Edmonds Sketcher Fest – 14-16 July 2023

https://graphite-edmonds.org/ https://pt.linkedin.com/in/mario-linhares

The Washington State Arts Commission designates official Creative Districts, and supports them as communities that connect arts and culture to economic development. Edmonds is on the list, rightly so, and a hub is the Graphite Arts Center. Thus was sponsored the 3-day Sketcher Fest, which really pulled in the sketchers! For the opening reception on Friday the 14th, historian/PhD researcher Mário Linhares guided and exhorted us through a history of sketchers and the sketchbook, with a presentation featuring stunning examples of the works of Delacroix, Picasso, Kahlo, Franklin McMahon (“a drawing reporter”), and numerous others. Sunday’s post-sketch-walk throwdown occurred earlier than I anticipated, so I missed it, oh well. For a finale, four talented-high schoolers jazzed it up at the closing reception.