Freshly Curated Experience
NYC Art Scene Insight
Here is what guests say about Art Gallery Circuit:
'Extremely knowledgable'
"I booked this tour for myself and my daughter. Not only was Jody extremely knowledgeable she was also very friendly. She made us feel welcome and our questions and inquiries were met with enthusiasm that really kept us engaged. I never felt intimidated and the knowledge we gained was greatly appreciated. We only wish we had more time! Will definitely will book Jody again for future visits."
M. ONTIVEROS | SEPTEMBER, 2023
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'Not to be missed'
"What a wonderful overview of current gallery offerings in this area of NYC. Jody provided a great tour with a real feeling of being in the know about good galleries and interesting shows. She was clearly very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the area, the artists and the galleries. A not to be missed tour for anyone who appreciates contemporary art."
A. ZYZIK | JUNE 2023
'Terrific tour and a fantastic tour guide'
"I learned so much on this tour with Jody! Now, when I visit again, I'll be sure to build time in to visit art galleries in Chelsea. Jody's opened up a whole new world of art to me. Terrific tour and fantastic tour guide-thanks, Jody!"
G. ALLEN | JUNE 2023
THE TOURS
You have the option of going on a public, group tour where there are up to 8 guests, or arranging a Private Gallery Tour for a group of up to 6 friends or family members:
Chelsea Gallery Tour
Tour unmissable shows in Manhattan's main gallery district with Jody Lee Drafta. Hers are the only artist-led gallery tours in New York. On your visit you will see a mix of well-known and emerging visual artists working in a variety of media, in gorgeous gallery spaces.
As you stroll and take in the work, you will hear about each artist's working process and what they have to say about their work while you have the chance to chat with other guests about the pieces that move and challenge you the most.
As you stroll and take in the work, you will hear about each artist's working process and what they have to say about their work while you have the chance to chat with other guests about the pieces that move and challenge you the most.
- Each tour lasts two hours and includes eight to nine galleries.
- A Chelsea Gallery Tour costs $100 per person. The maximum number of guests is eight.
Private Gallery Tour
Private tours are ideal for groups of friends, work colleagues or visiting family. A private tour is an intimate and customized experience and will give you a chance to set the pace and delve a little more deeply into the work you see. Jody crafts the itineraries for private tours based on the group's preference of media and the available shows. When you reserve a private tour, Jody will be in touch promptly to ask for any guidelines you want her to have on preferred artistic media.
- Each Private Tour lasts two hours and includes eight to ten galleries.
- They take place in Chelsea but depending on current shows may be able to take place in Tribeca - a relatively recent, very interesting gallery neighborhood.
- The cost for a private tour is $400 for up to six guests.
YOUR GUIDE
Jody Lee Drafta is an artist and writer based in New York City. For over twenty years she has made and shown her work, published exhibition reviews and taught sculpture and drawing.
Jody's insightful style as a tour curator draws on a nuanced understanding of images, materials, and the drivers of creative expression. She is committed to arranging the careful and abundant research she does into an experience that brings to life the best of what artists do.
Jody has been awarded numerous awards and grants in recognition of her work, among them a residency at the McDowell Colony and the Dozier Travel Grant.
She created a different way for artists to fund their work called Partisans of the Studio. That program was profiled in the book The Artist’s Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love, by Jackie Battenfield.
Jody holds an MFA, a BFA, and a BA in German Literature and Humanities from Reed College, Phi Beta Kappa. She is a licensed tour guide for the City of New York.
Jody's insightful style as a tour curator draws on a nuanced understanding of images, materials, and the drivers of creative expression. She is committed to arranging the careful and abundant research she does into an experience that brings to life the best of what artists do.
Jody has been awarded numerous awards and grants in recognition of her work, among them a residency at the McDowell Colony and the Dozier Travel Grant.
She created a different way for artists to fund their work called Partisans of the Studio. That program was profiled in the book The Artist’s Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love, by Jackie Battenfield.
Jody holds an MFA, a BFA, and a BA in German Literature and Humanities from Reed College, Phi Beta Kappa. She is a licensed tour guide for the City of New York.