The Big Draw Festival 2026
24 Oct 2026
| Dates | Saturday 24 October |
|---|---|
| Times | 10:00am - 3:00pm | Ipswich Art Workshop & Ipswich Community Gallery Costumed Life Drawing Drop-in Sessions: Between 10:30am - 12:30pm and 12:30pm - 2:30 pm |
| Cost | FREE! |
| Booking | RSVP BELOW |
| Age | This event is suitable for all ages and all materials will be supplied! Feel free to bring your own sketchbook or drawing supplies to join in on the fun. |
'Make a Mark' with Studio Maverik as part of the world's biggest celebration of drawing!
The Big Draw Festival is held worldwide every year to celebrate the universal language of drawing. Join in a range of fun, creative drawing activities for all ages - absolutely no experience necessary!
This year's event is held in partnership with Studio Maverik, a community-focused and inclusive pop-up art studio. Celebrate drawing as process and not as product with this year's Big Draw theme, Make a Mark. Through a series of relaxed, experimental, and exciting drawing activations - explore the expressive power of mark-making to connect with ourselves and the world around us.
The Big Draw: Make a Mark champions drawing as a vital learning process that is open and accessible to all. Come draw, experiment, and kick-start your creativity among fellow drawing enthusiasts!
When: Saturday 24 October 2026
Time: 10am - 3pm
Costumed Life Drawing Sessions : Drop-in between 10:30am - 12:30pm & 12:30pm - 2:30 pm
Where: Ipswich Art Workshop and Ipswich Community Gallery
(based in d’Arcy Doyle Place)
Cost: FREE! | RSVP NOW
Activities:
Costumed Life Drawing:
Draw from a costumed life model in the Ipswich Community Gallery, with playful prompts inviting both children and adults to experiment with gesture, observation and mark-making.
Communal Still Life Drawing:
Draw together on a shared paper surface, inspired by a series of brilliant and beautiful objects, creating one large, collaborative still life.
Colourful Still Life exploration:
Draw from a series of fun, fruit-and-object installations, using coloured paper and markers to create your wonderfully creative scene.
Drop-in and explore our upcoming exhibitions:
Grab a pencil and Big Draw Gallery guide from the front desk to 'draw together' with friends and family.
Image Courtesy of the artists, Studio Maverik.
Studio Maverik
Studio Maverik is a community-focused and inclusive pop-up art studio. They welcome and encourage all people to attend their events - to chat, draw, and connect in a vibrant and welcoming space.
See more on their website.
Where is the Ipswich Art Workshop?
The Art Workshop is located in d’Arcy Doyle Place in a separate building to the Ipswich Art Gallery. The closest entrance is via Limestone & Nicholas Streets. Located next to the Ipswich Community Gallery.