Sketch and the City: Immersive Sketching at Grand Central
5.0
8 Ratings
New York
Unleash your creativity with immersive sketching at Grand Central. Perfect for all ages and skill levels. Discover NYC through art!
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Grand Central Terminal - The original New York City sketching experience returns for Spring & Summer 2024!

Embark on a sketching adventure through the iconic Grand Central Terminal & vibrant Midtown Manhattan with local artist & creativity guide Ben Ponté.

No prior sketching or art skills required. Pocket sketchbook included!

We meet in the magnificent Grand Central Terminal for introductions & warm-up sketching exercises to ignite creativity. From there, we sketch our way through the terminal & its surroundings, & with time & weather permitting, continue the exploration up to the NYC Public Library.

This is not a technical drawing class, but a way of using drawing to more fully experience & reflect on the visual energy of NYC. When we sketch we engage with what we see in fresh & exciting ways. Sketching allows us to pause, step back, & observe. It is a reflective experience that enlivens the senses & connects you with the source of your own creativity.

Ideal for solo travelers, couples, corporate teams, & groups of all kinds!

See also Ben’s online experience ‘Drawn from Within’. Both experiences are excellent for fostering individual creativity & team cohesion.

What's Included
  • Pocket Sketchbook
  • Pencil
  • Sharpener
  • Tuition
Additional Information

“Sketch and the City” has been running immersive sketching experiences in New York City since 2017. Highly acclaimed with over 500 five star reviews on multiple platforms this experience will allow you to uncover your own creativity and see New York City in a whole new way! No drawing experience is necessary. The focus of the experience is on the experience of drawing itself rather than on the end result. This opens the experience to people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities and makes it a fun and inspiring experience for everyone. Hosted by New York based artist Ben Ponté this experience emphasizes sketching as a way of seeing the city anew. The group atmosphere encourages a personal and unique response in a supportive and fun environment. Great for everyone: locals, visitors, couples, singles, families, kids or as a corporate team building exercise… Come along and see New York City in new and imaginative ways!

Location
Grand Central Terminal
East 42nd Street
We meet at Grand Central terminal in the main concourse directly under the large American Flag. The American flag is visible from anywhere on the main concourse and hangs in the center of the building on the South side of the information booth. Try to arrive early to avoid delays.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(8 Ratings)
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Wendy
Oct 15, 2019
Create your own lasting memories! - I now carry the sketch book that Ben gave me every place I go. Not only does Ben give you an insider view of Grand Central Terminal and a sketch book, he gives guidance and confidence. I still don't love sketching, but now I sketch almost daily. He takes you from where you are with sketching and shows you how much you can do in two minutes, five minutes, ten minutes and more. All this builds the habit of sketching which can fill many empty minutes. Come prepared to walk a little and meet some other adventurous souls. Ben is talented, helpful, knowledgeable, interesting and very patient.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gfaithc2019
Oct 15, 2019
Amazing Experience! - This was an amazing experience! The fastest two hours, it was over before I knew it and all I wanted to do was keep going. Ben was an amazing teacher, he helped us with tips along the way, we did some great sketching exercises as a group when we first started. It was fun to see everyone else's interpretations. When we got out on the streets, Ben gave us instructions as we started, we walked several blocks and stopped a few times on the way for a few more exercises and finally stopped to draw our final sketch. I've never really sketched before and trying my hand at this form of art was so much better with someone walking along with me and helping me with tips. Ben provided a great experience that was totally worth the money! I will DEFINITELY do this experience with Ben, again, the next time I'm in New York! If you have the time and the opportunity, you should sign up for one of Ben's sketching tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melly_tale
Oct 10, 2019
Experience the art of seeing - The art of seeing, the experience of the creative process, the mindfullness of drawing without looking on the paper - I learned things in this course that I had not known before. It is a unique and intense way to get to know a new city without just getting lost on the surface. Ben has a very natural and kind personality and he guides everyone individually. We had a positive energy in our group!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yz724915
Oct 9, 2019
Nice Experience - We totally open our mind to see the world through this sketch and we enjoy it since then. Ben is really nice and always encourages us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Safari557478
Oct 8, 2019
Hands-On Experience for Locals or Tourists - Great experience for any local or tourist who wants a hands-on activity. Ben is knowledgable, encouraging, and very kind. He also showed me little things about the city that I didn't know as a local. Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charlie
Oct 8, 2019
A fantastic, creative experience - Sketch and the City rated as the most enjoyable of all the activities we took part in during our two-week stay in New York. We'd gone to NYC to enjoy the city's amazing galleries and museums, so to go on a sketching tour was the perfect addition. Ben is a fantastic teacher and guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katherinekennet
Oct 8, 2019
One of the best things I did in NYC - The sketching tour/lesson was a brilliant way for a first timer to New York like me to see and learn about part of the city. It was a wonderful learning environment- Ben was a knowledgeable and kind teacher and guide, and I spent the rest of the trip with my new sketch book in my pocket drawing. I’m new to drawing and found the experience inspiring and supportive, even though I was by far the weakest artist in the group. I would definitely recommend this to a friend- a fun, informative and very different way to see the city!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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