The Big Draw - October 13, 2008
If you are a fan of the arts or a lover of community events, mark your calendars now! The Big Draw is coming to Hays on Monday, October 13, 2008.
Hosted by the Fort Hays State University drawing students, the Big Draw is an annual, international event that originated in Great Britain and is held throughout the month of October. It is used as a way to promote drawing in local communities through interactive projects that help not only beautify the community, but also inspire others to use their creativity in their own lives.
“Since I teach drawing, I thought incorporating this activity into my classes as a service learning and community art project would be a ton of fun,” explained Amy Schmierbach, Associate Professor of Art at FHSU. “Focusing one whole day to just drawing techniques will promote drawing awareness in our community. Drawing is usually thought of as a private exploration of expression for the artist and many people think that drawings are only found in sketchbooks or framed under glass, but drawing can be so much more!”
As part of the event, the FHSU drawing students will be hosting a variety of projects throughout the day that the whole community is invited to participate in, with several of those projects taking place in the downtown Chestnut Street District.
The first project, Sidewalk Chalk Mandala Drawings, will take place from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on the FHSU Quad, in Union Pacific Park at the intersection of 10th and Main in downtown Hays and in the parking lot of the Hays Mall, 2938 Vine Street. The Mandala drawings, which originated in Hindu tradition, are meant to link both the artist and the viewer to a higher sense of unity with the universe. All members of the community are invited to come to any of the three locations and contribute their own drawing to this historic art form.
The next project for the Big Draw will be the FHSU Drawing Field Day, taking place from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the FHSU Quad. Both the young and old alike are invited to come take part in a number of activities designed to bring the kid out in anyone.
The final activity for the day will be the Community Collaborative Drawing Project from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main. The whole community is invited to come create a collaborative masterpiece in a game of artistic musical chairs where participants will exchange drawings to create multi-artist compositions. The paper and charcoal used for this event will be provided, as well as live music and refreshments.
Although the actual event will only take place for one day on October 13, a lot the artwork created during the Big Draw will be showcased long after. As part of the event, there will be a Big Draw Art Exhibition beginning October 31 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and lasting until November 21 in the basement of Café Semolino, 110 West 11th Street. Community members will be able to view drawings and photo documentation of all the Big Draw events and frame-sized drawings and photos will be for sale. All the profits from the sold artwork will be used to bring visiting artists to the FHSU campus.
“It is my hope that the students as well as the community will broaden their definition of drawing,” explained Amy. “By bringing these activities into the community, students will learn the importance of public art, community service and collaboration. Art is for everyone, not just the trained artist and everyone is invited to participate!”
Scroll down to look at pictures from past Big Draw events, both nationally and internationally.
