American Academy of Arts & Letters: 156th and Broadway

"Texas Swing" by Malcolm Morley.  Oil on linen, 80.5" x 120"

The American Academy of Arts and Letters is an institution that strives to recognize and award emerging artists--painters, sculptors, architects, composers, and writers.  It clearly doesn't get the pomp and circumstance that the Oscars or the Emmys generates, but if you have an interest in any of the represented arts and are lucky enough to have time in NYC when they are exhibiting winning pieces (twice a year; the current show goes from May 18 to June 12 -- check out their website for the latest: http://www.artsandletters.org/), you should definitely take a look.  You could have a very personalized and serene experience (I was the only one visiting during the forty-five minutes I was there).

"Years Later" by Amy Bennett. Monotype: oil on paper, 18" x 22.5" framed

I particularly liked the fact that Academy members were the ones who were manning the 4 galleries.  These "security guards" are actually artists and obviously have a real interest in the art and exhibition space.  They are more than willing to share their insights, thoughts, etc. and that is a real treat.

Architectural Presentation Model by Robert A. M. Stern

I particularly liked a few of the paintings (see first two photos above) that caught real life details and light in an almost surreal way.  I was fascinated by the architectural models (see above), especially the Disney casting center and feature animation buildings as well as the deconstructed Mickey Mouse seating (perhaps once a cast member, always a cast member? -- I once worked for the Mouse).  Also, there were several cabinets filled with recently published books displayed with manuscript pages (see below); it got me thinking about the process of writing, publishing and possibilities....

A well-timed visit to the American Academy of Arts and Letters can be an inspiration to the opened heart and mind.

Morris-Jumel Mansion (2 of 2): 162nd St & St. Nicholas Ave

Sylan Terrace, Historic Carriage Houses North of Morris-Jumel Mansion,
Recent Set of HBO's Mob Series, "Boardwalk Empire"

The independent corporation that manages the Morris-Jumel Mansion not only brings history to life by taking care of this historical mansion, but they provide educational tours, student programs, book discussions, theater performances, and writing workshops.  I think they strive to inspire and support visitors' imaginations and minds.

I attended a historical fiction writing workshop just to try something new.  The instructors from Uptown Writers were very encouraging, talked about aspects important to writing historical fiction (like extensive research), and had all the participants take a shot at using something from the mansion to inspire a short writing.  I must say that these creative mental muscles were sorely atrophied in me, but with a little excitement and trepidation, I tried my hand at the 20 minute exercise.

I picked a special piece of furniture in Eliza Chase's (Eliza Jumel never had children of her own but adopted her sister's daughter and son as her own) bedroom.  This metamorphic desk/chair (see right) was patented by Stephen Hedges in 1854 and could be opened, top flipped open in half (as shown) forming a seat inside the table on wheels, or it could be closed and the top flipped closed to be a more traditional side table.

Here's an excerpt of what I wrote to hopefully help you get inspired to try something new:

William was locked in.  There was no other way to get him to concentrate on his lessons so it was just as well.  Aunt Eliza dropped him into the metamorphic desk-chair and hooked the contraption closed.  There were no comforting cushions, but then again it wasn't made for comfort.  He felt the hard edge of the seat dig into the backs of his thighs as he shuffled himself and the whole desk-chair unit toward a window.  Perhaps he could catch a glimpse of Milton's boy in the garden.  If only he could finish his letters.  Then Aunt Eliza would let him out, flip down the top and shut the desk closed.  She would pat his shoulder and tell him he was a good boy for working so hard and that as a reward he could go outside and play.  Then he'd be free....