Westbeth Inner Courtyard

Join expert Miriam Chaiken for an exploration into the history of this iconic artist residence in New York City’s West Village

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The 92nd Street Y
New York City

Online course $120 – register here

The Westbeth building claims both Albert Einstein and Vin Diesel as contributors to its storied legacy — Gloria Steinem, Alan Turing, and Keith Haring, as well. Occupying a full city block in Manhattan’s West Village, this brick complex housed Bell Laboratories during its first life, a triumphant artists’ community in its second, and a nexus for innovation during both.

Miriam Chaiken
Dean Emeritus of the Conroy Honors College and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at New Mexico State University

Three members of Miriam Chaiken’s family were long-time residents of the Westbeth Artists’ Residence in the West Village, which opened doors when she turned her anthropological gaze to this community. After three decades of research in villages in sub-Saharan Africa, she realized that Westbeth is a vertical village, with all the drama and intrigue of any village. Her presentations will recount the history of the Westbeth building, and even more focus on the intriguing characters that called Westbeth home. She is Dean Emeritus of the Conroy Honors College and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at New Mexico State University.

Part 1: Creative Ozone
April 19, 2023 Wednesday 2:30- 4:00PM

Explore the history of the building and the hundreds of technological advances that were pioneered there under the residency of Bell Labs. The innovation continued as fledgling architect Richard Meier (who would later design the Getty Center in LA) repurposed the building into housing and studio space for 400 artists, marking the first conversion of an industrial space into residential lofts in the US.

Part 2: You Say You Want a Revolution
April 26, 2023 Wednesday 2:30 – 4:00pm

The pioneering first generation of Westbeth artists helped shape the creative world, but they also left a mark on the anti-Vietnam War and civil rights movements. Follow along as these activist-artists shape political discourse, intersecting with the likes of John Lennon, Andy Warhol, and Gloria Steinem.

Part 3: Art and Innovation
May 3, 2023 Wednesday 2:30 – 4:00pm

Get to know the famous and — and infamous — artists, performers, and writers who have called Westbeth home, from Pulitzer Prize winners to show stealers. How did they help shape the Westbeth community, and how did the Westbeth community shape them?

This is a live, virtual course hosted by Roundtable, which includes interactive opportunities and post-course recordings available for all course participants.

Purchase for $120.00