karen logan: draw derby

In January 2022 I shared my Draw Derby idea and invited people to participate in a monthly outdoor gathering for anyone who wanted to draw in Derby City Centre. Draw Derby holds a space to inhabit the city in a quietly powerful way, to be still, observe and draw together, meeting likeminded others in the process. Draw Derby gatherings are free.

We use the city as easel and inspiration: benches, bollards and planters become supports for sketchbooks. We meet in the same place at the same time each month and experience a familiar and different city - we witness and record change.

Draw Derby provides a time, date and meeting place and the rest is up to the individual - what their mornings focus is, what they draw with, how they draw. We all draw, no-one teaches, beginner and experienced drawing together. At the close of the two hours we visit a local independent cafe and share work (if people want to - no pressure).

It's touching to witness Draw Derby embraced by so many and an honour to observe the impact that committing to regular drawing has on participants lives. As of May 2024 Draw Derby has welcomed 90 participants who have made 423 visits to Derby Market Place and venues in the city centre and beyond.

Please note:

December 2024 will be my final Draw Derby as creator/host/organiser, I'm stepping back after 3 years as I need to focus on paid work. My ambitions for Draw Derby were bigger than I've been able to facilitate - I had hoped to run drawing workshops and put on an participatory exhibition in an empty shop in Derby city centre BUT support/funding has not been forthcoming. It's been a tough decision but 3 years is a good run.

A group of DD regulars will be taking Draw Derby forward into 2025, same name, same time, same place!

2022