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‘Nearby Nature’, ‘Pandemic Pets’, and ‘Kill It With Kindness’ are some of the themes islanders are being invited to tackle in a new 19-day drawing challenge.
Launched today, ArtHouse Jersey's project aims to get everyone’s creative juices flowing during lockdown.
The first challenge on the list is 'self (isolation) portrait'.
Throughout the challenge, ArtHouse Jersey will be sharing one of the nineteen topical themes designed around the current circumstances each day at 08:00 on their Instagram and Facebook pages, with the aim of inspiring islanders of all ages to pick up their drawing utensils and set to work.
CLICK on the image to discover the complete list of prompts.
Once the daily sketches are completed, participants are asked to share them on social media – ensuring the post is public - using the hashtags #19daydrawingchallenge and #isolationcreationjersey, and tagging @arthousejersey and @billwertram.
The ArtHouse team will then share a selection of the most unique or most entertaining amongst drawings created to celebrate the island’s shared creativity.
But the challenge is definitely not about “being the best drawer," as Tom Dingle, Director of ArtHouse Jersey, assured.
“If you’re terrible at drawing, great! This is for you,” he said. “Our aim is to get as many members of our community all drawing together, creating a sense of unity and social cohesion during this challenging time.”
Pictured: Local mixed media artist Will Bertram created the list of 19 prompts.
The themes, selected by local mixed media artist Will Bertram, aim to not only keep islanders inspired throughout the challenge, but also to give them the opportunity to quietly consider aspects of the island’s their temporary way of life.
Will himself is no stranger to drawing challenges. He drew inspiration from 'Inktober' – an annual challenge that takes place in October – and illustration collectives like @Shakebristol, to come up with the themes.
“I've included obvious references to our current situation, as well as some of the suggestions of how to make the most of social distancing or the suggested ways to calm our heightened anxieties,” he explained.
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Pictured: One of Will's sketches for a drawing challenge last year.
“I hope it encourages people to keep on creating or to try something new, and that it will form a bond between those who take part and can be a silver lining of social distancing.”
Like Tom, Will is urging all islanders, even those who don’t normally draw, to get involved.
“I think creativity is crucial during a crisis,” he said. “It can help us to come to terms with a situation, be a much-needed escape, or just be a bit of fun!”
“Without giving too much away, I think anyone taking part should take inspiration from what's available to them, and their current situation.”
“Everyone's had to adapt, sometimes in more extreme ways than others, but from that, there will be so many different interpretations of each day's challenge,” Will added.
“This is a chance to air frustrations, reflect on the weirdness of social isolation, and to find humour amongst it all. My main piece of advice for anyone taking part is not to overthink it and not to worry about the final result, and, as clichéd as it may be, to have fun with it."
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