Governors Island Blog

Governors Island offers a diverse array of arts, cultural and recreational activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy. A full list of programs are below.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

AUGUST

 

Saturday, August 25: RECESS Outdoor Bocce, noon, Colonels Row

A day of outdoor bocce team challenge featuring top creative organizations in NYC, as well as a few open courts for public play on Colonels Row.  Don’t miss free Linus Bikes test rides and Evian will be there to keep you hydrated all day! Bring your blankets out and come get your fill of all the fun at RECESS 2012. Special guest deejays. For more information visit www.recessnewyork.com

Saturday, August 25: Vintage Baseball, Gotham BBC of New York vs Atlantic BBC of Brooklyn, 12 pm – 4 pm

Watch baseball as it was played almost 150 years ago! The Gothams are playing their 11th season of Vintage Base Ball in New York City, with their home games currently being played on Governors Island. Games are played on the Parade Ground and are free to watch. Cheering is highly encouraged.

Saturday, August 25: Sculptors Guild, Life Casting workshop with Marc Fields, on Cartigan Road

Cast your finger, hand or face with Marc Fields – Owner of The Compleat Sculptor . Participants will leave with the beginning knowledge of mold making, casting products, techniques — and with a beautiful casting of their making. Instruction is free; must purchase materials – $3 Fingers, $8 Child’s Hand, $15 Adult Hands, $25 Face. For more info visit: www.sculptorsguild.org/eventsandworkshops.html.

Saturday, August 25: Cooper Hewitt- America’s Most-Wanted Eco Posters, 2 – 4 PM, Building 110

Be a part of history as Ed Morris, the co-author of Green Patriot Posters, leads a team of designers, thinkers, environmentalists and audience participants in creating America’s Most-Wanted Eco-Poster in real time! For more information and to register for the event, visit http://www.cooperhewitt.org/calendar

Sunday, August 26: African Film Festival, Noon – 5 PM, Colonels Row

Don’t miss an exciting afternoon celebrating African heritage! There will be dance classes featuring Afro-Brazilian Dance, Senegalese Sabar Dance and Guinean Dance, as well as live drumming by master drummers, needle arts workshops, selected short films, storytelling and double dutch! To learn more, visit http://www.africanfilm.org.

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 1: Pig Island III, 11:30 AM – 4 PM, Colonels Row
Once again Governors Island becomes a major food destination: Pig Island is a celebration of local pork, seasonal foods, craft beer and New York State wine. Tickets are available at www.pigisland.com.

Saturday, September 1: Cooper Hewitt -Graphic Design- The Final Hours, 2 – 4 PM, Building 110

During the final weekend of the exhibition “Graphic Design—Now In Production” on Governors Island, come talk with some of the field’s leading practitioners about life, death, and visual communications. Hear about how new and old media are changing how designers work; commiserate on the loss of some of the world’s greatest logotypes; and celebrate the birth of new design methods and talents. For more information and to register for the event, visit http://www.cooperhewitt.org/calendar

Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2: NYC Unicycle Festival, Noon
A day of unicycle races, games, shows, and the largest group of one-wheeled enthusiasts to gather in the five boroughs. Learn more about the Unicycle Festival at nycunifest.com.

Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2: Drop-in Family Program: Super Remix Weekend, (SAT: 11 AM – 12:30 PM) (SUN: 11 AM – 3:30 PM), Building 110

Did you miss one of our workshops? Don’t fret! Join us for Super Remix Saturday on Governors Island to enjoy and be inspired by graphic design. Use elements of previous workshops (printing, collage, etc.) to create something special. For more information and to register for the event, visit http://www.cooperhewitt.org/calendar.

Monday, September 3: Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival featuring Todd Reynolds, 1 PM and 3 PM, Colonels Row

The Rite of Summer Music Festival is back for its second season with a series of exhilarating fun and FREE outdoor concerts. Co-Directors and /NYC-based pianists Pam Goldberg & Blair McMillen are thrilled to present Todd Reynolds. For more information visit http://toddreynolds.com/

Saturday, September 15: Vendy Awards, 12:30 – 5 PM, Colonels Row

The Eighth Annual Vendy Awards are almost here. On September 15th, on Governors Island, we’ll determine the best street food vendor in NYC is while raising money for The Street Vendor Project. WE EXPECT TO SELL OUT. Buy your ticket in advance at http://streetvendor.org/vendys/about-2/.

Sunday, September 23: The Ethiopian School Readiness Initiative (ESRI) Walk/Bike for ESRI, 11 AM
The mission of the Ethiopian School Readiness Initiative (ESRI) is to create for the children of Ethiopia a high quality, culturally appropriate preschool program that will prepare the children to succeed in school. ESRI works with educational, governmental, and non-governmental organizations in Ethiopia to implement the program within the existing schools in Ethiopia. This walk/bike event starts at 11am and will raise money for the children being served by ESRI. Register here.

MULTIPLE WEEKENDS

Cooper-Hewitt Graphic Design—Now in Production, May 26-September 3

The exhibition  explores some of the most vibrant graphic design work produced since 2000, including posters, books, magazines, identity and branding, information graphics, typography and typefaces, and film and television title graphics. The exhibition is in Building 110.

FIGMENT 2012 Summer-Long Installations: June 9-September 23

This summer, FIGMENT’s acclaimed interactive Sculpture Garden and artist-designed Minigolf Course are returning to Governors Island, welcoming visitors to the Parade Grounds to play with, dance around, contemplate on, and experience these wonderfully imaginative installations. The centerpiece of FIGMENT’s summer-long installations for 2012 is the Treehouse, expanded and returning to Governors Island for a second year. This year’s Minigolf Course is based on the theme “Arcade.” Visitors can whack-a-clown, rescue a princess, and save the world from inevitable asteroid destruction one putt at a time. FIGMENT’s Summer-Long Installations are open and free for the public to play and enjoy, opening on FIGMENT weekend (June 9-10) and continuing to September 23. For more information, visit http://newyork.figmentproject.org/summer.

Better Than Jam: handmade gifts shop:  May 26-September 3

Better Than Jam is bringing Governors Island the creations of New York City’s most talented artists and crafters.   Popping up in the Governors Galleries, the shop is filled with the work of local designers, artists, and crafts people.  Better Than Jam’s gift shop allows visitors to take home a tangible memento from their visit—a souvenir that was designed and crafted with the island in mind.  With the help of the Etsy New York Team, the shop will also host demonstrations and workshops on Saturdays 12-4.

ICP Occupies Governors Island, 11 AM – 5 PM, Governors Galleries

Exhibiting Powerful Images from the 99 Percent: August 18 – September 30, 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Governors Galleries To mark the one-year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, the International Center of Photography presents Occupy! The exhibition acknowledges the relevance of popular protest during this crucial presidential election year, and celebrates the significant uses of photography, film, and social media in recording and communicating the message of the OWS movement. For more information, visit
http://www.icp.org/events/2012/august/18/icp-occupies-governors-island-exhibiting-powerful-images-99-percent

 

PUBLIC SUMMER: Library of Immediacy by SUPERFRONT: July 21-September 23

The Library of Immediacy outdoor instillation, located on the Parade Ground, was designed and constructed by the architectural duo, saA, who are Amy Chang and Seo Young Shin. The instillation will host an ongoing, community-curated installation by The People’s Library and artist collective, DADDY, on weekends from July 21st-September 23rd. Visitors are welcome to bring and take books to add to the growing collection of this satellite of The People’s Library. In addition, concurrent with The Library of Immediacy, DADDY presents #LOANER, a democratically curated, anecdotal, and didactic display of objects. Viewers are asked to present and create wall text for personal items; objects may be loaned if replaced with a similar object for display.

4 Heads Art Fair: All September weekends, 11 AM to 6 PM
Run by artists, for artists, The Governors Island Art Fair enters its 5th year this fall as 4heads rally an exciting and diverse selection of artists from around the world. Well over 100 independent artists are selected entirely on the merit of their work and, once chosen, each is given a room of their own in which to create an exhibition environment of their own design. A selection of galleries is exhibiting in the Fair as well. 4heads “Artist in Residency” program is also offering open studio viewing beginning in June.
For more information visit www.4heads.org.

Bike and Roll’s™ Free Bike Mondays, Memorial Day and Labor Day

Borrow a bike for free for up to one hour to enjoy miles of car free biking and some of the best views in New York City.

ONGOING EXHIBITS AND EVENTS: ALL SEASON

Mark di Suvero at Governors Island: Presented by Storm King art Center, May 26-September 30

The exhibition is on view for another exciting season on Governors Island and includes a soaring new sculpture and programs for the public to enjoy. The exhibition is free and installed throughout the Island’s public spaces.

What’s Happening on Governors Island: May 26-September 30

Visit the interactive exhibit in Building 110 to learn more about the Governors Island Park and Public Space Plan and the 30 new acres of park and public space that are currently under construction. Visitors are invited to use Post It™ notes, markers and stamps to provide their feedback on the plan.

Process: 5th Annual Sculptors Guild Exhibition on Governors Island: May 26 – September 30

Curated by Mikaela Sardo Lamarche and featuring work from members of the Guild and an invited guest artist, Faith Rinngold.   For more information, including a schedule of hands-on free workshops and events visit sculptorsguild.org.

Empire Historic Arts Fund presents the fashion exhibit:  ”Tattered and Torn (On The Road To Deaccession): May 26-September 30

An installation of costume de-accessioned from various museums due to condition issues that make them undesirable for exhibit in the upper echelon museum world.  Empire Historic Arts takes a different stance and offer them as an amazing resource to people interested in the design and construction of 19th century costume.

Transforming Function at Building 110: LMCC’s Art Center, 12 PM – 5 PM

The artists in this exhibition, by creating works that reimagine purpose, urge us to develop relationships to these environments that extend beyond passive consumption. Through adapting uses and subverting functions, the resulting work takes many forms and offers new perspectives and approaches to viewing, listening, experiencing, and interacting.  Additional programming such as workshops, demonstrations, and talks to be announced.

Painting Governors Island: May 26-September 30

An exhibition of en-plein-air watercolor and oil paintings exploring the island’s unique setting. The harbor, the industrial Brooklyn waterfront, the New York City skyline and the bridges are all wonderful motifs from this inspiring location. The island, with its strange mixture of buildings, both utilitarian and historic, is in itself a fascinating subject. Each artist reinvents the island through their own eyes, finding surprising memorable images. While caring about the motifs, these paintings are not merely depictions, but rather personal, painterly truths about the island.

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council presents Building 110: LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island

Building 110: LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island is a multi-disciplinary art space featuring a gallery and studios for visual and performing artists. Building 110 opens for 2012 with exhibitions, performances, open studio events, and tours, as well as programs that are part of the River To River Festival. Through LMCC’s events at Building 110, audiences will gain access to the artistic process and innovative artwork. For more information, visit www.LMCC.net and www.RiverToRiverNYC.com.

Children’s Museum of the Arts Free Art Island Outpost Program: May 27-September 30, 11 am to 3 pm
Join the Children’s Museum of the Arts Teaching Artists for new themes and projects each weekend, including everything from painting and drawing to large-scale sculpture. Children and families can stop by for hands-on art for kids!  For more information visit www.cmany.org.

Earth Matter Compost Learning Center: May 26- September 30, 12 pm to 4 pm
Earth Matter Compost Learning Center, located at Picnic Point, is a place to discover composting, the art and science of turning food and yard waste into a healthy soil amendment, rich in the nutrients that plants need to grow. Come for a fun and free hands on experience and unravel the mysteries of “black gold” and pet our newest compost workers – 38 adorable chicks and two kid goats!

Street Math Investigations presents Mü-Math: The Mobile Unit to Promote Mathematical Thinking: May 26 – September 30

Mü-Math Adults and children 5 and up are invited to immerse themselves in different styles of mathematical thinking in ways that are playful and engaging. The 15 New York City themed installations are designed to offer different levels of challenge for children and adults alike.

Weekday Park Ranger Programs: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays starting June 13

Join a National Park Ranger for a variety of programs offered during the week. These programs are the only way to see the island outside of the weekends! Check www.nps.gov/gois or call 212-825-3045 for a specific schedule of offerings.

Weekend Park Ranger Programs: Saturdays and Sundays throughout the day

Every weekend, National Park Rangers offer programs throughout the day.  Please visit www.nps.gov/gois or call 212-825-3045 Wednesday – Sunday for more information.

Orientation to the History of Governors Island: May 27-August 28, 11:25 am, 1:25 pm, and 3:25 pm
Join a National Park Ranger for this 45- to 60-minute walking experience to discover how the role of Governors Island evolved to meet the changing needs of New York City and the nation.

Bicycle Tours of the Island – 2:00 PM every Saturday and Sunday. See the island on wheels! Join a National Park Ranger or Volunteer for a 1.5-hour tour of the entire island, including the Monument, Historic District, and the South Island. NPS’ most comprehensive tour. Meet at the National Park Service ticketing center located outside of Castle Williams. No reservations are required. Bring your own bike!

Bike Governors Island: May 26-September 30
Bring your own bike or rent one from Bike and Roll™ to enjoy miles of car-free biking.