SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S LARGEST PUBLIC DRAWING EVENT RETURNS TO LOS ANGELES

Drawing isn’t just for artists – it’s for everyone. That’s the mantra for The Big Draw LA, Southern California’s largest public drawing event, which is returning to Los Angeles for the entire month of October. Ryman Arts is the nonprofit organization that has presented The Big Draw LA for the past five years.

“The Big Draw LA represents much more than just a drawing event,” says Ryman Arts’ Executive Director, Diane Brigham. “The concept behind this movement is to encourage community participation, inspire creativity, and improve the vitality and vibrancy of our communities by leveraging the power of art and creative placemaking.”

The month-long, hands-on The Big Draw LA artistic celebration is comprised of individual events hosted by community-based organizations throughout Southern California, each of which encourages the public to come together and draw, regardless of age or skill level.

“By bringing the community together in a public forum where they can express their own unique creative ideas, we are able to create an opportunity for all of us to improve the physical and social character of our neighborhoods,” explains Brigham.

Kick-Off Event To Be Held October 3

The Big Draw LA will kick off on October 3 with a free community drawing workshop from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Maker City LA in downtown Los Angeles.

“Ryman Arts worked closely with The Reef, a creative habitat in downtown LA where Maker City LA is located, to create an immersive experience that will bring residents, friends, families, and community members together to celebrate the intrinsic value of art and creativity,” says Brigham.

The free event will offer a series of interactive and collaborative art projects. Noted Los Angeles artist and Ryman Arts faculty member Robin Palanker will also lead a fun hands-on drawing session suitable for all ages.

Central Flagship Event To Take Place In Grand Park On October 18

Following the kick-off, Los Angeles nonprofit Ryman Arts will hold a central flagship event for The Big Draw LA movement called “Mark Your Mark in the Park.”

On Sunday, October 18, 2015, the public will gather from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Los Angeles Grand Park between Hill & Broadway to take part in a free collective drawing experience.

“Our collaborative drawing event will transform Grand Park into an experimental drawing studio, fostering community participation and arts engagement throughout Los Angeles,” explains Brigham. “By bringing the community together on such a large scale, we will be able to demonstrate the impact that art can have on a community and communicate the important message that art is for everyone.”

Other Big Draw LA Events

A series of drawing activities will take place throughout the month of October, hosted by community-based organizations throughout the region. Community members can find a schedule of The Big Draw LA events or register their own at http://thebigdrawla.org/.

Events will be held in a variety of venues throughout the Los Angeles area, including parks, museums, and neighborhoods, as well as many other unique locations throughout the region. Many Big Draw LA events are free to the public, and participants are invited to attend scheduled events and/or host their own drawing events in celebration of this drawing movement.

The Big Draw LA celebration is connected to the global The Big Draw initiative, which spans more than 20 countries, each hosting events during the month of October. This global movement encourages visual literacy and demonstrates the concept that drawing is for everyone.

Since its inception in 1990, Ryman Arts has engaged over 6,000 Southern California teens in its core fine arts studio program. This vibrant community of culturally diverse teens comes from over 150 neighborhoods across the region.

In its two decades, Ryman Arts has evolved into a national model for transforming the lives and futures of young artists. A non-profit organization, Ryman Arts is funded by individuals, foundations, corporate supporters, and government agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information please visit www.rymanarts.org or call 213-629-2787.