14 NOTABLE UPPER EAST SIDE GALLERIES YOU NEED TO VISIT

 

Are you looking for things to do on the Upper East Side and want to explore some galleries? You’ve come to the right place.

 

 

It may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but the Upper East Side is home to many Art Galleries, besides all the shopping and Art museums we have been gifted with. I’ve been to many Art galleries in Chelsea and some in Europe mainly Berlin and London. These galleries are out of this world, some have an impeccable selection of Art, others the building or townhouse alone feels like an exhibit, so rich and inspiring. The Upper East Side truly has it all.

I found the Art Galleries on the Upper East Side to be very beautiful compared to the ones in other neighborhoods in the city. Mostly located in old or renovated townhouses, with a certain New York City je ne sais quoi. As you may know, Art Galleries are free to visit, which makes them a little more exciting. I focused on Art Galleries in the 60’s to 80’s on the Upper East Side.

Whether you live in the neighborhood or visiting, pick a few, mark your calendar and hop on the subway. You’re up for a treat.

 

This blog post is all about The Notable Upper East Side Galleries. Where to go and what to see.

 

SALON 94

I visited Salon 94 in the summer, this was before I thought about covering this topic in a blog post. I wasn’t sure what to expect but if you’re ever in the high 80’s on the Upper East Side, or visiting The Guggenheim Museum, don’t forget to stop by. You are truly up for a treat. Located at 3 E 89^th St, in a three-story renovated town house, which will make you want to move in. When I visited, the selection was a mix of sculptures, and oil paintings. The Gallery was founded in 2022 and has been showcasing Art from around the world. The Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday 11 am-6 pm, but check Google for the most up to date information.

 

GALERIE BUCHHOLZ

Private space on the first floor of a townhouse, dedicated to showcasing contemporary Art, the work of artists who are alive, from our time. Small space but interesting pieces. I saw Samuel Hindolo’s work, which included pieces of modern culture integrated into drawings, almost as a moving image. The staff are always ready to chat with you about the Artist or the Art showcased. It takes about 20 mins to see the Art. Open Tuesday through Saturday 11-6 pm, but check Google for the most up to date information.

 

DAVID NOLAN GALLERY

Private space on the fourth floor of an elevator building, dedicated to contemporary art of different kinds, including sculpture, painting, installation, amongst others. The gallery is in a rather small space but home to thought-provoking pieces. I saw pieces from Barry Le Va, the 4 layers of shattered glass was a masterpiece. Staff were kind and available to give information about the Art displayed as well as Artists. It takes around 15 mins to see the Art. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-6 pm, but check Google for the most up to date information.

 

LEILA HELLER GALLERY

You may recognize the name if you’ve visited art galleries in Chelsea or Dubai. Leila Heller Gallery relocated to the Upper East Side in 2019, on the first floor of a townhouse building. The Gallery in Dubai opened in 2015 and is known to be the largest one in the city.  Known for showcasing Art from Western and Middle Eastern artists and featuring many well-known Artists’ work like Andy Warhol, Richard Prince, amongst others. I saw Arthur Carter’s work ‘Geometric Abstraction’, who’s background in finance influences his Art, very interesting. Leila Heller Gallery is an absolute must visit, I will be back for sure. It takes about 30 mins to see the Art. Open Monday through Saturday 10 am-6 pm, but check Google for the most up to date information.

 

SPRÜTH MAGERS GALLERY

Located on the second floor at 22 E 80th St, same building as the Leila Heller Gallery, a quick set of stairs up and you are up for a treat at this gallery. This is a must-see, which I almost skipped as I had also visited other galleries on the fourth and fifth floors of the building. Sprüth Gallery was born in Cologne, Berlin and now an international gallery focused on contemporary Art. They opened this gallery in 2022, and it is packed with Art in a space that is equivalent to a one-bedroom apartment (Manhattan size). I got to see the work of Jenny Holzer, ‘WORDS’ – very interesting statements on the current anxieties of life and events. Staff was very welcoming and walked me through the collection. I will be coming back for sure. It takes around 30 mins to see the Art. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-6 pm, but check Google for the most up to date information.

 

SKARSTEDT GALLERY

Founded in 1994, Skarstedt operates out of three museums located in London, Paris and New York City. The Gallery showcases a small selection on a two-story townhouse. They work with a large number of artists and estates. It takes around 15-20 mins to see the Art. Open Tuesday through Friday 9:30 am-6 pm & Saturday 10 am-5 pm, but check Google for the most up to date information.

 

GALERIE GMURZYNSKA

Founded in 1965 in Cologne, Germany, now with two locations in Switzerland and another in New York City, which opened in 2017 at the Corner of E 78th St and Madison Avenue. The gallery focuses on 20th century Modern and Contemporary classics. Staff are very nice and will chat with you about the Art and Artist. While it is a small size gallery, they are moving to another location on the Upper East Side, which we are excited to visit. It takes around 10-15 mins to see the Art. Open Monday through Friday 10 am-6 pm and 10 am-5 pm on Saturday.

 

ALMINE RECH

This is another Gallery located at E 78th St and Madison Avenue. Almine Rech is an international gallery with presence in Paris, Brussels, London, New York, Shanghai and Monaco. Founded in 1989 in Paris with a focus on minimal, perceptual and conceptual artists (as the website mentions) and true during my visit. The work of Paul de Flers had an impressionist feel which reminded me of Claude Monet. The gallery is of a rather decent size and you can easily spend 20-30 mins looking at the Art. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-6 pm.

 

WHITE CUBE

This is another international gallery with locations in London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Seoul. Known to many around the world, the gallery in NYC opened only in October 2023. It is a two story but elevator accessible building, and rather large exhibition, so you can easily spend 30 mins looking at the Art. I got to see Ibrahim Mahama’s work, focused on physical labor throughout the entire exhibition, the raw materials were brought in from Ghana – it was out of this world. The gallery is of a rather decent size and you can easily spend 20-30 mins looking at the Art. Staff were welcoming, and Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-6 pm.

 

MICHAEL WERNER GALLERY

Michael Werner is an international gallery first located in Berlin, then Cologne, New York, London, Beverly Hills, and Athens. The Gallery showcases the work of contemporary American and European artists, from paintings, sculptures to drawings. Located on 77th Street in a townhouse, you can buzz from downstairs to get in. The building is quintessentially Upper East Side. I got to see Francis Picabia’s work, which was very exciting, very raw, very real, as he paints women. I will be back for sure. The gallery is of a decent size and you can easily spend 20-25 mins looking at the Art. Staff were very welcoming, and Open Monday through Saturday 10 am-6 pm.

 

GAGOSIAN

Gagosian is truly as good as it gets when speaking about Art Galleries. It is probably the first name that comes to mind too. Established by Larry Gagosian in Los Angeles in 1980, now with 19 galleries across the US, Europe and Asia. Gagosian also has his publishing house with a variety of print including magazines and books. You check in at the entrance of the building and take the elevator to the 6th Fl (they did ask for ID). The Gallery spans across the 6th and 5th floor, a massive space with a very modern and clean aesthetic – as you would expect at any Gagosian Gallery. The Gallery is focused on showcasing Contemporary and Modern Art. I got to see Mark Grotjahn’s work. There was a piece from Andy Warhol on the 5th floor, I wasn’t allowed to step in with my coffee in that room and I couldn’t take photos of that piece – all good. You can easily spend 20 mins looking at the Art. It was a joy to be there, everyone was very welcoming including security downstairs.

 

KATE OH GALLERY

The Gallery was founded in 2017 by Kate Oh, dedicated to showcasing a variety of Art from emerging and well-known artists. It is located in a typical gallery-like area. I saw the work of a Spanish Artist, Angels Grau entitled Invisible Women & Brave Girls, which was very cool. It’s meant to be inspiring to women and kids, that you can do anything – sort of like the Fearless Girl who stood up to the Wall Street Bull. Very interesting color choices, gradients. I thought it was remarkable, and for some reason very Spanish. You can easily spend 15-20 mins looking at the Art. The Gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday 11- 6 pm.

 

DAVID ZWIRNER

This is an international gallery located in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris and Hong Kong. Founded in 1993, it opened its first branch in New York City, SoHo neighborhood. Over the course of thirty years, it became an internationally known gallery. It now represents the work of 70 artists and their estates. It also set forth a publishing company and podcast more recently. During my visit at the UES location, I got to see the work of Jon Serl, ‘no straight lines’ which was so fascinating. One of the few times I wished I could buy one of the pieces. The Gallery spans over three floors in a beautiful townhouse, I was in love with the staircase, building, windows, fireplaces – all of it. The gallery is huge and you can easily spend 30-35 mins looking at the Art. It is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am – 6 pm.

 

LÉVY GORVY DAYAN

Just go see the townhouse it’s located in, even if Art doesn’t matter to you, maybe Architecture does? The very first time I came to this gallery they were in between exhibitions and I couldn’t walk in, but I stood at the desk near the entrance and I couldn’t take my eyes off the beautiful floor, ceiling moldings, all of it. I saw Francesco Clemente’s Summer Love in the Fall exhibition, which was so calming and beautiful. This is a must-visit gallery, don’t skip it. The gallery is huge and you will probably spend around 20 mins looking at the collection (and architecture). It is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am – 6 pm.

 

 

This blog post was all about The Notable Upper East Side Galleries. Where to go and what to see. Which one was your favorite?

 

 

As always, thank you for stopping by and reading. Click here if you’d like to see & follow my Instagram page @girlontheues.

 

See you next week,

Girl on the Upper East Side

Xx

 

If this interests you, you might enjoy reading my blog post on The Best Bookstores in Brooklyn, The Best Museums in NYC, and Transitional Pieces for 2024.