Folks may remember The Sketchbook Project, an initiative out of the Brooklyn Art Library that featured a collection of over 50,000 works by more than 30,000 artists.
After 17 years, the library and project closed, and the sketchbooks were sent to their new homes — the Southeast portion of the collection now resides in Chattanooga at Stove Works.
Bonus: You can check out the list of sketchbooks in the collection online + see them for yourselves in the art space’s library during its gallery operational hours.
Taking inspiration from the project, Stove Works has launched its own Sketchbook Collection initiative. Local artists can participate by checking out a 28-page sketchbook to complete and return to be housed with the permanent collection.
There’s no timeline for the project, meaning artists can complete sketchbooks at their leisure — just make sure to bring your work back to Stove Works to be put on display.
Artists of all experience levels can join in the initiative — you’ll even see some of Stove Works’ artists in residency housed in the collection like Neena Wang, whose exhibit “Celestial Bodies” is currently on display in the gallery through Saturday, June 7.
Sketchbooks can be picked up Wednesday through Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m. + there is no charge to participate.
