtfully curated outing offers an inside look at the artists, organizations, and ideas transforming Governors Island into one of New York City’s most dynamic creative destinations.

​A highlight of the afternoon will be the LMCC Arts Center's Open Studios, where artists will welcome us into their working spaces to share works in progress and offer a glimpse into the creative process. We’ll also experience Noo Arts’ WE ARE NATURE: Transformation Stories, an immersive exhibition exploring our relationship with nature, memory, transformation, and the environment.

​Additional stops will introduce us to the diverse creative communities shaping the island. We’ll discover work presented by ArtCrawl Harlem and the West Harlem Art Fund, visit New Women New Yorkers to experience stories celebrating immigrant and refugee women.

​Along the way, we’ll leave room for Governors Island’s unexpected pleasures: large-scale public art, hidden gardens, sweeping harbor views, and quiet moments to pause, exchange perspectives, and connect with a community of curious, culturally engaged women.

​Members-Only Spa Extension
​After a full afternoon of exploration, Art-full Members are invited to continue the experience with an optional evening at QC NY Spa.

​Relax in panoramic infinity pools, outdoor soaking baths, saunas, steam rooms, relaxation lounges, and more than 20 wellness experiences—all overlooking the breathtaking Manhattan skyline. It's the perfect way to unwind after a day of discovery, recharge both body and mind, and enjoy a slower summer evening while continuing the conversation with fellow members.

• ​Please note: The QC NY Spa visit is an optional add-on available exclusively to Art-full Members. Spa admission is purchased separately and is not included with the Governors Island event.

​
Why You’ll Love This Experience

• ​🎨 Visit artist studios, see works in progress, and meet the creative communities shaping contemporary art.
• ​🌍 Discover exhibitions highlighting women, immigrant stories, public art, and bold new perspectives.
• ​🌿 Enjoy waterfront paths, green spaces, and hidden cultural gems without leaving the city.

​✨ Art-full members are invited to continue the escape at QC NY Spa with skyline pools, saunas, steam rooms, and 20+ wellness experiences.

***

Full Schedule

​1:15 PM | Meet at Joe Coffee in the Battery Maritime Building for the 1:30 PM ferry

​*(or meet at 1:45pm at the LMCC Art Center if taking the ferry from Brooklyn)*

​1:45–5:00 PM | Guided Art-full explorations across Governors Island

​5:00 PM | Option to take the 5:30pm ferry back to Manhattan, or join for a sunset session at QC NY Spa

• ​It’s recommended to spend 3-4 hours at the spa to get the full experience but you can depart on the ferry whenever you want (see ferry schedule here)
• ​We will also have a 7pm reservation at the Casa QC Bistro for aperitivo with the option to order additional food for those who would like it (however no food or drinks are included and all must be paid separately on-site)

Meeting Location

​Joe Coffee
Battery Maritime Building Ferry Terminal
10 South Street

​Please arrive by 1:15 PM to allow time for check-in and boarding. The ferry departs promptly at 1:30 PM, and we are unable to hold the group for late arrivals.

***

Tickets -

Non-member tickets:
Ferry + Art walk only: $50 first release; $55 thereafter​

Art-full Member tickets:
​Option 1: Ferry + Art walk only: $40 first release; $45 thereafter
​
Option 2: Ferry + Art walk + QC NY Spa Admission: $190 first release; $200 thereafter

Advance Purchase Required here​

​Option 2 includes spa admission only (no treatments). Spa admission includes access to more than 20 wellness experiences, including pools overlooking the Manhattan and New Jersey skylines.

Booking a Spa Treatment
Guests who would like to book a massage or another spa treatment should purchase Option 1 and indicate that they will make their own QC NY reservation.

We recommend booking a 5:00 PM spa entry and adding the 7:00 PM Casa QC aperitivo reservation to remain on the same schedule as the group.

Included

• ​Round-trip Governors Island ferry ticket
• ​Guided Art-full exploration
• ​Public art, artist residency, and cultural discovery
• ​Introduction to the history and creative evolution of Governors Island
• ​QC NY Spa admission (Option 2 only)

Not Included

• ​Spa treatments or massages (if desired, please book Option 1 and indicate you will make your own spa reservation)
• ​Food and beverages
• ​Additional purchases made on Governors Island

What to Bring

• ​Comfortable walking shoes
• ​Water bottle
• ​Sunscreen and/or hat
• ​Spa items if you plan to join us for the Spa (Bathing Suit, Flip Flops, etc.)
• ​visit site for more info on the spa and to book a massage: https://www.qcny.com/experience

​We look forward to sharing an inspiring afternoon of art, culture, nature, and connection with you on Governors Island.

***

Note about tickets/ RSVP's:

• RSVPs on Meetup do NOT count as official registrations for this event, and the RSVP count on Meetup may not reflect the actual number of attendees. To attend, you must purchase a ticket, which guarantees your spot, regardless of whether you RSVP here.
• All paid and confirmed attendees will receive an email from [alex@womenofculture.org](mailto:alex@womenofculture.org)] 1–2 days before the event with further details, including a link to a WhatsApp group for important updates. If you do not receive this email (make sure to check your spam as well), it likely means you did not complete registration or payment.

Rewilding: Art, Nature & The Feminine Wild at MAD

Sun, Sep 13 · 12:00 PM EDT

Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019, USA, New York, NY, US

​Step into a wildly imaginative world where art, nature, and the female form take on new life.

​Join us on Sunday September 13th for a private guided tour of Jessica Lichtenstein: Rewilding at the Museum of Arts and Design. Lichtenstein transforms the gallery into a lush, fantastical terrain of forests, ruins, and flowering canopies—all intricately composed from thousands of digitally rendered female figures.

​Vibrant, immersive, and richly layered, the exhibition brings together installation, painting, sculpture, and video to explore freedom, ecology, collectivity, and female autonomy. During our private tour, we’ll take a closer look at Lichtenstein’s dazzling materials, unexpected influences, and bold reimagining of the relationship between women and nature.

​Why join us?

• ​Experience the exhibition through a private guided tour, with insights that bring its ideas, techniques, and hidden details to life.
• ​Discover an immersive technicolor world featuring thousands of miniature female figures woven into spectacular landscapes.
• ​Art-full members are invited to connect over brunch at the beautiful and plant-filled Jams Restaurant
• ​Continue to continue the conversation while absorbing the beautiful natural surroundings of the southwestern part of Central Park, stopping at the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument on the way toward Bethesda Terrace.

***

​Schedule:
12pm | Optional member’s brunch at Jams Restaurant
The 1 Hotel | 1414 Sixth Avenue

​2-3pm | Private guided tour
Museum of Art & Design | 2 Columbus Circle

​3pm | Optional group walk & talk in Central Park
Ending near Bethesda Terrace

***

​Non-member tickets:
Tour only: $45 first release; $50 full price

​Art-full member tickets*:
Tour only: $40 first release; $45 full price
​Full experience (including 1 brunch entree + tax/tip): $80 first release; $85 full price

​Inclusions:

• ​All tickets include museum admission as well as the private guided tour.
• ​Full experience tickets also include 1 brunch entree (up to $28) with tax/tip at Jams. Any additional food or drink will need to be paid separately.

​**Premier members save an additional 10%. Learn more about membership below/here.*

***

​The Art-Full Membership
​If you are not yet an Art-full member, we would love to have you join us for as little as $45/month for the basic membership, or $65/month for the upgraded premier membership. You can learn more about all membership levels and join here or reach out to alex@womenofculture.org with any questions.

​The membership provides:

• ​Access to member exclusive events
• ​Complimentary tickets to all online events, and select in-person events
• ​Priority access to & discounts on ALL events
• ​Premier members also get priority access to 'culture-tunities' including free VIP passes to exclusive after-hours events at cultural institutions all over the city

​All designed to help you live your best, most art-full and socially connected life!

Note about tickets/ RSVP's:

• RSVPs on Meetup do NOT count as official registrations for this event, and the RSVP count on Meetup may not reflect the actual number of attendees. To attend, you must purchase a ticket, which guarantees your spot, regardless of whether you RSVP here.
• All paid and confirmed attendees will receive an email from [alex@womenofculture.org](mailto:alex@womenofculture.org)] 1–2 days before the event with further details, including a link to a WhatsApp group for important updates. If you do not receive this email (make sure to check your spam as well), it likely means you did not complete registration or payment.

Venice in Focus: The Biennale and Beyond September 16–21, 2026

Tue, Sep 15 · 4:00 AM EDT

Venice, Italy, Venice, Italy, VE, IT

4 attendees from 3 groups

Venice in Focus: The Biennale and Beyond is a rare opportunity to experience Venice at one of the most exciting moments in the global art calendar.

Advance Purchase Required here

During the Biennale, the city becomes an extraordinary meeting point for contemporary art, with major national pavilions, museum exhibitions, foundation shows, and special projects unfolding across Venice. To be there is to experience not only the Biennale itself, but the wider cultural energy it brings to the entire city.

Designed for those who want more than access alone, this highly curated, expert-led journey offers a thoughtful way to engage with it all. Guests will explore the Biennale’s major exhibitions alongside important museum shows, historic palazzi, and remarkable foundations, while sharing the experience with a group of like-minded, art-full women.

Curated dining experiences create space for conversation, connection, and discovery, resulting in an insider’s view of Venice that is rich in perspective, beautifully organized, and impossible to replicate on one’s own.

Advance Purchase Required here

Tentative Schedule (subject to change):
Times are approximate and schedule is subject to change at the leader’s discretion.

Day 1 — Wed 16 Sep
Arrival & time to settle in
Afternoon: Optional neighborhood walk + spritz
Evening: Sunset Gondola ride

Day 2 — Thu 17 Sep
Morning: Homo Faber, San Giorgio Maggiore
Afternoon: Arsenale (Biennale day 1)
Evening: Cicchetti walking tour

Day 3 — Fri 18 Sep
Morning: Giardini pavilions (Biennale day 2)
Afternoon: Gallerie dell'Accademia — permanent collection + Marina Abramović Transforming Energy
Evening: Option to see Pagliacci at Teatro La Fenice (not included)

Day 4 — Sat 19 Sep
Morning: Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Afternoon: Pinault Collection — Palazzo Grassi + Punta della Dogana
Evening: Helter Skelter at Fondazione Prada, Ca' Corner della Regina

Day 5 — Sun 20 Sep
Morning: Murano — guided factory tour + glassblowing demo
Afternoon: Fondazione Dries Van Noten, Palazzo Pisani Moretta

Day 6 — Mon 21 Sep
Farewell breakfast & Departure

Who this trip is for:
Anyone who identifies as a woman and has an interest in art, culture, and community, and wants to experience the Venice Biennale with a small group of like-minded, art-full women.

It is designed for those who are genuinely interested in engaging with contemporary art, exploring Venice through a curated, expert-led program, and building meaningful connections with fellow travelers. We are looking for guests who want to contribute to a shared experience that is enriching, social, and inspiring for everyone involved—think of it as traveling with chosen family and friends.

Who this trip is NOT for:

• Anyone who prefers to travel independently or spend most of their time outside of the group experience rather than engaging in a shared itinerary.
• Anyone who is unable or unwilling to be flexible, collaborative, and considerate within a small group setting, especially during a dynamic cultural week.
• Anyone who is looking for a standard, large-scale tour where every detail is fully managed, rather than a thoughtfully curated, participatory experience.

***

FAQ's

1. Can I book my own hotel/stay separately from the group?
Since the trip is designed as community-based travel, our goal is to keep all attendees together in one hotel so that we can experience Venice together as a group. Though of course there is free time built into the itinerary for you to experience the city on your own if desired.

2. What is NOT included?
All meals, transportation (to/from Venice as well as in Venice), as well as any additional activities are separate and must be paid individually.

3. What if I don’t know anyone — do I need to come with a friend?
No! Most women attend our Art-full Abroad trips on their own, and the idea is that we will all get to know one another over the course of the weekend. However, please do let me know if you are coming with a friend with whom you would like to share a room.

4. Do I have to stay with the group/attend all pre-planned activities on the itinerary?
All attendees are expected to attend the scheduled group activities unless the group leader is given advance notice, or in the event of sickness or an emergency. No refunds can be provided for any of the included activities not attended. Please remember this a group trip designed for the community to experience Venice together. Please do NOT book the trip if you prefer to do your own thing or are not aligned with the proposed itinerary.

Note about tickets/ RSVP's:

• RSVPs on Meetup do NOT count as official registrations for this event, and the RSVP count on Meetup may not reflect the actual number of attendees. To attend, you must purchase a ticket, which guarantees your spot, regardless of whether you RSVP here.
• All paid and confirmed attendees will receive an email from [alex@womenofculture.org](mailto:alex@womenofculture.org)] 1–2 days before the event with further details, including a link to a WhatsApp group for important updates. If you do not receive this email (make sure to check your spam as well), it likely means you did not complete registration or payment.

Good Vibes on the LES: Art-full Discovery Walk ✨

Wed, Oct 28 · 1:00 PM EDT

Think Coffee, 1 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012, USA, New York, NY, US

​Join us on Wednesday, October 28th at 1 PM for a special weekday edition of our most popular Art-full Discovery Walk! This guided walk through one of NYC’s most quintessential neighborhoods focuses on art, food, and history—with a fresh lineup of gallery shows to discover.

Advance Purchase Required here

​What to Expect
​All of our Art-full Discovery Walks combine the best of a gallery hop, cultural walking tour, and tasty neighborhood snacks. This edition will spotlight art, entrepreneurship, and diversity—core themes of the Lower East Side—while featuring female artists and women-owned businesses.

​Led by Alexandra Harper, Founder of Women of Culture, you’ll discover:

• ​☕ Meet & Greet at THINK Coffee (arrive early to grab a beverage)
• ​🖼️ Visits to 4–5 contemporary galleries with rich historic context
• ​🥨 Curated nibbles from local bakeries & cafés
• ​🎨 LES street art murals and hidden corners of “Old New York”
• ​🛍️ Tour conclusion at Essex Market (~3 PM)

​Event Details

• ​📍 Start: THINK Coffee, 1 Bleecker St.
• ​📍 End: Essex Market, 88 Essex St.
• ​⏱️ Duration: ~2 hours on foot
• ​👟 Active walking event — wear comfortable shoes & bring water
• ​🌦️ Rain or shine
• ​🎟️ Limited to 15 attendees

​Please note that all Art-full Discovery Walks are gender inclusive and open to anyone with an interest in art and community. Plus, every walk is different, so it’s a new experience even for returning attendees!

***

Advance Purchase Required here
​
Tickets:

• ​Non-member tickets: $45 1st Release; $50 2nd release
• ​Basic Art-full members: $35 1st Release; $40 2nd release
• ​FREE for Premier Members

***

​Full Event Schedule:
(Exact start & end locations subject to change slightly)
​12:50 PM | Meet at THINK Coffee
1 Bleecker St.
​1:00 PM | Good Vibes on the LES tour begins
​3:00 PM | End near Essex Market
88 Essex St.
​_____

​The Art-Full Membership
​If you are not yet an Art-full member, we would love to have you join us for as little as $45/month for the basic membership, or $65/month for the upgraded premier membership. You can learn more about all membership levels and join here or reach out to alex@womenofculture.org with any questions.

​The membership provides:

• ​Access to member exclusive events
• ​Complimentary tickets to all online events, and select in-person events like this one
• ​Priority access to & discounts on ALL events
• ​Premier members also get priority access to 'culture-tunities' including free VIP passes to exclusive after-hours events at cultural institutions all over the city

​All designed to help you live your best, most art-full and socially connected life!

Note about tickets/ RSVP's:

• RSVPs on Meetup do NOT count as official registrations for this event, and the RSVP count on Meetup may not reflect the actual number of attendees. To attend, you must purchase a ticket, which guarantees your spot, regardless of whether you RSVP here.
• All paid and confirmed attendees will receive an email from [alex@womenofculture.org](mailto:alex@womenofculture.org)] 1–2 days before the event with further details, including a link to a WhatsApp group for important updates. If you do not receive this email (make sure to check your spam as well), it likely means you did not complete registration or payment.