Free Arts Events Throughout May At Gramercy's National Arts Club

GRAMERCY, NY — Interested in poetry? What about Washington Square Park's history and future? Want to learn more about the intersection of crime and fashion?

A private arts club in Gramercy Park is hosting more than a dozen free arts events next month. The National Arts Club, located at 15 Gramercy Park South, announced its May line-up for free and public arts exhibitions, talks and performances.

See below for the line-up:

Wednesday, May 1, 7 p.m.
Music Homecoming: Gramercy Brass Orchestra
The Gramercy Brass Orchestra, founded in Gramercy Park in 1982, is joined by a guest pianist, dummer and vocalist will perform classics and jazz to modern pop.

Monday, May 6, 7 p.m.
Graywolf Press at 45: A Celebration Reading
The National Arts Club will present a 45th anniversary celebration of poetry publisher Graywolf Press's poetry list. The event is co-sponsored by Poetry Society of America.

Friday, May 10, 7 p.m.
FashionSpeak Fridays: Guo Pei — Costume Beyond
An evening with Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei and fashion historian Carmela Spinelli. Pei's fusion of ancient tradition and modernity led to her becoming the first Chinese designer to join the Chambre Dyndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris. RSVP required: RSVPFashion@thenationalartsclub.org

Monday, May 13, 8 p.m.
Speaking of Shakespeare with F. Murray Abraham
A talk with F. Murray Abraham on his career in film and television and his passion for Shakespeare.

Tuesday, May 14, 8 p.m.
New York's Beloved and Iconic Washington Square Park
George Vellonakis, Park Administrator and the Executive Director of Washington Square Park's Conservancy, discusses the history and future of the park, as well as the truth about the Arch's hidden door.

Monday, May 20, 8 p.m.
Keys of the Kingdom by John Lahr, Directed by John Hancock
A staged reading of Tony Award-winner John Lahr's play, 'The Fishing Play,' directed by John Hancock. RSVP required: theatre@thenationalartsclub.org

Tuesday, May 21, 6:30 p.m.
Wilderstein, Crown Jewel of the Hudson River National Historic Landmark District
John Winthrop Aldrich, a Livingston descendant and of the 10th generation of his family to occupy the historic estate Rokeby, will discuss his account of the Wilderstein historic site's preservation. Aldrich previously served as the New York State Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation. RSVP required: roundtable@thenationalartsclub.org

Friday, May 24, 7 p.m.
FashionSpeak Fridays: Crimes of Fashion
Fashion historian Alison Matthews David discusses the intersections of fashion and crime, particularly how clothing was used as weapons, evidence and disguise. David will present 1920s portraits from the Sydney Police and Justice Museum's collection. RSVP required: RSVPFashion@thenationalartsclub.org

Thursday, May 30, 6:30 p.m.
Is Artificial Intelligence the Future of Art?
Speakers from the arts and academia discuss art, originality and who or what can be an artist.

Ongoing exhibitions:

Exhibitions at the National Arts Club are on display Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

April 29 - June 14
Studio in the Street: Symbols — Totems — Cypheres
Street art works from the early 1980s by artists Keith Haring, Richard Hambleton, Scot Borofsky, Ken Hiratsuka and more.

April 29 - May 31
Iké Udé and The Intangible Aspects of Fashion
Iké Udé's conceptual photographs with saturated color exploring cultural identity and gender.

April 29 - May 31
SaySay.Love: Water
Artist SaySay.Love's photographs celebrating the beauty of water and unveiling the possibilities of iPhone photography.

May 1 - 31
Marcia Grostein: Brighton Beach Project — The World as it Should Be
New York-based, Sao Paulo-born photographer Marcia Grostein's photographs feature the oceanside community of Brighton Beach.

For more information, visit the National Arts Club.