By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
CHELSEA — While Manhattan’s vibrant summertime cultural scene usually keeps New Yorkers outdoors for concerts, screenings,and theater, more than two dozen Chelsea art galleries are on a mission to bring people back indoors beginning Thursday.
The first ever Chelsea Art Walk, which was organized jointly by about 25 galleries within a five-block radius, will kick off Thursday evening at 5 p.m.
“The city dies over the summer and no one comes to art galleries, but there’s really great things going on in the galleries over the summer,” said Alyssa Menegat, director of Jenkins Johnson Gallery and the lead organizer of the walk.
“We wanted to do something to encourage extra foot traffic into our spaces and extend our hours for a fun evening of art,” she added.
While all of the participating galleries will be open until 8 p.m., many of them will host special events, artist appearances, and performances to enhance the evening.
Photographer Martin Schoeller, whose images of female bodybuilders are on exhibition at Hasted Hunt Kraeutler gallery, will be on hand to answer questions about his work and sign books.
Artists from Noho Gallery’s current group show, “Twelve,” will give talks -- and the evening will close with a poetry reading by painter Stephanie Rauschenbusch.
At Benrimon Contemporary, graffiti artist Phetus will do a live demonstration in conjunction with the gallery’s latest exhibit of New York City graffiti art, "Graffiti NYC: Artists of the Third Rail."
In addition to events at the galleries themselves, local businesses are offering food and drink specials for the night. Deals include half priced pitchers of sangria with dinner at tapas restaurant Tia Pol, 15 percent off of homemade lemonade and ice cream sandwiches at Three Tarts Bakery, and a party afterward to end the evening from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at B.E.S.
Because the event is free and does not require registration, Menegat says that the galleries don’t know what to expect in terms of attendance. If patrons are nearly as excited about the evening as are those involved in its organization, the event will be a success, she said.
“Everyone from the galleries to the local businesses are super enthused about it and are really happy to be involved,” Menegat said.
“So we really want anybody to come," she said. "We want tourists, people who can’t make it to the galleries during work hours, people who want to check out the Chelsea art scene, and people who are just curious! “
The Chelsea Art Walk is taking place on Thursday evening from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Maps and details about participating galleries can be found here.
