Stepping through the doors of the National Arts Club on Gramercy Park South is like setting foot inside a New York from another era. Forget garbage bags and graffiti; think gold-framed mirrors and grand staircases—the kind of place you might find Wallace Stevens jotting down a line of verse between puffs from his pipe—which makes it the least likely location to find a gallery show of 55 (or maybe 56 or 57; the three curators had lost count) contemporary artists living and working in New York. “There hasn’t been a show here in a long time, but it’s originally why this club was started—to support New York artists,” said Joshua Hubbard, one of the curators of the show, who also happens to be the guitarist of the band Skaters.
Starting today, the doors will be flung wide, and New Yorkers will gain rare access to this historic establishment and gallery show appropriately titled, It's An Invasion. Founded in 1898 by poet, author, and critic Charles De Kay, the National Arts Club once served as an artists’ haven when people were beginning to look to America, rather than Europe, for cultural direction. The building itself is situated in the exclusive Gramercy Park, which requires a membership and key for entrance. Typically, the National Arts Club enforces a strict dress code (coat and tie for men), though last night, attendees sported everything from a lace crop top to a checkered onesie to a red leather motorcycle jacket. “It’s a members club, and we’re not members," said KELSEY BENNETT, a photographer and co-curator of the show. "We’re bringing in all these artists who wouldn’t normally be showing in a space like this.”
Kelsey, Josh, and Lele Saveri, the three friends responsible for putting the show together met separately: Lele took photographs of Josh’s previous band, The Paddingtons, and Kelsey took pictures of Josh’s current band. But for Kelsey Bennett, who was born and raised in New York City, the space holds a special kind of meaning. “That’s my grandfather's art teacher” she said, pointing to a bust in the corner of the room. “He’s a painter and has a studio back here. When I was a kid, I came here a couple times. It’s a space that’s removed from the New York you know. It’s encapsulated in time. I just always loved being in this space.”
Despite the generation clash, the show isn’t irreverent. It both celebrates and resists the building's history. “We’re very respectful,” said Josh. Last night's private opening featured a classical piano player—plus, three kegs provided by The National Arts Club. If you haven’t heard of Daniel Arnold, recently generating buzz for his startling Instagram photos taken on his cellphone, you’ll find his work here. Look closely in the corner of the exhibit, and you’ll see a set of keys collected by artist Sean Vegezzi that provide private access to secret doors and underground entrances throughout New York. Inclusivity is a happy theme that holds this show together. I asked the three curators how they set out choosing the artists: “A lot of people are mad at us,” Josh said. “Basically, everyone wanted to be part of the show,” Kelsey added. “We could have filled it five more times,” Lele said.
Open to the public from April 30 through May 10<
Starting today, the doors will be flung wide, and New Yorkers will gain rare access to this historic establishment and gallery show appropriately titled, It's An Invasion. Founded in 1898 by poet, author, and critic Charles De Kay, the National Arts Club once served as an artists’ haven when people were beginning to look to America, rather than Europe, for cultural direction. The building itself is situated in the exclusive Gramercy Park, which requires a membership and key for entrance. Typically, the National Arts Club enforces a strict dress code (coat and tie for men), though last night, attendees sported everything from a lace crop top to a checkered onesie to a red leather motorcycle jacket. “It’s a members club, and we’re not members," said KELSEY BENNETT, a photographer and co-curator of the show. "We’re bringing in all these artists who wouldn’t normally be showing in a space like this.”
Kelsey, Josh, and Lele Saveri, the three friends responsible for putting the show together met separately: Lele took photographs of Josh’s previous band, The Paddingtons, and Kelsey took pictures of Josh’s current band. But for Kelsey Bennett, who was born and raised in New York City, the space holds a special kind of meaning. “That’s my grandfather's art teacher” she said, pointing to a bust in the corner of the room. “He’s a painter and has a studio back here. When I was a kid, I came here a couple times. It’s a space that’s removed from the New York you know. It’s encapsulated in time. I just always loved being in this space.”
Despite the generation clash, the show isn’t irreverent. It both celebrates and resists the building's history. “We’re very respectful,” said Josh. Last night's private opening featured a classical piano player—plus, three kegs provided by The National Arts Club. If you haven’t heard of Daniel Arnold, recently generating buzz for his startling Instagram photos taken on his cellphone, you’ll find his work here. Look closely in the corner of the exhibit, and you’ll see a set of keys collected by artist Sean Vegezzi that provide private access to secret doors and underground entrances throughout New York. Inclusivity is a happy theme that holds this show together. I asked the three curators how they set out choosing the artists: “A lot of people are mad at us,” Josh said. “Basically, everyone wanted to be part of the show,” Kelsey added. “We could have filled it five more times,” Lele said.
Open to the public from April 30 through May 10<