Not all great art is in a gallery or museum, in the summer months Governor’s Island is host to some incredible installations, The May Room and the NADA House
Sometimes it’s nice to get away, especially when it’s summer in Manhattan and the heat just accentuates the smells of the NYC streets. Governor’s Island is a lovely day-trip, just a mere ~10 minute ferry ride from the south of Manhattan. Governor’s island is managed by the national park service and there’s tons of space to picnic, ride bikes and just enjoy some trees and grass. However, there’s even more to the island in the summer Months of May-August.
The May Room
Shantell Martin’s converted chapel, titled - The May Room is an absolute must-see.
Shantell Martin's The May Room
The trust that operates the island invited Shantell Martin out in 2018 to create an art installation. She chose this building, which was a Roman Catholic chapel that members of the US army went to during world war II.
Shantell Martin's The May Room
“I picked the chapel because it was like the perfect blank, white canvas, but also, I’d been wanting to create a contemplative space for a long time, and that it had been abandoned for over 20 years, and was damaged by Hurricane Sandy, it was a chance to give it a second life.” - Shantell Martin (source)
Shantell Martin's The May Room
Shantell Martin's The May Room
Shantell Martin's The May Room
Shantell Martin's The May Room
NADA House
The NADA House is actually three houses...filled with art from over 100 artists, organized by 66 galleries, non-profits, artist-run spaces, and curators. This is the third edition, put on by the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA).
Tamika Rivera presented by Fort Makers, New York
The theme for this year was “works that directly respond to the complex history of Governors Island’s colonial, military, and political past.” (source)
Willie Jinks presented by SHRINE, New York
Marie Lorenz, presented by Jack Hanley Gallery, New York
Lucia Love presented by JDJ, New York
Lucia Love presented by JDJ, New York
Monsieur Zohore, Sandy Williams IV presented by New Release, New York
Monsieur Zohore, Sandy Williams IV presented by New Release, New York
Monsieur Zohore, Sandy Williams IV presented by New Release, New York
Monsieur Zohore, Sandy Williams IV presented by New Release, New York
Ana Bidart presented by Josée Bienvenu Gallery, New York
Ernesto Gutiérrez Moya presented by Emerson Dorsch Gallery, Miami
Scott Covert presented by FIERMAN, New York
Ignacio Gatica, Presented by CASANOVA, São Paulo
Dagnini, Alexander Shchurenkov presented by Fragment Gallery, Moscow
Dagnini, Alexander Shchurenkov presented by Fragment Gallery, Moscow
Mikolaj Sobczak, Tadeusz Kantor presented by Polana Institute, Warsaw
Adam Taye presented by Rawson Projects, New York
Michelle Rosenberg presented by SITUATIONS, New York
Nandi Loaf, Tom Koehler presented by King’s Leap, New York
Nandi Loaf, presented by King’s Leap, New York
Josie Love Roebuck presented by Latchkey Gallery, New York
Johannah Herr presented by Geary, New York
Johannah Herr presented by Geary, New York
Johannah Herr presented by Geary, New York
Clement Siatous presented by Paula Naughton, New York
Clement Siatous presented by Paula Naughton, New York
Suzanne McClelland, Michael St. John, Monsieur Zohore presented by de boer, Los Angeles
Michael St. John
William Scott presented by Creative Growth Art Center, Oakland
Alix Pearlstein presented by Catbox Contemporary, New York
Alix Pearlstein presented by Catbox Contemporary, New York
Alix Pearlstein presented by Catbox Contemporary, New York
Ficus Interfaith presented by Deli Gallery, New York
Ficus Interfaith presented by Deli Gallery, New York
Léo Luccioni presented by Stems Gallery, Brussels
You can explore all of the artwork in the houses in the catalog here.
