Gallery Guide is your source for updated art gallery listings.

Like Paris, Venice and Amsterdam, New York City is one of the capitals of the art world, and the city's many galleries feature everything from works by the great masters and the contemporary giants to pieces by young, unknown artists on the cutting edge. With a little knowledge and planning, an art lover visiting New York can tour the city's major art neighborhoods in one day or over many, seeing sculptures and paintings that range from the familiar to the innovative.

Tobi Kahn is an internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor. Since he was selected as one of nine artists to be included in the 1985 Guggenheim Museum exhibition, his work has been shown in over 40 solo exhibitions and 60 museum and groups shows. Since 1980, Kahn has been conducting tours of New York art galleries for art students, artists and art enthusiasts. Here he offers his personal guide to the New York art gallery scene:

• Gallery Guide. Many galleries and magazine sellers in New York offer a monthly publication called Gallery Guide, which lists art galleries and the kinds of work they show. The staff at any major gallery should also be able to answer your questions regarding where to go to see a specific style of art.

• Madison Ave. According to Kahn, Madison Avenue is the best bet for seeing the works of history's most famous artists. If you want to see paintings by the big names found in the textbooks, this is your place.

• 57th Street. If your tastes are more contemporary, and you want to see the best of the modern masters, then you should visit the galleries on 57th street.

• Chelsea. If you're in the mood to check out the up-and-comers and possibly see the works of artists on the cusp of fame and fortune, Kahn suggests a trip to Chelsea. Here you'll find trendy, upscale galleries with a mix of new, lesser-known artists and established contemporary artists.

• Williamsburg. Finally, Williamsburg is the place to go to visit funky, low-rent galleries that don't need to pay the bills by showing mainstream works. These spaces are often divided between galleries and studios, and feature experimental work by unknowns. There's often the risk that you'll see nothing that interests you, but on the other hand you just may find an undiscovered genius.

For more information on New York art galleries, check out the following organizations and websites:

Gallery Guide
www.galleryguide.org

Readio NY: Art Galleries
www.readio.com/newyorkartgalleries

NY Artguide
www.nyartguide.net

Chelsea Galleries of New York City
www.geocities.com/gallerylinks.html