The neighborhood of Chelsea—roughly running from 14th St. to 30th St. between Seventh Ave and the Hudson River—has a rich history in the art world.
Corey Fuller - Staff Writer•
This history started as far back as 1884, when the iconic Hotel Chelsea opened on 23rd Street and became a haven for the NYC art and music scene (Andy Warhol even made a film there!). Today, it still holds that same cultural significance, with the addition of the elevated High Line Park with its outdoor exhibitions, and of course, the many art galleries—which are all free to visit. So here’s a guide for your next budget-friendly, high-culture outing with some of the best free art galleries in Chelsea, NYC:
1. Gagosian Gallery
Larry Gagosian is a renowned art gallery owner who started off in Los Angeles in 1980 and has since expanded to New York (his second oldest gallery), Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Paris, Geneva, Basel, Rome, Athens and Hong Kong. It’s a bit high-end, but arguably one of the most best galleries in all of the city, closer to a museum in and of itself.
Where: 555 W 24th St.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm
2. David Zwirner Gallery
The David Zwirner Gallery is well-known for its Instagram-friendly gallery exhibitions that pass through (like Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room). But if you try it off-season, you can enjoy other amazing contemporary art exhibits without the crowds, like James Welling’s Thought Objects exhibit on display now through February 10.
Where: 525 W 19th St.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm
3. High Line Nine
This gallery only takes up one number on the list, but is pretty much like nine galleries in one! The hybrid gallery, exhibition, and event space is underneath the historic High Line park and connects nine different galleries flowing from one to the other within the space. They also have a lovely on-site Italian cafe with coffee, paninis, pastas, gelato, freshly made pastries, and wine in the evening.
Where: 507 West 27th St.
Hours: Individual gallery hours vary. Learn more here.
4. Agora Gallery
Agora Gallery was founded by an artist in 1984 in hopes of promoting all different kinds of work by artists from all over the world in the competitive New York market. Exhibits typically change up monthly, and the current one open features works by a variety of different artists, called “Altered Perceptions.”
Where: 530 West 25th St.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm
5. Wilensky Exquisite Mineral Gallery
This is nature’s art gallery! A hidden gem (literally), the Wilnesky Mineral Gallery displays the Earth’s most beautiful minerals as art sculptures. Right now you can catch stunning fluorite, tourmaline, opal, celestite, rhodonite, amethyst, and more!
Where: 173 10th Ave.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 12 pm – 5 pm
6. C24 Gallery
C24 Gallery (it’s in Chelsea on 24th St., so we can guess where the name comes from) opened in 2011 and serves as a contemporary international art gallery. The past few years they have been on a mission to include more underrepresented artists and to better reflect political and social issues in the works they choose to display. It’s multi-leveled and has lots of natural light thanks to a giant skylight.
Where: 560 W 24th St.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
7. 303 Gallery
303 is one of the oldest galleries in Chelsea, harkening back to 1984 (though in later years it did move to the East Village to SoHo and then eventually back to Chelsea). Though on the smaller side, it has many interesting mixed media exhibits.
Where: 555 W 21st St.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
8. Lisson Gallery
The Lisson Gallery opened in 2016 and boasts 4,500 square feet of gallery space (along with another 4,000 square feet of offices, viewing spaces and storage). It’s under the High Line, connecting 23rd and 24th St. The current exhibits include color-saturated paintings by Tony Bechara and minimal abstract art from the 1940s by Leon Polk Smith.
Where: 504 West 24th St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10a.m. – 6p.m.
9. Tanya Bonakdar Gallery
This gallery offers many more sculptural and installation pieces, perfect if you like art you can interact with. The current exhibit, May I Know How to be the Sun on Cloudy Days, comes from Sandra Cinto who uses drawing to create create intricate images and immersive environments of seascapes, rainstorms, and beyond.
Where: 521 W 21st St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10a.m. – 6p.m.
10. Petzel Gallery
The Petzel Gallery just opened another sister museum on the Upper East Side, and features internationally renowned artists like Yael Bartana, Walead Beshty, Cosima von Bonin, Troy Brauntuch, and many more.
Where: 456 W 18th St.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
11. Pace Gallery
Pace Gallery is a leading international art gallery representing some of the most influential contemporary artists and estates from the past century, including Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet, Barbara Hepworth, Agnes Martin, Louise Nevelson, and Mark Rothko. With 2 adjacent locations in Chelsea, the gallery welcomes over 120,000 visitors a year. See what’s on at Pace Gallery here.
Where: 540 W 25th St & 610 W 25th St
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
12. Taglialatella Galleries
This modern and contemporary art gallery in Chelsea is most known for their pop and street art, which has featured the likes of Damian Hirst, KAWS, Invader, and many more. If you’re looking for some cool cultural street staples, head here. See what’s on at Tagliatella Galleries here.
Where: 229 10th Ave
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
13. Marianne Boesky Gallery
Consisting of two adjacent spaces, Marianne Boesky Gallery welcomes the work of contemporary international artists of all media. It’s known most for “ambitious solo and group shows that highlight dynamic narratives and parallels across artist, media, and theme.” See what’s on at Marianne Boesky Gallery here.
Where: 507 W 24th St
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
14. Hauser & Wirth
This 5 story gallery was designed by world-renowned architect Annabelle Selldorf and features art that aims to be the “forefront of every visitor experience.” You can find a wide range of contemporary art across various mediums here. See what’s on at Hauser & Wirth here.
Where: 542 W 22nd St
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
15. Templon
Originating in Paris back in 1966, Templon has a New York location where it welcomes incredible international art from around the world. See what’s on at Templon here.
Where: 293 10th Ave
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
See also:
