From 1-31 October 2010, thousands of children and adults across England will arm themselves with pencils, paints and paper to take part in the Campaign for Drawing’s acclaimed annual festival, The Big Draw.
Participant at Drawn to Bankside © The Campaign For Drawing
With over 1,300 unique opportunities to get involved in drawing sessions, workshops and debates, organisers hope to promote skills and celebrate the skylines of England's cities.
According to Lord Foster, Founder Foster+Partners, and Patron of the Campaign for Drawing:
“Drawing is the root of every concept and design. It is a fundamental life skill. The Big Draw inspires people of all ages to engage with the world we inhabit and I hope that more people will rediscover the immediacy of the medium they relished as children.”
The 2010 Big Draw will culminate with the London highlight event, Make your Mark on the Future: from London Bridge to Tower Bridge, which takes place from 22-23 October.
Free drawing activities and masterclasses will be found at such landmarks as Southwark Cathedral and The Scoop at More London. The two-day extravaganza will encourage children and adults alike to see their city in a fresh way and to really examine the buildings and structures which surround them every day. Educators are invited to get involved in the pre-event school programme, which will offer workshops, visits and drawing projects around the local area.
Drawing the Gherkin at Big Draw East in 2008 © The Campaign For Drawing
Engaging Places has pulled together a selection of Big Draw events happening across England to encourage the use of drawing in exploring spaces and places. New additions to the programme are arriving daily, so for the most up-to-date info, log onto the Campaign for Drawing website.
"Mapping London's future"
Add to a futuristic fantasy map of London inspired by the 'London Futures' exhibition and the hand-drawn maps collected by the Londonist website. The resulting work will be displayed on the Museum's website throughout October.
Museum of London. October 10, 11am - 4pm; all ages; FREE
"Illuminated Drawings"
Join in for a day of drawing in response to the architecture of St John on Bethnal Green and then see your drawings projected to illuminate the walls of this atmospheric John Soane building.
St John on Bethnal Green. October 9, 10am - 4pm; all ages; FREE
"Cityscapes - Make your mark on the future"
Help design the city of the future. Visitors will draw their idea of a futuristic building, park, bridge, mode of transport and more to add to the city display.
Forty Hall. October 10, 11am-4pm; all ages; FREE
"Drawing Rooms"
A workshop for budding young architects to get creative, combining drawing and a variety of modelling materials to turn 2D drawings into 3D models inspired by the designs of architect John Pawson.
Design Museum. October 10, 2pm-5pm; For children; £4 for kids, museum admission charge (£8.50) for adults.
"The Big Draw”
This year, the De La Warr Pavilion itself provides the canvas. Help artist Jane Henderson turn the building into a great big drawing as part of the Pavilion's 75th Anniversary celebrations.
De La Warr Pavilion. October 10, 11-4pm; all ages; FREE
This year the Architecture Centre and Arnolfini team up to host an exciting event for the Big Draw. Join in and creatively explore the theme of pavilions and temporary structures in a variety of mediums. What would you build?
Architecture Centre and Arnolfini. October 30, 12 - 4pm; all ages; FREE
Be inspired by your own city and help us ‘Mark Your Map’. Collect your map marking packs from Plymouth Arts Centre and walk and draw your way around Plymouth City Centre concluding with a market stall exhibition of your drawings at Plymouth City Market.
Architecture Centre Devon & Cornwall at Plymouth Arts Centre. October 2, 11am-4pm; all ages; FREE
"Creative Cityscapes - Levenshulme Festival"
Help to draw and build a city that surpasses all others in imagination and creativity. Through drawing, collage and sculpture, add to the skyline with your own architectural masterpiece.
Bankley Studios and Gallery. October 23, 12pm-4pm; all ages; FREE
These and more events are listed on the Campaign for Drawing website.
