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Step 1
Check the web. Just about every gallery in the city has a website. On their website is one of the only places where the opening reception info is listed. There are also e-newsletters like flavorpill that list their picks for the week.
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Step 2
Take a walk. On any given night, there's usually an opening somewhere. The most densely populated gallery neighborhood is Chelsea. Try walking down the streets between 10th and 11th avenue in the 20's and look for open galleries. Gallery openings happen after normal gallery hours. Most are between 6-8pm.
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Step 3
Once you're in, head to the bar. Usually it's just wine, but it's free and may give you a deeper understanding of an abstract painting. You can usually get two or three drinks from the bar, but space it out. Try to alternate between bartenders and be polite. Tipping is unnecessary.
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Step 4
Meet the artist. A lot of times the artist will be present at the opening for their show. It can be hard to spot them if you don't know what you're looking for. Oftentimes, their will be a group of people who form a circle talking to an artist. Look for these circles and listen. The conversations you here will tip you off. A good way in is to ask a question about a particular piece you like. Flattery will get you everywhere!
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Step 5
Art collectors often attend openings to buy work. Strike up a conversation with a witty comment or question. Collectors like to debate, and who knows where the conversation may lead.
Comments
cruzanmo said
on 7/29/2009 A great resource not listed here is www.artcards.cc -- it lists all the art openings and events in New York with times and addresses.