jersey city drawing club
Jersey City Drawing Club (JCDC) is a weekly get-together of like-minded folks in Downtown Jersey City. Neither a workshop, nor a classroom format, JCDC is a local Drink and Draw event hosted by Emily August. Founded in 2008 in an apartment on Mercer Street, the drawing club meets to inspire creativity, and create a sense of purpose for artistically motivated individuals. Beginning in 2009, JCDC was invited to use the space at Love is the Message (LITM) on Newark Avenue, just half a block away from the Grove Street PATH station. This allowed the group to meet without the constraints that a large group might otherwise impose on Emily and her roommates… and also provided a wonderful night of discount, local microbrews. LITM also gives the group $2.00 off all food and entree items from the menu. Needless to say, its a lovely relationship.
During the first Tuesday of every month, LITM typically has an art gallery opening. During those nights, we do still try to meet if things are quiet. However, its rare to be able to host the drawing night during a more raucous event. We still try to sit together, but you’ll notice a marked decrease in the amount of drawing that gets done during a gallery opening!
Take a look at our photos below.
Please join the group on Facebook if you would like to receive event reminders every Tuesday that Drawing Club is happening. On the off-chance that Emily August can’t host on a Tuesday night (hey, it happens!) the group still meets and still enjoys discounted food and drinks between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Make sure you mention that you are there for Drawing Club!
Join us on Facebook for the most up to date information!
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Jersey City Drawing Club FAQ’s:
Q. Does Jersey City Drawing Club cost any money?
A. Nope. But you should pay for your own drinks and tip the staff if you imbibe!
Q. Do I need to bring supplies?
A. Sure, if you have them. Usually you can borrow something from someone. Notebooks and pens are as acceptable as charcoal and sketchpads. Use your imagination. The iPhone has some lovely sketchpad applications. (credit to: Maya and Nicole)
Q. Do you have models?
A. Not really but there are plenty of people at Drawing Club that you can draw. Many of them are quite attractive.
Q. What do you draw?
A. Sometimes we have themes. We like to keep it casual, and then go on group consensus if we feel the need for inspiration. Bring books or magazines for inspiration and we’ll all be very happy you did.
Q. Is it okay to just show up if I don’t know anyone? If I’m going to show up late? If I’m not sure what the heck I’m doing?
A. Yes, yes, and yes. Please. All awesome reasons to come out.
Q. Do I have to stay the whole time?
A. Nope. The whole thing is pretty casual.
Q. Why are you doing this to me?
A. Jersey City Drawing Club was started by JP Kosmyna and Emily Przybylinski in the winter of 2008; born from an enjoyable experience taking a group drawing class at Hoboken high school together. We realized we only really sat down and drew things if we were hanging out together with the purpose of drawing. And so, JP moved to Emily’s neighborhood, and it was good… but we let things lapse a bit. Rumors of Jersey City Drawing Club swirled in the atmosphere, and one never knew quite when to expect the next Drawing Club meeting.
Then, one fateful night early in the Fall of 2009, a few random strangers met on a quiet night, praising the glory of local microbrews and the peaceful atmosphere of a Tuesday night in downtown Jersey City. They decided that there should be more nights like this.
From there, drawing club was reborn.
Q. What is with the artistic ego?
A. Ah, sometimes we say things in interviews we don’t really mean. And we are sorry that we get carried away to dramatic effect. We blame our childhood.
Our tenets are simple. We want a reason to produce some art during the week; a reason to meet with friends; a source of fuel for the creative things we do all day; we like the idea of bringing together for the pure joy of it. I think there might be drink specials, as well.
Thanks for doing your part.
We welcome everyone and look forward to meeting you. And we are actually really, really nice.
