Greenwich Village Artists – The West Village in Manhattan is the Home to Artist Hotspot Westbeth
Most tourists today equate Greenwich Village with celebrities and cool dance clubs. But historic Greenwich Village or West Village New York City, is the grassroots for many local artists of the visual and the performing arts venue, which only briefly become known to the tourist.
One of the older grassroots buildings is home to the largest artist community in the world known as Westbeth and is the heart of all visual and performing artists in Greenwich Village. The Artists’ Residents Council at Westbeth provides free cultural events such as poetry readings, music and drama performances, and foreign and local films. It also runs the Westbeth Art Gallery which exhibits the work of both resident and outside artists.
Greenwich Village Artists
The complex was converted to an artists’ colony in 1969. Located across from the Hudson River, Westbeth was recognized in 1970 as a place where struggling artists needed a place to produce their art without the financial pressure to try and make it as artists. Artists today join ranks of many distinguished and well-known celebrities such as Vin Diesel, Toni Dalton and Robert De Niro, Sr. Struggling today to be recognized as a New York City landmark, it is the original home of Bell Labs (1868-1966). One of the first demonstrations of television transmission occurred at Westbeth. Westbeth was also the original home of the NBC radio network.
Westbeth Artist Gallery
At the Westbeth artist gallery, you will find a wide variety of visual artists some of whom are Westbeth residents while a larger majority come from the outside. Types of visual arts range from watercolor to photography. It’s best to call in advance to confirm opening gallery exhibitions and gallery hours. The gallery is open to the public and is free of charge. The Westbeth community room and courtyard also houses free live dance and music performances, so it’s best to check the website for periodic updates.
West Village and the Arts
Westbeth is also the home to Bank Street Theater at Westbeth and the Merce Cunningham dance studio. Check their websites to find an ongoing list of performances and programs. And of course, the roots of the famous Greenwich Village Halloween Parade began at Westbeth with visual designer, Ralph Lee.
The HB acting studio located right across the street on Bank street and is home to many famous actors. They give free public readings and performances. Westbeth’s inner and outer courtyards have a few neat sculptors in addition to its urban charm. Its main entrance is on Bethune Street, right across the street from the Hudson River.
Good Luck and enjoy Greenwich Village!
