Craig Starr runs one of the most disciplined programs in the city — one tightly argued show at a time, in a townhouse where nothing competes for your attention — and this one goes back to Don Nice before anyone knew what a Don Nice looked like. The years from 1963 to 1968 are where the deadpan American object-painting he became known for was still being assembled. A twenty-minute detour to see an artist's engine before the bodywork went on.
What to expect
A small, quiet townhouse gallery a few steps off Madison Avenue, with a single focused hang of early paintings. There is usually a short scholarly handout rather than extensive wall text. Expect a calm, uncrowded room and staff willing to talk about the period.
Good to know
- Take the 6 to 77th Street or the Q to 72nd Street and walk toward Madison Avenue
- Free to enter; ring the bell if the door is closed
- Upper East Side galleries generally keep weekday hours in summer — confirm before you go
- Easy to pair with a Central Park walk or a Museum Mile stop
- The gallery occupies a converted townhouse; ask ahead about step-free access
- It is a compact show — twenty minutes is enough
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Common questions
Who was Don Nice?
An American painter associated with Pop-adjacent realism, known for large-scale depictions of consumer objects and North American animals.
What period does the show cover?
His early production from 1963 through 1968, before the large hard-edged works he became best known for.
Does it cost anything?
No — Craig Starr Gallery is a commercial gallery with free admission.
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