The Drawing Studio opened in 2017 as a space for those who love art to come together to draw, learn new approaches in art making and find community. Jason Alden founded and directed the studio, offering classes, workshops, life drawing sessions and after school drawing for kids.
After 5 years, it proved to be a difficult project to continue alone. In late 2022, Jason made the choice to either close down the studio or hand it over to the community of artists that had come to love it.
The first organizational meeting brought together a large group of artists and musicians who wanted The Drawing Studio to move forward as a cooperative effort. We set up a nonprofit and now have a Board of Directors and 17 financially contributing members that have allowed The Drawing Studio to be renewed with a wider vision and more diverse perspectives to help guide its mission going forward.
History
The Brattleboro Drawing Studio is a community art center that provides space and materials for the practice of art for children and adults, artists and art students - anyone who enjoys art.
We offer a range of artistic activities in the form of lessons, self-directed activities, drop-in sessions and open studio time. We also make our space available for artistic community projects, and collaborations that are aligned with our purpose. We welcome a variety of arts such as drawing, painting, music and writing.
We aim to foster openness, creative cross-pollination and a commitment to artistic practice. We believe that a welcoming space that promotes effort, creative introspection and goodwill among people is a benefit to individuals and to the community.
Mission Statement
Thanks to the organizing, contributing and volunteering of its members, The Drawing Studio is financially stable and able to consistently offer artistic projects and education. You too can become a member to ensure its continuity so that we can be more creative together, and more responsive and generous to the community.
We invite you to join our membership for $100/month.
Membership benefits:
4 prepaid life drawing sessions per month at either our Wednesday evening or Friday morning sessions. They are $20/session for the community.
A 30% discount on all Drawing Studio workshops*
Access to Members’ Open Studio sessions and the ability to host your own.
A small art supply storage area at the studio.
An individual page on our website with samples of your work, an artist statement and a link to your website if you have one. (Coming soon!)
Participation in our annual Drawing Studio Members’ Art Exhibit to be held in March 2025.
Invitation to Special/Annual Meetings and voting rights to help shape the future of the Studio in accordance with our mission.
The ability to volunteer and organize art workshops/events you would like to see at the Studio.
* Our Members’ discount may be adjusted when we have collaborative events with other organizations. In-house workshops will be offered to Members at a 30% discount.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. bratt.drawing.studio@gmail.com
Membership
Make a Donation
Your donation will help us provide creative space for children and adults of our community and those who arrive here from different parts of the world.
Our Life Drawing sessions are available at low cost and are continuous throughout the year. Our Open Studio and Kids Drawing sessions are by donation to keep them accessible to everyone who wants a beautiful and supportive place to work on their art. We also organize Lectures, monthly Film Nights, and Workshops.
Please consider helping this effort to reach more people who would benefit from it. We are a 501(c)3 approved non-profit and your donations are tax deductible. We accept cash, checks made to ‘The Brattleboro Drawing Studio’ or online payments.
Drawing Studio Protocols
We wanted to share our updated artists' protocols for our life drawing sessions. If you plan to attend any of our life drawing sessions coming up, please read through them carefully.