Balustrade, Hydrangea and Lavender: Elizabeth Street Garden, watercolor and Inktense pencils, 5.125” x 11”, 2024
Rarely does it occur to me to ask the Universe for a miracle; as it happens, I had done just that on Sunday evening. Yesterday, Monday morning, when I opened my emails, I discovered that the Elizabeth Street Garden, which many citizens have been attempting for years to save from the city's wrecking ball, has been saved. I think this was my miracle, and, as with miracles in general, we never know what form they might take. I am deeply appreciative of all the individual and collective efforts to locate alternative sites on which to build affordable housing that will allow the city to fulfill some of its other responsibilities to older New Yorkers while preserving this magical space. As of this writing, it’s my understanding that plans are being laid to create 620 new units of affordable housing on three other sites in lower Manhattan.
June 23rd, 2025: Supporters celebrate preservation of the garden (above and right)
Here are links to some of the press coverage of this decision, which will explain more clearly and completely than I can just what has been at stake: The New York Times, Gothamist, CBS News, NY Post
Since last year I have been making images – paintings, photographs, even monotypes – based on aspects of this urban oasis. A particular favorite feature is one of a pair of stone lions flanking the main gravel path; his supporting plinth and he are dressed in a copious but deciduous vine that turns orange in autumn and dies back until the following spring. He was strictly vine-outlined during the winter, but, finally, this spring, his dress outdid itself, thanks to great weather conditions. Currently his vine so enfolds him as to make it unclear whether he's vegetable or mineral in nature.
Left: Lion in Summer Dress, Elizabeth Street Garden, watercolor, 28.5” x 21.5, 2024
Below, from left to right: Lion in Autumn Dress, Lion in Winter Dress, Lion in Spring Dress, all watercolor, 2025
The tentative outcome of this struggle over land use has triggered my memories of a similar struggle geographically close to the Elizabeth Street Garden, over the former garden of a man we knew as Adam Purple, whom I remember seeing riding around on his purple bicycle. He created an extensive garden of edible and decorative vegetation designed around concentric circles. In that case, the practical needs for affordable housing prevailed over the need for green spaces. The site of what was the garden is now occupied by a lackluster, but serviceable, low-rise housing development on Forsyth street, dating from the 1980s.
Balcony View with Balustrades, Elizabeth Street Garden,
monotype and Inktense pencils
2/2, 10” x 8”, 2024
Hebe, Cupbearer to the Gods, Elizabeth Street Garden,
monotype and Inktense pencils,
1/2, 8” x 10”, 2024
Central Gravel Path, Elizabeth Street Garden, watercolor,
11” x 11”, 2024
A percentage of all sales of my art based on the garden will be donated to its support. Direct donations to the garden may be made through the garden's website: https://www.elizabethstreetgarden.com/donate
Thinking Woman communing with her muse
Note from Bond Street Studio
I offer small-group watercolor classes in my studio on Mondays 12 noon - 3:00 pm and Wednesday afternoons 2 - 5:00 pm. There are currently two open spaces in the studio; call 212-464-7519 or email: aescart@aol.com if interested.
