Long known as part of the industrial underbelly of New York City, Long Island City in the borough of Queens is today recognized for its rapid and ongoing residential growth, its waterfront parks, and its thriving arts community. Students from the Honors College of SUNY Old Westbury spent last Friday exploring the cultural and scenic amenities of the region as one of the co-curricular activities developed by Honors College Director Anthony DeLuca.
Taking advantage of a cool, dry February Friday, the group visited the Noguchi Museum, an institution dedicated to displaying the works of internationally renowned American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988). Then, it was off to the piers of Gantry State Park, a 12-acre oasis along the East River that boasts spectacular views of the midtown Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building and the United Nations. The day ended with a group lunch of Japanese cuisine and then a ride back to campus.
Dr. DeLuca already has another Queens-based trip on the Honors College planning board, with likely visits to the PS 1 MOMA gallery, the Museum of the Moving Image, and the Socrates Sculpture Park.
