Well I think I need to add another page under Resources – I think I’ll just call it ‘For Artists’.  I orginally thought I’d add my bit about the Sketchbook Project on the ‘Art Contests’ page, but the Sketchbook Project is hardly a contest.

The fact that there is a cost to the artist’s involved almost always turns me off.  Entry fees usually make me grumpy even though I know there are good reasons for having them in many cases but I find that there are way too many opportunities for artists out there that involve a questionable return. Anyway I don’t see the Sketchbook Project in this same light.  The fees are reasonable given that they support a huge undertaking as well as the Brooklyn Art Library.

The return for any artist taking part in the sketchbook project is in the incentive to finish a themed sketchbook and to develop your own art further through this as well as having the opportunity share it with others, both on the Tour and in the Library, and if you choose to have your book digitized, online as well.

The members of the Art House Co-op have found a way to develop and support a community resource, encourage the making and appreciation of original art, share this art with the wider community internationally and even give a few people steady employment in the process.  Not bad.

The deadline for the 2012 Sketchbook Project is October 31st and books must be postmarked by January 31st, 2012.  The tour will begin in April of 2012 with stops in ten major U.S. cities as well as in Vancouver and Toronto, Canada and will include England and Australia as well, although only books from Europe and Australia respectively, will be shown there.  Sign up soon if you want to get in on the 2012 Tour.  ‘It’s like a concert tour, but with sketchbooks.’

2011 Sketchbook Project Tour Seattle from mightymoss on Vimeo.