Hop onto Gallery Hopping

A list of anticipated NYC opening receptions as Armory Week approaches.

Photo by Vincent Tullo via @thearmoryshow

As the summer comes to a close, change slowly begins to happen upon New York City. The summer interns go home, the leaves in Central Park begin to change, and the lucky resident may even feel a brisk wind in the air. Through all this change, the true art lovers of New York know there is a pot of gold waiting on the other side—Armory Week. The first weekend of September is the opening of the Armory Show, one of the largest contemporary art shows in the city. Though not all of us are lucky enough to attend this event, all of us may partake in the busiest week of the year for gallery hopping. So, to prepare for this busy week of opening receptions and art, here is a short list of highly anticipated exhibitions across New York City.

The Clio Art Fair, September 5-8 2024, 520 W 24th Street, NY 10011

If you are looking for the typical black slacks, white wine, and expensive art gallery hopping experience, the Clio Art Fair may not be for you. If you are looking for an immersive and intimate space for creators and creatives alike, then it may be! The biannual Clio Art Fair was started in 2014 by founder Alessandro Berni, and has since been dubbed “the anti-fair for independent artists.” The essential goal of the Clio Art Fair is to provide a space for unrepresented artists to showcase their work. This manifests as a large space full of smaller-scale exhibitions for tens of artists at a time. The collective air is one of warmness and connection. In a space so chock full of artists and their work, it is easy to begin conversations with the artists themselves, ask questions, and socialize with other patrons of the fair. Unlike the Armory Fair, the Clio Art Fair is free to visit during open hours Friday through Sunday, and hosts a $35 fee for the VIP reception taking place on Thursday, September 5th.

*Anthony Cudahy in his studio | Photo: Jack Pierson for W Magazine*

Anthony Cudahy, “Fool’s Errand”, September 6 - October 19 2024, GRIMM Gallery

Moving towards the more traditional gallery reception is Anthony Cudahy’s exhibit opening at Grimm Gallery on Sept. 6. The Brooklyn-based painter is known for his figurative and abstract work alike, as well as his focus on color and composition, which continues to ring true in the upcoming Fool’s Errand. Through this exhibit, Cudahy depicts scenes of mundanity. He paints day-to-day vignettes based on photographs, film, and history in order to display themes of queer identity and intimacy. His works necessitate an emotional response, they are crafted to communicate feelings that we the viewer may know personally or may begin to understand. While viewing the works, look for loneliness, desire, and tenderness. Look to understand the life and sentiments of Anthony Cudahy.

Fool’s Errand is being displayed in tandem with Fool’s Gold which will be shown at Hales Gallery also starting on Sept 6. The two exhibitions act as one whole body of work, presenting similar characteristics and artistic inspirations, though both still can be successfully exhibited separately. Grimm Gallery will host an opening reception on Sept 6, 2024.

Pieter Schoolwerth, “Supporting Actor”, September 5 - October 26 2024, Petzel Gallery

Of course, it wouldn’t be gallery hopping in the year 2024 if at least one of the exhibits did not provide commentary on technology. Pieter Schoolwerth’s Supporting Actor will be on display at Petzel Gallery’s Chelsea location from Sept 5 to Oct 26, 2024. The exhibit displays works through a mix of film, painting, sculpture, and music. The main attraction of the show is a CG animated film, created with the help of artist Phil Vanderhyden and musician Aaron Dilloway. The animation follows the path of a man as he is transported through different spaces, starting by brushing his teeth in his bathroom, then to different locations of ranging publicity. The exhibit seems to act as a commentary on the private life versus the performative one and discusses byproducts of the digital revolution such as echo chambers, deluded reality, and escapism. This is far from the first time the trio has collaborated to create art, though as always this exhibit is highly anticipated. To kick off the opening, Dilloway will partake in a live performance at 7:45 PM on Sept 5.

Catherine Repko, “Hark”, September 4 - October 26 2024, 1969 Gallery

Catherine Repko is a London-based artist, represented by Huxley-Parlour Gallery, a partner gallery of 1969. This will be her first time exhibiting the new six works that make up the upcoming exhibit, “Hark” at the 1969 Gallery. Repko’s pieces are inspired by her own life, exploring the relationship between herself and her three sisters, past female friendships, or the idea of sisterhood in general. She achieves these sentiments by painting with a mix of abstraction and figurative art—girls or women who are not defined enough to be anyone specific, simply to communicate an emotion. Her works are meant to be anyone’s memories. Because of this inspiration, her works are highly targeted to the feminine experience. The pieces delve into themes of identity, familial bonds, and growth. Repko creates these commentaries by creating interaction between her figures. Through the use of color and subject composition, Repko guides the intended sentiments of her works to moments for the viewer to remember or to ponder. Her work will be on display at 1969 Gallery until October 26 and will host an opening reception from 6-8 PM Sept 4.

These exhibits are just some of the many that will be held during the first and second week of September, they are not the holy grail of hopping, but a good place to start. Though the exhibits listed pertain only to Chelsea and Tribeca, as to maximize gallery density, one should know there is a plethora of galleries across all five boroughs of NYC. Whether now or later in the year, be sure to check out Ilon Art Gallery in Harlem, Longwood Gallery at Hostos in the Bronx and A.I.R. Gallery in Brooklyn to name a few. And remember to know the golden rules of gallery hopping: be respectful, be interested, and follow the large crowds.