Salman Toor, Wish Maker, at Luhring Augustine Gallery
Sophia Penske is the founder of Penske Projects and an art advisor at Gagosian Art Advisory. Each month, she covers the best of the art world for Coveteur through an insider lens.
For most, New York City is the art capital of the world, and the frenzy hits a fever pitch when the fairs come to town during the month of May. Starting in the last weeks of April, some of the best gallery and museum exhibits of the year begin a lead-up to the main art week. This year, May 5 to 12 marks the annual New York Art Week, which includes over 20 galleries, museums, and auction houses presenting programming and fairs all over the City.
Although, it may seem overwhelming, I've distilled down a guide of things to do for both the seasoned collector, as well as anyone who is just looking for a good time in and around three of the main fairs—Frieze, Independent, and TEFAF.
Frieze New York
When: May 7-11 | frieze.com
Where: The Shed, 545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
What to see: Frieze, one of the top fairs in the world, always bring buzz and energy to May in New York. Top galleries from around the world present booths featuring solo shows, curated group exhibitions, and installations, spotlighting rising talents alongside some of the most iconic names in art history. There are a few artists’ works who I am drawn to most this year at the fair: Daisuke Funkunaga at Tomio Koyama Gallery, Doron Langberg at Victoria Miro, and Moka Lee at Carlos/Ishikawa.
What to do nearby: After the fair, make your way down through Chelsea for a gallery stroll, but first, fuel-up with a perfect bowl of pasta at Ci Siamo and then walkover to my no-longer-secret- obsession, the Equinox Hotel Spa. You're able to, book an individual infrared sauna for 30 or 60 minutes, as well as a Biologique Recherche facial. I will definitely spend an entire day here by the end of the week.
Along the way, stop into two standout satellite fairs: NADA at the Starrett-Lehigh Building, and Future Fair at Chelsea Industrial; both celebrating the next wave of emerging artists and gallerists. If hunger strikes again, swing by Sushi Counter for the best gluten-free handrolls in the city (the shrimp tempura is a personal favorite.) For a quiet moment, detour to Jefferson Market Garden before having a glass of wine at the always-charming St Jardim. End the day at Zimmi’s, where the citrus salad and la pissaladière are must-orders. Keep an eye out for the intimate 15-seat wine bar, Bar à Part, the Zimmi’s team is opening next door soon.
Independent Art Fair
When: May 8-11 | independenthq.com
Where: Spring Studios, 50 Varick Street, TriBeCa, Manhattan
What to see: Independent Art Fair offers a more intimate, curator-driven experience featuring cutting-edge presentations from emerging artists, rediscoveries of overlooked figures, and bold experiments from established names all within a uniquely personal, gallery-led format. Julia Jo’s solo booth at Charles Moffett, Laura Footes at SHRINE, and Nicole Economides’ paintings at Callirrhoe are not to be missed. In addition to Independent, 1-54 (Halo, 28 Liberty Street) and Ester II (Estonian House, 243 E 34th St) are nearby.
What to do nearby: Downtown is my home, so I won’t snitch on all my favorites, but I’ll reveal a few that are worth sharing. Start your day with matcha from Sorate, one of the city’s best. If coffee’s more your craving, Fellini Coffee in SoHo makes a flawless latte. For a quick lunch, the tuna melt at Café Yaya hits the spot, and doubles as a great place to post-up with your laptop if you’re working remotely, or remotely working. After the fair while you’re hopping between galleries downtown, treat yourself to a slice of cake from From Lucie, where the pastries are as beautiful as they are delicious.
If you're in need of a recharge, book a massage at the Shibui Spa at The Greenwich Hotel or an evening soak at AIRE Ancient Baths. End the night with a glass of sommelier’s choice at Parcelle (both the Greenwich Village and Chinatown spots are great), and for dinner, Kiko is the hidden gem to know. The Dungeness crab handrolls are reason enough to stop in, even just as a pre-dinner snack if you’re passing by, and if weather permits, the two outdoor tables are ideal.
TEFAF New York
Alexander Calder - Little White, c. 1958
White Cube
When: May 9–13 | www.tefaf.com
Where: Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
What to see: TEFAF New York turns the Park Avenue Armory into a treasure trove of art, design, and historic objects, where Old Masters sit alongside modern and rising stars. With some of the world’s most prestigious galleries in the mix, it’s equal parts sophistication and discovery for collectors.
This year, out of all the fairs, I’m most looking forward to TEFAF, especially because both of my business partners at Gagosian Art Advisory, Bernard Lagrange and Michael Walker, will be joining me here. I’m excited about a number of tiny works being shown, including a beautiful Alexander Calder mobile at White Cube, a painting by Dhewadi Hadjab and a work on paper by Pablo Picasso at Kammel Mennour, a painting by Matthew Wong at KARMA, and Anna Weyant’s solo booth of gem-sized jewelry paintings at Gagosian.
What to do: If you find yourself wandering uptown after the fair, use it as an excuse to slow down and indulge. Book a facial at the Valmont Spa at The Carlyle, then head to the newly opened Violet Grey store to browse beauty staples from their curated finds. Stop by the Tea Room by Calmplex for a meditative tea break, then stroll through the Conservatory Garden in Central Park to see the most beautiful flowers that have newly bloomed, and Madison Fare for an elevated froyo experience you didn’t know that you needed. For nighttime plans, start with natural wine at Bar Florine or a cocktail and handroll amongst master work paintings at Kappo Masa. Dinner at Le Veau d’Or is a classic, and newly renovated, old-school and effortlessly chic. Post dinner, definitely stop in for a cocktail at the charming Clemente Bar above Eleven Madison Park. The space, designed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works, is filled with one-of-a-kind works by Francesco Clemente, in addition to thoughtfully sourced vintage pieces, furniture by LA-based designer Brett Robinson, and custom lamps by the German artist Carsten Höller.
The Best Art Exhibitions To See In New York
Louise Giovanelli - Mea Domina, 2025
GRIMM
Below, I'm sharing my picks for the best exhibitions to see in New York City right now:
What: Joeun Kim Aatchim Red Ribbon
When: May 5 - June 7, 2025
Where: Francois Ghebaly, 391 Grand Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
What: Atticus Wakefield After the Allegory
When: May 7 – 17, 2025
Where: Incubator NY, 291 Grand Street, 4th Floor, Lower East Side, Manhattan
What:L'AUTRE RIVE by Coco Young & Fluffing the Foliage by Xingzi Gu
When: May 7 - June 21, 2025
Where: C L E A R I N G, 260 Bowery, Nolita, Manhattan
What: G.V. Rodriguez & Bennet Schlesinger Every Single Time
When: April 25 - May 31, 2025
Where: Sebastian Gladstone, 36 White Street, TriBeCa, Manhattan
What: Louise Giovanelli Still Moving
When: May 9 – June 21, 2025
Where: GRIMM, 54 White Street, TriBeCa, Manhattan
What: Nate Antolik
When: May 2 – June 7, 2025
Where: 15 Orient, 72 Walker Street, 3rd Floor, TriBeCa, Manhattan
What: Toyin Ojih Odutola Ile Oriaku
When: May 6 – July 18, 2025
Where: Jack Shainman Gallery, 46 Lafayette Street, TriBeCa, Manhattan
What: Amy Sherald American Sublime
When: April 9 - August 10, 2025
Where: Whitney Museum of American Art, 5th Floor, 99 Gansevoort Street, Meatpacking District, Manhattan
Rashid Johnson - A Poem for Deep Thinkers at The Guggenheim
The Guggenheim
What: Salman Toor Wish Maker
When: May 1 - June 21, 2025
Where: Luhring Augustine Chelsea & Tribeca Locations,
531 West 24th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan | 17 White Street, Tribeca, Manhattan
What: Yu Nishimura Clearing Unfolds
When: April 24 - June 27, 2025
Where: David Zwirner, 34 East 69th Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan
What: Pablo Picasso Tête-à-tête
When: April 18 - July 3, 2025
Where: Gagosian, 980 Madison Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
What: Rashid Johnson A Poem for Deep Thinkers
When: April 18 – January 18, 2026
Where: Guggenheim, 1071 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
What: The Frick Collection, Renovation and Enhancement, Mansion's Second Floor
When: Ongoing
Where: The Frick Collection, 1 E 70th Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan
What: John Singer Sargent, Sargent and Paris
When: April 27 – August 3, 2025
Where: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
