Photography, Flowers, and Fashion: These Are The Coolest Art Exhibits in NYC Right Now

Get some culture at these art exhibitions currently open across the city.

"Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys" at the Brooklyn Museum
"Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys" at the Brooklyn Museum | Photo by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for Thrillist
"Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys" at the Brooklyn Museum | Photo by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for Thrillist

New York City is for art lovers. From renowned behemoths like the The American Museum of Natural History and The Metropolitan Museum of Art to an impressive crew of underrated hidden gems, art is as accessible as street meat is from the hot dog carts lining Museum Mile.

Although there’s something to be said for dropping by galleries or museums on a whim, we favor going into our creative explorations with a plan. Florals for spring? A history lesson on queer public spaces? Are statement sleeves ever not in? Explore these topics and more at these cool new exhibits in NYC.

"The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion" at the New York Botanical Garden
"The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion" at the New York Botanical Garden | Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden

Art Exhibits in The Bronx

February 17–April 21
Bronx Park
As is an annual tradition, The Orchid Show has returned to NYC’s very own tropical oasis, The New York Botanical Garden. In its 21st rendition, the focus of this year’s exhibition is centered around florals in fashion. Set along the Botanical Garden’s stunning displays of orchids are floral-inspired garments from emerging NYC-based designers like Hillary Taymour, Olivia Cheng, and Kristen Alpaugh.

A photograph by Daniel Arsham displayed within the "Daniel Arsham: Phases" exhibition
A photograph by Daniel Arsham displayed within the "Daniel Arsham: Phases" exhibition | Photo courtesy of Fotografiska New York

Art Exhibits in Manhattan

February 23–June 9
Murray Hill
For many of us, childhood characters like Peter Rabbit and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle hold a special place in our hearts. The creative mind behind these beloved characters is author, illustrator, and nature conservationist Beatrix Potter. In celebration of her lasting impact, The Morgan Library and Museum delves into Potter’s whimsical worlds through a selection of her artwork, books, manuscripts, and artifacts.

March 22–June 15
Flatiron
Having made a name for himself across the country for his sculpture and design, artist Daniel Arsham now expands his portfolio by leaning into a new medium. Arsham’s first photography exhibition, titled Daniel Arsham: Phases, can be found at Manhattan’s Fotografiska New York museum. The gallery spaces contain mainly black-and-white photographs of both rural and urban environments taken during Arsham’s travels. The images portray scenes varying from skylines and landscapes to intimate human connections.

Photograph by Phyllis Christopher of the Klitz Sex Club in San Francisco shown at the Museum of Sex
Photograph by Phyllis Christopher of the Klitz Sex Club in San Francisco shown at the Museum of Sex | Photo courtesy of the Museum of Sex

October 12, 2023–April 14, 2024
NoMad
Since opening in 2002, The Museum of Sex has commanded a lauded reputation for its progressive and eye opening exhibitions on human sexuality. Currently on deck at the museum until April is an intimate and historical exhibition on how queer public spaces came to be, their significant roles in sexual exploration and freedom, how they have evolved over the past five decades, and the importance of such spaces for the queer community. Throughout the space, peruse a wide display of photography, drawings, sculpture, and other mixed media.

January 24–August 25
Chelsea
The only museum solely dedicated to fashion in NYC can be found on the Fashion Institute of Technology campus in Manhattan. Known for letting fashion lovers explore carefully curated galleries of garments and accessories, curious minds can now dive into the history and fluctuating trend of puffs, ruffles, and more at the Statement Sleeves exhibition. More than 60, eye-catching pieces—tracing back to the 18th century—in varying colors, shapes, and sizes are on display.

Toshiko Takaezu with her stoneware pots in Hawaii in 1987
Toshiko Takaezu with her stoneware pots in Hawaii in 1987 | Photo courtesy of the Noguchi Museum, Photo by Macario Timbal

Art Exhibits in Queens

March 20–July 28
Astoria
A thoughtful, posthumous commemoration of ceramicist and painter Toshiko Takaezu will debut at the Noguchi Museum on March 20, which would have been Takaezu’s 100th birthday. The exhibition contains more than 200 of the artist’s works like large, glazed stoneware moons, trees, and garden seats, as well as expressive acrylic paintings. The Noguchi Museum, open to the public since 1985, was conceived, designed, built, and opened by artist Isamu Noguchi himself to display his own work, making it the first of its kind in the U.S.

"Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys" exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum
"Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys" exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum | Photo by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for Thrillist

Art Exhibits in Brooklyn

February 10–July 7
Prospect Heights
This exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum is a celebration of Blackness and an ode to living life monumentally. Directly sourced from the personal collection of New York natives, illustrious artists, and married couple Alicia Keys and Kasseem Dean (aka Swizz Beatz), Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys is a showcase of artwork by Black American, African, and African diasporic artists. With the help of 98 pieces of artwork by more than 40 creatives, the theme of giants is represented in multiple ways throughout the exhibition—the works on display are monumental in size and are the creations of big-name talents.

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Izzy Baskette is a Staff Writer for Thrillist New York. Talk to her at ibaskette@thrillist.com or find her on Instagram.