If you live in New York, then I’d recommend avoiding the major museums during Christmas week. They will be very crowded with holiday visitors, making art viewing a real challenge. Instead, use the week to go visit some Chelsea galleries. There are some great shows on and these spaces won’t be jam-packed. Here are some suggestions:

Picasso & Jacqueline: The Evolution of Style – featuring nearly 140 works by Pablo Picasso. These were created during the last two decades of his life while living with Jacqueline Roque; first his “muse,” and eventually his wife.  Pace  Gallery 534 West 25th Street, through January 10, 2015.

Picasso & The Camera  – explores Picasso’s  use of photography as both an inspiration and as an integral part of his studio practice. Spanning sixty years, the show includes many photographs taken by Picasso but never before seen or published. The Gagosian Gallery, 522 West 21st through January 3, 2015.

Maira Kalman, My Favorite Things – selected gouache paintings in conjunction with her curated show Maira Selects, an inaugural exhibition at the newly renovated Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Julie Saul Gallery 535 West 22nd Street., through February 7, 2015.

Robert Motherwell: Works on Paper 1951- 1991 – exploring four decades of the artist’s work in collages, drawings, and paintings.  Paul Kasmin Gallery, 515 West 27th Street through January 3, 2015.

“Shadowland,” Diana Copperwhite – abstract paintings by this Irish painter on view at 532 Gallery Thomas Jaeckel, 532 West 25th Street, through January 10, 2015.

“On the Benefits of Delayed Gratification” –  group exhibition with artists Mikkel Carl, Steven Cox, and Russell Tyler. At the Ana Cristea Gallery, 521 West 26th Street through January 31, 2015.

Portraits Kit –  Colorful portraits and self-portraits in different mediums, by Argentinian artist Julio Alan Lepez. At the Artemisa Gallery, 530 West 25th, through January 27, 2015.

Gallery List

Gagosian Gallery 522 West 21st

Julie Saul Gallery 535 West 22nd

Artemisa Gallery 530 West 25th

532 Gallery 532 West 25th

Pace Gallery 534 West 25th

Ana Cristea Gallery 521 West 26th

Paul Kasmin Gallery 515 West 27th