We interviewed the art expert, Gisela Gueiros. This Brooklyn-based art connoisseur shared with us the most fantastic list of NY Tips. Come explore the city through her eyes!
Our Founder, Fernanda Paronetto interviewed Gisela Gueiros: a guide to the Arts, Vogue Brazil’s Correspondent, Blogger about what is happening in NYC and a Master in Art History.
Plus, she’s the mom of beautiful twin boys…transplanted from São Paulo to Brooklyn.
So, see below her Top 6 NYC Tips + 1 artsy spot in Connecticut:
Blue Hill Farm
“I recently celebrated a friend’s birthday at the Blue Hill Farm, in the Hudson Valley. Leaving Grand Central Station it’s about an hour away. The tasting menu is made up of the freshest seasonal ingredients – many of them picked directly from the farm where the restaurant is located. Dan Barber is the chef-owner. Divine!”
Located in Pocantico Hills, in the Hudson Valley, Blue Hill Farm was previously owned by two brothers, until Ann Marlowe Straus was able to buy it from them.
But, this actually took years to happen, since they didn’t want to sell it.
Ann share a bit more about the story:
“Back then it was a dairy run by two brothers. What a mess! They had cows pasturing in the front yard, for god’s sake… And the barn and house were run-down and so dirty I couldn’t believe it. And, you know what? I loved it. I loved the open pastures, I loved the backdrop of blue hills, I loved that I felt like a queen every time I came up here.”
Location: 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY
French Louie
“In Brooklyn, where I live, one of the restaurant I most enjoy is French Louie. Besides the pleasant atmosphere, they serve the best appetizer ever – a type of French cheese bread called Gougères. Mmmmm!”
Located in Boerum Hill, French Louis is a French-American restaurant and café.
Owner Doug Crowell is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has worked in every possible role at different restaurants, bringing him great experience.
In addition, the restaurant is named after Louis “French Louie” Seymour (C.1832-1915).
As they explain it better: “Mule driver. Lumberjack. Fisherman. Trapper. Happy hermit. Born in French Canada, young Louie Seymour ran away to America with the circus. He spent the rest of his long life in the Adirondacks, living off the abundance of the forest.”
Location: 320 Atlantic Avenue (b/t Smith and Hoyt), Boerum Hill
Luhring Augustine
“My favorite gallery at the moment is Luhring Augustine, which has locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. They showcase amazing installations that definitely makes other museums envious!”
The gallery was founded in 1985 by Lawrence Luhring & Roland Augustine.
Its principal focus is the representation of an international group of contemporary artists whose diverse practices include painting, drawing, sculpture, video and photography.
Furthermore, it’s surely one of the best galleries to visit while you’re in New York.
Location:
531 West 24th Street, Chelsea
25 Knickerbocker Avenue, Bushwick
Tabwa Gallery
“This shop sells ethnic doodads – clothes, towels, pillows, rugs and jewelry. You can spend hours just browsing. I love it!”
Initially the gallery was the home of modern Scandinavian furniture, and was founded in 1959 by Carl Koefoed’s parents.And, years later, became a shop for ethnic handicrafts.
Location: 66 Greenwich Avenue (b/t Perry Street & 7th Avenue), Greenwich Village
Van Brunt Street
“I love the surroundings of Van Brunt Street, in Red Hook. In addition to the charming restaurants, such as Good Fork, it has my favorite plant store, the Chelsea Garden Center. Plus, the recently opened research center for contemporary culture called Pioneer Works.”
“The Good Fork Restaurant and bar is located in Red Hook, Brooklyn, serving eclectic seasonal new American food in a warm and cozy setting.”
In addition, the Good Fork launched in March of 2006 and has thrived serving the wonderful Red Hook community and beyond.
Location: 391 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook
“Chelsea Garden Center opened for business in 1984 on a rubble-strewn 2,700 square-foot corner of industrial Chelsea with just a garden umbrella, a cash box, a tiny cedar potting shed and a spare lot brimming with plants specially selected for urban and city gardens.”
Their first Brooklyn location at 444 Van Brunt Street adjacent to the new Fairway market on the waterfront in Red Hook.
Location: 444 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook
http://chelseagardencenter.com
“Through a broad range of educational programs, performances, arts and science residencies, and exhibitions, Pioneer Works seeks to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, foster community, and provide a space where alternative modes of thought are supported and activated in tangible ways.”
The organization was founded in 2012 by artist Dustin Yellin and is located in a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing warehouse in Red Hook.
Location: 159 Pioneer Street, Red Hook
Prospect Park
“I’m crazy in love with Prospect Park. The park, which is the heart of Brooklyn, was designed by the same landscape architects responsible for Central Park – Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. The duo considered Prospect Park their masterpiece. The Park also houses the Botanical Garden and the Brooklyn Museum.”
And, a little bit of history about the park:
“In 1866, Stranahan and the park commissioners hired Olmsted, Vaux & Company to transform 585 acres of remnant forest and rocky farmland into a landscape whose beauty, though manufactured, would nurture the mind, the body and even the fabric of society.
At the heart of their design were the 90-acre Long Meadow, the woodland Ravine, meandering paths with scenic lookouts, and a watercourse that featured waterfalls, springs and the 60-acre Lake.
Plus, the Park officially opened in 1867, even though construction continued for another seven years, and it was an unparalleled success.
An 1868 report to the Brooklyn Park Commissioners noted that in July alone there had been more than 100,000 visitors to the incomplete park.”
Location: 95 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn
The Glass House
“Despite being located in Connecticut, the home of architect Philip Johnson, in New Canaan, is only an hour away. Made entirely of glass, the house where the architect lived is in the middle of trees and has an annex that exclusively hosts his art collection. Lovely day tour!”
The Glass House, built between 1949 – 1995 by the architect Philip Johnson, is a National Trust Historic Site located in New Canaan, Connecticut. The pastoral 49-acre landscape comprises fourteen structures, including the Glass House (1949), and features a permanent collection of 20th-century painting and sculpture, along with temporary exhibitions. You can tour of the site from May through November and we recommend advance reservations.
So, what’s on?
Yayoi Kusama: Narcissus Garden, a landscape installation that will be on view throughout the 2016 tour season to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Philip Johnson’s birth and the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Glass House site to the public. First created fifty years ago in 1966 for the 33rd Venice Biennale, this iteration of Narcissus Gardenwill be incorporated into the Glass House’s 49-acre landscape. (Text extracted from website).
Location: 199 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT
Thank you, Gisela, for this fantastic list of insider tips! We are always eager to know what you will share next.
Photo Credits: Courtesy of the venues, Portrait of Gisela Gueiros by Victoria Will for Loeffler Randall, Elizabeth Keegin Colley, Martin Seck, Panoramio, Robin Hill and Yayoi Kusama
*Last Update on March/2020.*
