The Big Draw reaches New York!

Somebody in the Drawing Center in New York has noticed the impact of "The Big Draw" (which goes on in the UK every October and which I wrote about in May) and has initiated a New York response

On Saturday 9th September, four venues in Lower Manhattan will provide an opportunity to draw. - or to view others participating in the projects.

This is what the relevant page on the Drawing Center website has to say

The Big Draw

Presented as part of Arts on the Horizon, a program of the River to River Festival

Saturday September 9, 11:00 AM

Inspired by the wildly popular program of the same name in the UK, The Big Draw will engage audiences of all ages in hands-on art projects. Pick up a free sketchbook and participate in artist-led drawing activities from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at the following fantastic Lower Manhattan venues:

Battery Park City Parks Conservancy's
Teardrop Park
Self-Guided Drawing 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Artist-Led Drawing 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Discover the natural secrets of this beautifully designed park through outdoor drawing explorations with artists Ellen Driscoll and Larry Dobens. Create an monumental Rorschach inkblot on a scroll unfurled in the park’s Grassy Bowl.

Teardrop Park, between Warren and Murray Streets, east of River Terrace, in Battery Park City

Smithsonian's
National Museum of the American Indian
Reading Circle (Ages 5+) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Artist-Led Drawing 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Experience the Museum's unique collection through a day of exciting drawing activities. Join a storybook reading circle and make drawings inspired by your own life. Gather in the light-filled Rotunda to create portraits with artist Jeffery Gibson.

George Gustav Heye Center, U.S. Custom House, One Bowling Green across from Battery Park

South Street Seaport Museum
11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Alongside the Museum's legendary sailing vessels, weave nautical rope into a giant drawing with artist Zoe Keramea. Celebrate the Seaport's rich history by making sketches and rubbings of the pier or craft scrimshaw like a sailor from long ago.

South Street Seaport, Pier 16, Fulton and South Streets

Winter Garden & Plaza
at the World Financial Center
11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Become part of Monika Weiss' large-scale public drawing performance beneath the Winter Garden's indoor palm tree grove. Outside, visit artist Fritz Welch and architect Matt Gagnon's kiosk, create blind drawings from memory, and tag the plaza and building with day-glo tape drawings.

Winter Garden & Plaza, Between Vesey and Liberty Streets, in Battery Park City

All events are free of charge.

Take the Downtown Connection to all four of The Big Draw events. The Downtown Connection is a FREE bus service provided by The Alliance for Downtown New York, connecting the South Street Seaport with Battery Park City, averaging 10-minute intervals between buses.

For more information about Arts on the Horizon and a map of venues, please visit www.RiverToRiverNYC.com.

Links:

• The Big Draw (UK) - this runs from 1-31 October 2006
• Making a Mark : The "Big Draw" 2006 (24 May 2006)
• The Drawing Center (New York)

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