visitors at a drop-in-drawing session in the Jeffrey Gibson Like a Hammer Exhibition

Flex Your Creative Muscles & Have Fun at Drop-In Drawing

By Carleen Brice

Carleen Brice is an award-winning author and Associate Director of Content at the DAM.

It's never too late to rediscover what you loved to do years ago or to learn something totally new.

– Student at a Drop-In Drawing class

Looking for a creative outlet? Join instructor Anna Kaye online for Drop-In Drawing sessions on the second Tuesday of each month.

Anna asked students at a couple of her past sessions why they come to her drop-in sessions and what advice they have for others looking to rekindle a creative spark. Read what they had to say below (and see some of their great work!), and then we hope we'll see you at the next Drop-In Drawing.

Why Attend Drop-In Drawing?

  • "Drawing is an extension of my being...I always feel more whole after an art session. I've been participating in Drop-In Drawing for more than three years."
  • "[It's] a wonderful opportunity to become inspired and learn new artistic techniques."
  • "It is the most relaxing but engaging time of the month."
  • "I love Drop-In Drawing and how it causes us to get out of the artists' ruts we may get into."
  • "It's really fun."
  • "It was great to sit and spend time with a single artwork."
  • "[To] interact with other creative people. It's a place to flex my drawing muscles."
a woman holding a drawing of Shiva she drew in the Linking Asia exhibition

Katherine Wang taking inspiration from Shiva Nataraja in the exhibition Linking Asia: Art, Trade & Devotion. Photo by Anna Kaye.

man holding up a drawing at a drop-in class in the Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer exhibition

Ed Narvaez. Photo by Anna Kaye. Gallery view of Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer.

a woman holding up a drawing in the exhibition Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer

Jean Sidinger. Photo by Anna Kaye. Gallery view of Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer.

drawing of a poster with a red elephant on it in the Stampede exhibition

Drawing by Sashi Sarvananda, pastel on paper. Photo by Anna Kaye. Kiyoshi Kanai, Don't Buy Ivory, 1989. Offset lithograph; 40-1/2 x 28-3/4 in. Denver Art Museum: AIGA Design Archives: Gift of AIGA, 2007.6171. Image courtesy of AIGA Design Archives. On view in Stampede: Animals in Art.

photo of a drawing of a dog statute by a student at a drop-in drawing class in Stampede

Drawing by William Wise. Photo by Anna Kaye. Unknown Artist, Standing Dog, Comala style (State of Colima, Western Mexico, Mexico), about 300 B.C.–A.D. 300. Slip-painted ceramic; 10 1/2 x 8 x 16 inches. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Laurence DiRosario, 1970.292. On view in Stampede: Animals in Art.

2 women in the Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer exhibition

Sisters in Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer. Photo by Anna Kaye.

a drop in drawing student holding a drawing in the Jim Howard exhibition

Drawing by Sharmini Sarvananda of a drawing by Jim Howard, in the exhibition Drawn to Glamour: Fashion Illustrations by Jim Howard. Photo by Anna Kaye.

a drawing by Janet Woelfle in the Jim Howard exhibition

Drawing by Janet Woelfle in the exhibition Drawn to Glamour: Fashion Illustrations by Jim Howard. Photo by Anna Kaye.

a woman holding a drawing of Shiva she drew in the Linking Asia exhibition
man holding up a drawing at a drop-in class in the Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer exhibition
a woman holding up a drawing in the exhibition Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer
drawing of a poster with a red elephant on it in the Stampede exhibition
photo of a drawing of a dog statute by a student at a drop-in drawing class in Stampede
2 women in the Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer exhibition
a drop in drawing student holding a drawing in the Jim Howard exhibition
a drawing by Janet Woelfle in the Jim Howard exhibition

Tips for Boosting Creativity?

  • "Don't be afraid—mistakes are not real—they are learning experiences."
  • "Buy supplies at a second-hand store and use lots of scrap paper—then don't feel intimidated to experiment."
  • "Try a group like Drop-In Drawing! You will gain practice, meet like-minded people, and explore new materials and techniques."
  • "They say it is good for our brains to do something we are not already good at. The fun outweighs the fears of not being good enough or looking foolish."
  • "Maintain your sense of wonder."
  • "Be fearless and have fun. [Create] what you want to see without thinking what others might want."

Details

  • Drop-In Drawing is a free online course.
  • No experience necessary.
  • For additional information, email dschulz@denverartmuseum.org or call 720-913-0000.