The Big Draw Festival 2018 Launch Partners Announced

Art in Liverpool and National Museums Liverpool will join The Big Draw as launch partners of The International Big Draw Festival 2018, it has been announced, today.

Free and open to the public, the launch event at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool will present a packed programme of drawing activities that invite visitors to let loose, embrace happy accidents, discovery, and most importantly to have fun!

The launch event will take place from 1-4pm on Saturday 29^th September, and will mark the start of a month-long international festival celebrating the importance of drawing and play.

Kate Mason, Director of The Big Draw said:

‘I am delighted to announce that Art in Liverpool and National Museums Liverpool will be partnering with The Big Draw to host the launch of The Big Draw Festival 2018 and Awards Ceremony at The Walker Art Gallery.

The launch will be the first of hundreds of drawing events taking place across the globe throughout the month of October as part of the festival.

This year, we will be celebrating the importance of Play!, and we encourage people of every age, background and artistic ability to join us on the day, register their own event as part of the festival, or to check The Big Draw web map to find an event near them.’

Founded in 2000, The Big Draw Festival is an international month-long celebration of drawing, which will take place from 1-31 October, this year. For kids and big kids alike, The Big Draw Festival 2018 will be a foray into the world of ‘Play!’ – this year’s festival theme.

Patrick Kirk-Smith, Director of Art in Liverpool said:

‘We’re thrilled to be welcoming The Big Draw to Liverpool to coincide with Independents Biennial 2018. Both festivals in 2018 are inviting artists and audiences to test and play with new ideas, new materials and new spaces.

Walker Art Gallery is the perfect setting for this international festival launch Working as a creative centre for one day only, Independents Biennial artists, John Ruskin Prize winners and playful sketchers come together to respond to the Walker’s collections for a day of drawing right through the galleries.’

Angelica Vanasse, Education Manager for the Walker Art Gallery, part of National Museums Liverpool said:

‘We are thrilled to be partnering with The Big Draw to host the launch of the festival and their annual awards ceremony. Liverpool is a city bursting with culture and we are home to some fantastic arts venues, including the Walker Art Gallery.

“One of our main purposes is to inspire our visitors with the beautiful works of art on display, and our regular programme of activities for people of all ages encourages visitors to get involved and try their hand at creating artwork. Hosting the Big Draw launch will be a fantastic addition to the weekend on 29 September.’

Also taking place of the evening of the launch event will be The Big Draw Awards Ceremony; a private, annual event celebrating the organisers of the most imaginative and engaging events from the previous year’s festival.

All registered organisers of The Big Draw Festival events can apply for an award. This year’s Big Draw Award winners include: Stanley Grove Primary Academy, Criftins CE Primary School, Riverside International School, Young Animators Club, Royal Society of Sculptors, Claire Davenhall, Redlees Studios, The Drawing Circus, and the Education Department at HM Prison Lewes.

The Big Draw Festival Awards 2017/18 are supported by: Cass Art, Simon’s Group, The Arts Society, Fabriano, and Marmalade on Toast.