By Mrs Smith (Art and Textiles Teacher)

On Saturday 19th October, 35 Year 11 to Upper Sixth Art and Textiles students, along with three staff members, set off for the bright lights and energy of New York City for an arts and cultural exploration of the city that never sleeps.

The majority of the first day was spent travelling from London Heathrow to JFK Airport, arriving in New York in the evening. Once we checked into the hotel, we settled in for a good night’s sleep, ready for the busy days ahead.

Our early start on day two began with an American-style breakfast at a local café, followed by a visit to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). After exploring MoMA, we took a stroll through Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where we enjoyed a vast collection of artwork spanning numerous genres and eras, offering something for everyone’s taste.

In the evening, we ventured to Times Square for an exciting night of shopping and entertainment, including a lively meal at Ellen’s Stardust Diner.

Day three began even earlier, with a subway ride downtown to Ground Zero, where we took a moment to remember those who were lost in the 9/11 tragedy. We then walked to view the Statue of Liberty across the bay before heading to the National Museum of the American Indian to appreciate Native American heritage and artwork.

Our day ended with a visit to a Christmas shop, followed by dinner at La Mela restaurant in Little Italy, where we enjoyed a selection of pasta dishes and homemade tiramisu.

Our fourth and final day in the Big Apple included a visit to the Guggenheim Museum. We travelled by subway once more to view a collection of mixed media, fabric, and installation pieces by modern artists. The trip concluded with lunch at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square.

After an overnight flight back to the UK, we returned to BGS by lunchtime on day five, exhausted but with unforgettable memories from our time in New York.

Amy Gillespie (Year 11) shared: “I loved seeing Monet’s work up close at the Met and the use of light and composition in the Victorian paintings. The trip was amazing, and I’d love to go back someday.”

View photos from our adventure in New York City here.