Drawing is a universal language, connecting generations, cultures, and communities. Children draw to make sense of the world before they learn to write. Yet most adults, given a pencil, claim: “I can’t draw!” The Big Draw aims to create opportunities for people of all ages to discover that drawing can make us SEE, THINK, and INVENT. The 2010 Big Draw L.A. was the first event of its kind on the West Coast and was inspired by the wildly popular Big Draw in London.
The Big Draw LA is committed to promoting inclusiveness and offering a diversity of drawing experiences. Presenting organizations will register events open to the public online at www.thebigdrawla.org. Schools and classrooms can create events targeted at their school or local communities as well.
Following The Big Draw L.A., presenting organizations may apply for the Drawing Inspiration Award (awarded to multiple organizations) that honors outstanding The Big Draw L.A. activities, big and small. Learn more and join in.” title=”Big Draw events sched” target=”_blank”>Check out the over 40 events already registered for the 2011 Big Draw!
The Big Draw was started in the UK in 2000 by the Guild of St. George, a non-profit founded by 19th century artist, critic, and educator John Ruskin. Now led by the Campaign for Drawing in London, the aim is to raise awareness of drawing’s power as tool for learning, observation, creativity, and social and cultural engagement. The Big Draw is an annual, month-long season of drawing activities. Event organizers use drawing, painting and a multitude of other media to connect people with museum and gallery collections, urban and rural spaces—and the wider community—in new and enjoyable ways. In 2009, over 1,300 Big Draws took place across the UK and internationally. From London to Budapest to Melbourne, people of all ages came together at galleries, museums (e.g., Victoria & Albert, British Museum), heritage sites (Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace), parks (London Zoo), churches, libraries, schools, businesses (Bank of England), even the Underground, to participate in a range of drawing-related activities.
