Natasha Schlesinger in front of Chuck Close's portrait of Kate Moss, The Surrey hotel, New York
Natasha Schlesinger is a New York-based, award-winning art historian and art consultant. She is the founder of ArtMuse, which speciaslises in art tour experiences in New York and Europe through museums, galleries, auction houses and studios, and as part of Frieze New York, May 5 – 8, 2016, she has curated an art pop-up, Artspeak, for The Surrey hotel, where she is art expert-in-residence
These are some of her favourite art hangouts in the Big Apple
This super-trendy Australian store has great energy. They sell men’s clothes, surf gear, accessories, books and jewellery as well as art, plus a cool coffee bar and an outdoor decked yard, where everyone hangs out in the warm weather.
31 Crosby Street, New York, NY 10013; also at 17 Perry Street
One of the coolest New York hangouts right now, matcha 101 appeals to more than its fair share of models and hipsters. Their moto.’Matcha Fam’, is all about the 'family' that matcha bar creates and promotes.
As well as being a daytime café and great work space, they host evening events, artist and designer shows and pop ups. This summer, Matchabar will partner with ArtMuse to create a pop-up show of emerging artists, who create their art in the matcha 'postive energy' tradition
Matchabar, 93 Wyeth Avenue, Brooklyn; 256 West 15th Street, Chelsea
These East Village and West Village stores/cafes feature design, fashion and art. They provide monthly café memberships and encourage a sense of community.
96 West Houston Street New York; 330 East 11th Street New York
This space in Redhook was founded in 2012 by one of the most interesting artists working today, Dustin Yellin. HIs aim was to encourage multidisciplinary art, creativity and science, and foster a sense of community. Entry is free to the public Wednesdays through Sundays, and they hold exhibitions and music events too.
159 Pioneer Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn
The Surrey hotel is always a fun place to hang out at either Bar Pleiades or the roof garden (accessible only to members and hotel guests). Now the hotel is reinventing itself as an alternative gallery space, with ArtSpeak, a pop-up (from May 4 until August 31), showcasing nine emerging and established contemporary artists.
The Surrey Frieze collection is centred around 'cultural influences of media', referencing its starting point from one of the works in their existing collection: Jenny Holzer's ‘You are My Own'.
20 East 76 Street
David Totah has just opened his eponymous space and envisions it not just as a gallery but a creative environment to promote contemporary art and generate ideas through shows, discussions and film screenings.
183 Stanton Street. Lower East Side
The Highline is much more than just a walk above the city, it’s full of temporary art installation by well known artists such as Barbara Kruger, Nari Ward and Spencer Finch, and art events, concerts and performances are put on by the Friends of the Highline.
From Gansevoort Street to 34th Street along 10th Avenue,
Maybe not the first place you would think of as a young hangout, but Park Avenue Armory has now become something of an art hot spot. This summer, watch out for an experiential show by contemporary artist Martin Creed.
643 Park Avenue.
Rooftop Cafe and Martini Lounge at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
This iconic NY institution is not just about its galleries. On Friday and Saturday evenings, from May till then end of October, you can drink on the rooftop, and there are are always installations on show. This year it’s a spooky, surreal partial house by the artist Cornelia Parker, called Transitional Object: Psychedelic Barn.
Fifth Avenue and 82nd street.
This outdoor event creates a fun art setting where music and art and good energy all mix. Expect experimental live music, sound and DJs, both local and international.
On Saturdays from June 27 till September 5, MoMA PS1 presents Warm Up 2015, 20-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island Cit
In 2005, Natasha Schlesinger received the prestigious 25th Anniversary Future Women Leadership Award from ARTTABLE, a national, non-profit membership organisation for professional women in leadership positions in the visual arts.
