Since February 2012, Hallwalls has presented 22 drawing rallies (all LIVE except for two pandemic Zoom editions) featuring hundreds of regional artists drawing live in two 45 minute sessions, with 18 artists per session. The completed drawings are then made available for purchase via online bidding. Opening bids for all drawings remains $39.
The only problem with the drawing rally—and it\'s a good problem—is the intense enthusiasm of the participating artists. There is no shortage of artists willing and eager to participate. Some have done so many times and are always eager to do so again. (Only one—Alicia Paolucci—has participated in every drawing rally.) But each drawing rally—and this one is no exception—always includes entirely new artists who have never participated previously.
As curator John Massier explains:
\"I never have to do any convincing when inviting artists to participate in a drawing rally. They are always grateful to be asked. And, interestingly, no one really improvises—45 minutes goes really fast so even the most seasoned artists typically come in with a plan of what they will be drawing. Sometimes they\'ve even timed themselves and done practice drawings beforehand. Artists take this event seriously and everyone always steps up to the plate ready to go. Fun fact—when originally conceived, it was intended to happen once each year but the first event proved far too popular for both artists and audience, so we segued into a twice-yearly model.\"
There is never a theme—artists are let loose to draw whatever they choose. Pen, pencil, acrylic, marker—all drawing media are allowed, except oil paints. All drawings are accomplished on a 12 x 18 inch sheet of archival paper which Hallwalls provides. No preparatory marks are allowed until the clock begins. Reference photos, objects, or even models are allowed.
First session of drawing is 7:15 to 8pm. Second session of drawing is 8:15 to 9pm.
Bidding for all artworks begins when the event begins and will ONLY BE DONE ONLINE at draw.cbo.io. Bidding will continue for 26 hours through Thursday, March 30 at 9pm.
Cash bar. Music will be provided by drawing rally stalwarts abcdj.
