Sketch Club hopes to connect artists in the virtual world

Anybody can join the club, which is held on a Wednesday from 3-5pm.

Local artists will judge entries each week to pick a winner in both children’s and adult categories.

‘We normally run a summer sketch club where we meet once a week in Town. Usually it’s about 10 of us from the office, sometimes others join, and we’ll sketch Town buildings before going for a pint. It’s really good fun,’ said John Hibbs, CEO of architects PF + A.

Classes begin when the clocks go forward.

‘Due to obvious reasons this year we have started a virtual club on WhatsApp. Sketch Club is open to anyone – it’s all about inclusivity and being positive. We only ask parents to do submissions for their children.’

Children are loosely defined as aged 13 and below.

Connecting a creative community is central to Sketch Club.

‘I called my friend and local artist Louise Lawton to ask her to judge the first week’s entries. Our judge for week two was Sally Ede-Golightly and James Colmer will judge this week,’ said Mr Hibbs. ‘Sketch Club aims to show what we can do in a virtual sense to get people together. To join, please go to our Facebook event and click the link to join the WhatsApp group.’

For week one the topic was a view from a window and for week two it was any portrait.

Winning entries are published on social media.

‘Around 30 people were in the WhatsApp group last week. At 3pm we gave them the topic, so it’s like we are drawing together.’

Participation levels have tripled since the previous week at 90 group members.

‘Amazing works of art come flooding through the WhatsApp group at 5pm – some are incredible. A video was uploaded on our Instagram showing each entry.’

Showcasing different styles to exhibit the facets of culture is another aim.

‘Getting people together like this creates a space where everyone is on the same wavelength. It’s a really nice community and great to see what work is produced.’

Anybody can participate regardless of medium or artistic ability.

‘The way I sketch is quite carefree, like scratching onto the paper. People can use pencil, pen, paint, whatever works best. Last week we had a man up a ladder doing a mural,’ said Mr Hibbs. ‘Essentially it can be whatever you want it to be. That’s the wonderful thing about art – you can just get creative.’

. Go to instagram.com/p/B-o14cnFPGx/ to view the video of week two entries.