The gallery system in New York can be daunting for artists just starting out (or “emerging artists,” as they’re referred to within this insular world). If it’s not about who you know, it’s about how you look. Even worse, once you do manage to make a name for yourself, the industry demands that your work be consistent above all, so that you’ll have a recognizable style that’s simple enough for the most feeble-minded buyers to grasp. It’s enough to make an artist sell his studio and take up doing sidewalk murals for tips again. But there has also always been an undercurrent of true art, the art of the people, in New York and around the world. In recent years, a handful of arts collectives have managed to combine the modern gallery with the bohemian salon, in ways that are often daring and inspiring, and Cobble Hill’s Micro Museum is one of those collectives.
Since 1986, Micro Museum has been serving the community by offering a variety of programs and classes for children and adults, and by housing an impressive media archive, which now includes hundreds of pieces of digital and video artwork and a huge collection of 78 records donated by the Met (the art one, not the opera one). They also host regular Open Wall installations, where the public may submit artwork for display based on the cryptic themes of the upcoming shows (“Animals in Your Kingdom” and “DNA r’ US,” for example). Most importantly, they serve as an “arts incubator” for artists of truly mixed media, from dance to interactive sculpture (I’m sure there’s a more correct art term for the latter), allowing opportunities for struggling artists to develop their style and collaborate with others in a nurturing environment.
Micro Museum is only open to the public on Saturdays and during special events and openings, and unlike most New York galleries, they charge a two-dollar cover. I rarely recommend paying to view art, but the money goes to support the museum’s community programs, so I’m OK with it…this time. If you really want to get your money’s worth, stop by before closing – every Saturday from 5-7pm, gallery owners William and Kathleen Laziza, as well as the artists responsible for the work that’s currently on display, are on hand to lead a discussion and answer questions. The complimentary tea and light snacks served during these talks are a thoughtful touch considering the limitless appetites of the poverty-stricken Brooklyn artists and writers (like me) in attendance. Okay, I admit it, I go to art galleries for the free food. But this time, I actually looked at the art for more than ten minutes, and for me, that’s saying a lot!
Often times, you’ll pass by thousands of people on a busy Manhattan day and never even notice them. You’re so busy working and living your life that you rarely have time to think about where they came from, or what brought them to New York City. Chances are half of the people you passed that day have some sort of roots to someone who came over to Ellis Island. Often regarded as a tourist spot, Ellis Island is a special place that literally allows you take a step back in time.
Located just minutes off of the Southern Tip of Manhattan, many of the cities residents have yet to take the quick ferry ride over to Ellis Island. If you’re one of these residents, then it is about time to go over there. It is a beautiful 27.5 acre site that takes you back to your family roots and quite possibly to ancestors that you might not know anything about. It’s believed that almost half of all the Americans living in the country have someone in their family tree that arrived via Ellis Island. That is quite an astounding number of people and you should really take the time to see if you were one of those people.
The museum itself is located in the main building of what used to be the immigration station. This is where the people coming into New York City were processed in from other countries. The museum offers self guided tours to show you where they stood and what took place. It explains how last names were changed because they couldn’t be understood, and how people left their old lives behind to start a new one here in the United States.
The wall of honor overlooks the Statue of Liberty and on that wall are the over 700,000 people that have come through those doors in search of a better life. It’s definitely worth the ferry ride to just glance at all the names, or possibly see a name that you might recognize.
Getting There
The Circle Line-Statue of Liberty ferry leaves from Battery Park everyday from 9am to 5pm. They offer extended hours in the summer to accommodate all the tourists as well. Your best bet is to plan the trip ahead of time to make sure you don’t have to wait in those long lines. Off season periods, such as winter and fall, are probably the best times to go to Ellis Island without running into hoards of tourists, although it’s still pretty busy year round. Taking a later ferry will also do wonders in alleviating some of the hassles you’ll encounter with early morning visits.
Often referred to as The Met by the locals, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the largest and finest art museums in the world. It’s hard to even refer to The Met as just a museum because it is so much more. Besides offering you looks at the some of the most amazing pieces of art from around the world, there’s quite an experience to be had here. From the classes they teach for adults, to the lectures, you can come to The Met and never have the same experience twice.
The art that lines the walls and rooms of The Metropolitan Museum of Art are really breathtaking….to say the least. There are both permanent and moving collections at the museum – including Impressionist Art, Sculptures, Ancient Near Eastern Art, Ritual Objects, and Islamic Art. That’s just a few of the many exhibits and/or artifacts on display at the museum.
Take advantage of one of the free guided tours offered by the museum. They’re available in many different languages so everyone can listen in. After your guided tour is over, you’re free to roam around the museum for hours. In fact, many people choose to just plop down and study the skillful art around them. Also available with museum admission are gallery talks. This is when some of the museum curators, advanced students of art, or independent scholars discus different aspects of the collections or special exhibits. If your love for art supersedes your love for anything else, then you definitely shouldn’t miss these comprehensive and informative talks.
If you have a passion for the arts but don’t quite know where to begin, you may want to consider taking an adult art class at The Met. It’s more than just a classroom; it is a classroom in the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art where you get hands on experience in learning and absorbing art. You’re taught by master instructors and it’ll allow you to see art in a whole new way. Some of the programs have fees, but there are quite a few that are free and only require registration.
The gallery system in New York can be daunting for artists just starting out (or “emerging artists,” as they’re referred to within this insular world). If it’s not about who you know, it’s about how you look. Even worse, once you do manage to make a name for yourself, the industry demands that your work be consistent above all, so that you’ll have a recognizable style that’s simple enough for the most feeble-minded buyers to grasp. It’s enough to make an artist sell his studio and take up doing sidewalk murals for tips again. But there has also always been an undercurrent of true art, the art of the people, in New York and around the world. In recent years, a handful of arts collectives have managed to combine the modern gallery with the bohemian salon, in ways that are often daring and inspiring, and Cobble Hill’s Micro Museum is one of those collectives. 
