The Big Draw at Hogarth's House

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A creative crowd participated in artistic event

Over 100 people took part in the Big Draw event at Hogarth’s House during a beautiful autumn afternoon last Saturday. The House opened earlier than usual, and visitors were through the gate within minutes. With paper, pencils and crayons available in every room, adults and children were soon hard at work on a variety of sketches.

Artists Jason Bowyer, Claire Ireland and Chrissy Blake co-ordinated the event and Sir Peter Blake joined them during the afternoon to draw in the House and Garden.

Five members of the Covent Garden Minuet Company were present all afternoon in full 18th century costume, strolling in the garden, playing cards in the House and posing for portraits. (They will be familiar to those who came to the William Hogarth Birthday Parties which raised funds for the Hogarth Statue). Their appearance inspired by young and old and they patiently sat for many portraits during the day.

A very large number of the visitors were children, including toddlers. The William Hogarth Trust, which organised the event, and the staff responsible for the House were delighted because so few children visit.

One of the attractions which particularly involved the children was the giant roll of paper along one wall of the exhibition room where anyone could add something to the drawing. This has been left on show with a few of the individual pictures so that other visitors in the weeks up to Christmas may see it.

October 21, 2005