A 24-hour Celebration of Drawing
Draw-a-thon is the only event of its kind in New Orleans. It is an art experience where people are active participants, not spectators. For 24 consecutive hours, our community comes together to sketch, color, cartoon, and doodle in a celebration of creativity for its own sake.
“Through draw-a-thon I realized that creative play and artful collaboration is a primal fundamental access to shared human joy,” said artist Circe Meadows.
“That we all need to tap into that joy when the opportunity is presented to us. That is what draw-a-thon has done all these past 20 years. It helps all of us get back to that garden of wonder and delight which unfortunately we get exiled regularly from due to the turmoils of this world.“
24 hours
Non-stop drawing from noon Saturday to noon Sunday
Free & Open
No cost, all ages welcome, drop in anytime
Materials Provided
Everything you need to create is waiting for you
Expert Sessions
Led by accomplished local artists throughout the event
One of our most beloved features is the paper-coated walls throughout the venue. Everyone is invited to make their mark, satisfying that primitive urge to draw on the wall. After 24 hours, thousands of drawings emerge in a collaboration between hundreds of artists.
“Drawing lies beneath most paintings, sculptures, and architecture. It’s more than an artistic mode; it’s a fundamental human language dating back to when we scratched outlines of animals on cave walls.” — Susan Gisleson, co-founder of draw-a-thon
What Makes draw-a-thon Essential
- It’s barrier-free creativity. No experience required, no materials needed, no cost to attend. Just show up and draw.
- It builds community. Artists, students, families, and neighbors create side by side, forming connections through shared creativity.
- It honors New Orleans resilience. Born from Katrina’s recovery in 2005, this event embodies our city’s spirit of coming together through art.
- It’s the only event of its kind. No other city hosts a 24-hour, free, all-ages drawing marathon like this.
- It encourages pure creation. No competition, no judgment, no product to sell. Just the joy of making something with your own hands.
- It welcomes all ages. Children, teens, adults, and seniors all participate together, making it a true intergenerational experience.
Anonymous visitor to draw-a-thon“It’s just the happiest place. It’s just the happiest feeling in here. It’s the happiest thing I’ve been to. I love it. I love this. Makes me happy.”
