Urban Sketchers (USk) is a global community of artists that practice drawing on location in cities, towns and villages they live in or travel to. The movement was started on Flickr in 2007 by a Spanish journalist and illustrator living in Seattle. There are now groups of Urban Sketchers throughout the world – including in Aotearoa (Auckland and Taupō).
Informal groups of people that are keen to sketch with others gather at a specified spot and start drawing whatever appeals to them in whatever style they favour. Urban Sketchers provides an opportunity to work alongside others, see their work and create a sense of community. The sketches can be shared online and are often accompanied by stories providing a background for the work.
Creative Bay of Plenty has been approached by someone who is keen to establish a local group of Urban Sketchers. He has asked us to test the level of interest within the community of being part of a group like this – seeing ‘our world’, one drawing at a time. Everyone from beginners to well established artists will be welcome. The time of day that the group will gather can be during the week, at the weekend, from early in the morning until into the evening – this is determined by the group.
If you are interested in connecting up to sketch outdoors with others, email annie@creativebop.org.nz.
