Twin Cities Life Drawing Co-ops

Above: Derwent Graphitint sketch on smooth paper in a Great Canadian Sketchbook, 11 x 14 inches. (Note Graphitints are not lightfast. I currently only use them for quick sketches such as life-drawing.) Click on the image to view an enlargement. Read more about this sketch where it appears in the journal selection gallery at Rozworks.com.

This post was last updated on December 16, 2011. The listings will be updated as new information is received. Email or call a group before attending to verify times, location, cost, etc.—all of which are subject to change. If you run a public group please email listing information to rozjournalrat@gmail.com

The following list of drawing co-ops comes to us courtesy of MCBA Visual Journal Collective member Laura Schmieg (it is being updated as new information comes in). I've made it into a page so that it will be easy for visitors to the blog to locate. Things change. If you discover a group has evaporated, relocated, or otherwise morphed; or attend a public group not on this list; please contact me at rozjournalrat@gmail.com, so that I can update the list.

I used to be a regular attendee at Florence Hill's Co-op and it is a wonderful experience. (I recommend that you arrive early to select a seating location as this is a very well-attended co-op.) Over time I found the Sunday afternoon didn't work for me on a regular basis so I shifted into a private co-op recommended by my computer guy.

Why go to life drawing? Every artist has his own reasons. I go because it forces me to focus on the human face and form when I would much rather be off at the zoo or nearest chicken coop. Peter Steinhart, in his book The Undressed Art: Why We Draw, has examined many reasons from the perspective of the artist and the model. If you are interested in a thoughtful examination of life-drawing practice I highly recommend this excellent book.

Steinhart captures my thoughts when he writes, "…almost all drawing is merely practice. One draws especially to learn…And in the end you are drawing in order to grow within yourself. Matisse said he drew 'to liberate grace and character' and saw the work as 'that of understanding myself.'"

Attending a life-drawing co-op regularly, whether or not you are called upon to sketch naked people on other days of the week, is a useful practice. I hope you will consider giving it a try. Go weekly for 6 weeks and then assess how you feel about your artwork, about your productivity, about your ability to see. Each group has its own dynamics. Some are chatty, some are silent, but all good drawing cooperatives have a clear focus on the work. Try several before you settle on one.

Please note that most life drawing co-ops are open to the drawing public on a drop-in basis. You won't have to sign up for several weeks of attendance (but it is always good to contact the coordinator before your first visit to learn how a particular co-op is run and what art materials are allowed). Also drawing co-ops are not classes. A life drawing co-op is a group of artists who band together to offset modeling fees.

Take cash for your fee. While some groups will take checks it's usually a hassle. Cash is always accepted.

Every life drawing group I've attended has a mix of artistic skill levels so don't be worried about being inexperienced. Willingness to work hard is all that is needed. Often more experienced artists will answer a question during coffee breaks. Keep your eyes open and you'll learn how other artists work as well.)

 

Twin Cities LIfe Drawing Co-ops

Florence Hill, 2205 California St NE, Studio 510, Minneapolis.
Sundays 2–5 p.m., $6. (Note: this co-op meets every Sunday of the year, regardless of holidays.)
Contact: Fhill510@aol.com; 612 782-0353

Sunday Marathon, Casket Arts Bldg, 6810 17th Ave NE, Minneapolis.
First Sunday of the month, 1:15–4 p.m. (Price: Contact Lisa, Laura didn't have a price down for this and my recollection is it is about $20 which offsets the cost of multiple models and is well worth it.)
Contact: Lisa Pfeiffer, singettasing@yahoo.com; 612 735-3652

Banfill-Locke Art Center, 6666 East River Rd, Fridley.
Wednesday, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Contact: Catherine Vesley or Joyce Schmidt 763-574-1850 at Banfill-Locke.

MCAD (Minneapolis College of Art and Design), 2501 Stevens, Minneapolis.
Monday 7-9 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. (see website for specifics on room and fees)
Contact: Life Drawing hours and fees at MCAD.

Land-Marker’s, White Bear Center for the Arts, White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
See White Bear Center for the Arts website for details.
Contact: 651 407-0597 wbca@whitebeararts.org

Old Town Artists (location somewhere in Old Town?)
Wednesdays 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Costs: ?)
Contact: Lisa Pfeiffer, singettasing@yahoo.com

Savage Art Studio, 4735 W. 123rd St. Suite 200, Savage, Minnesota.
Contact: 952-895-0375, Monday mornings

Dr Sketchy’s (Burlesque) at 331 Club, 13th Ave NE Mpls,
On the fourth Sunday of every month,$10.
Contact: Ophelia Flame, info@drsketchys.com

Macalester (I can't find the details on the life drawing group at this university so if you know the link let me know and I'll update this page.)

CVA (College of Visual Arts), St. Paul.
See the link for times and details. (New link added October 15, 2011.)

And here is an additional "clothed" model session that was not on Laura's list. I learned about this some time ago and haven't had a chance to check it out yet:

Portrait Open Studio in St. Paul (use contact below to discover specifics)
Friday 7 to 9:30 p.m., $5 for nonmembers
Contact: Linda at lkusserow@mac.com
Check out OldTownArtists.blogspot.com for more information. This series is part of the Old Town Artists group, listed below in updates.

UPDATES:

June 15, 2010

Old Town Artists life drawing sessions. Located in the ACVR Warehouse, on the fourth floor, at 106 West Water Street in St. Paul.  Through this summer (2010), life drawing will be on alternating Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and is $7 per session, with sessions being approximately two and a half hours. Note that doors are open from 7 to 7:30 p.m. for entry. 6/23, 7/7, 7/21 are the upcoming dates. Portrait drawing (clothed) is on alternating Friday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and the fee is $5. Note that doors open for the Friday sessions between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Upcoming sessions are on 6/18, 6/25, 7/2, 7/16 and 7/30. Check out OldTownArtists.blogspot.com for more information. The "clothed" model session listed just before the UPDATES heading is part of this group's activities.

September 4, 2010

Portrait Co-Op. #103 Studio, California Building, 2205 California St NE, Minneapolis, MN. Saturdays 9 to 11:30 a.m. All welcome: $10 per session. For information contact: Frank Wetzel, (612) 871-1223
FBWetzel@Yahoo.com

Monday Night Portrait Group. Old Town Artists. Contact Emma Wadsworth, emmasart@yahoo.com, for location, dates, and hours (held once every five or six weeks). Duration: Four hours. For each session two artists take turns posing, for two hours each (with standard model breaks), to keep this a no-cost group. New artists are expected to pose for two hours the first night they come and then draw for two hours. The model selects the music. There are drawing benches and easels available. Contact Emma if you want to be on their email list. She would like you to respond if you are going to attend; sometimes they don't get enough artists to make it worthwhile. You are encouraged to bring food and drink if you think you will be hungry.   

March 12, 2012

I just found this listing of Minnesota life-drawing/co-op groups. Some of the groups on my list are present and there are some that are not on my list. Check it out.

If you find this information has changed or you know of additional life drawing sessions please notify me at rozjournalrat@gmail.com. Thanks.

Comments

[Melanie]

I am going to a figure drawing session tonight, and I am reading The Undressed Art, I love it. Drawing is yoga for the eyeballs.

[Roz]

Melanie, have fun at life drawing tonight! Drawing is not just yoga for the eyeballs, but also for your brain (and I would argue, soul).

[Sharon Parker]

Hi, Roz,
I picked up a mini flyer at Wet Paint about the Macalester group. It says that it's Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., at Macalester Art Dept. 123. The flyer says that it's free. Contact: artalliance@macalester.edu

There's also a url for the Experimental College of the Twin Cities, and on that site I found this page: http://excotc.org/content/figure-drawing-with-live-model

I haven't gone to this yet myself, so I can't confirm any of the info firsthand.
--Sharon

[Tracie Thompson]

Hi Roz,

I'm just chiming in about the Old Town Artists life drawing sessions. I happened across your blog while looking online for information about OTA, to see if anyone could find us if they were looking.

That group is located in the ACVR Warehouse, on the fourth floor, at 106 West Water Street in St. Paul. They are a talented and fun bunch, so much so that I've just become their newest member.

Through this summer, life drawing will be on alternating Wednesdays and is $7 per session, with sessions being approximately two and a half hours. 6/23, 7/7, 7/21 are the upcoming dates.

Portrait drawing (clothed) is on alternating Friday evenings and the fee is $5. I'll be sitting as the portrait model this Friday, the 18th. Upcoming sessions are on 6/25, 7/2, 7/16 and 7/30.

I hope this information will be helpful to someone.

[Roz]

Tracy, I'm going to revise the post and put your information up in the body of the text. Could you please send me the email or phone number of their contact person so that when the summer is over there is a way for people to find out about the times and sessions for this group?

Thanks so much for the information.

[Roz]

Tracy, also could you please supply a STARTING TIME? When I updated my page listings I realized you had only said "evenings" and 2 1/2 hours.

Thanks

[Thomas Winterstein]

The times for Life Drawing on Wednesday nights at Old Town Artists is 7:30-9:30. The ACVR warehouse is locked after 4 p.m. The warehouse door will be opened from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. The times for portrait drawing on Friday nights is 6:30-9:30 p.m. The door will be opened from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.

The open clothed modeling session you have listed below the CVA listing is the Old Town Artists portrait session.

More information on Old Town Artists and the open drawing sessions is on OldTownArtists.blogspot.com.

[Roz Stendahl]

Thomas, thanks for providing this essential info for the update! I've put it into the main body of the text in case people don't make it to the comments section!