A DECADE after The Big Draw started as a national event, the increasingly important and popular community artfest comes to Weymouth.

The Big Draw is a national campaign for drawing, held throughout October. Started in 2001, it is now the largest drawing festival in the world with more than 1,000 venues taking part nationally and aims to bring communities together in creative ways.

Weymouth’s Big Draw, which is open to professionals and amateurs alike, is overseen by Artwey, the borough’s artists co-operative.

The idea to hold The Big Draw in Weymouth came from the recent establishment of the Weymouth Life Drawing group.

Organised by artist Susan Hughes, the group now regularly meets once a month in Weymouth.

Susan said: “I decided to bring the Big Draw to Weymouth because I think its philosophy is very interesting. I feel that drawing is important and for a lot of people it’s a lost skill. The Big Draw aims to introduce drawing for all ages and bring people back to it.

“Everybody can get something from drawing – and art is for everybody. Everybody can draw at some level – not just children.”

As part of the Big Draw, there will be an exhibition of artwork by amateurs and professionals in the Mulberry gallery at Weymouth Library, Great George Street from October 11 to 22.

A major part of the scheme will be The Giant Wall, a community art project to create two wall hangings and a commemorative book as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Run by local artist Carol Cruickshank, on behalf of Artwey, The Giant Wall, will be two community-made artist-led wall-hangings where individuals in their localities produce a textile portrait of someone in the local community who has inspired them.

Added to local portraits will be portraits of inspiring Olympic athletes, which will be joined together to make two giant walls – one for Portland and one for Weymouth. Two books will also be produced detailing the makers, the subjects and reasons for the inspiration - and both these and the wall-hangings will provide a lasting legacy for the community for this Olympic year.

Work will start on the hangings in Weymouth Library on Saturday, October 15 and continue on October 22, with workshops running on both days from 10.30am until 3.30pm.

Susan said: “There will be two fabric wall hangings and a commemorative book and we are encouraging people to come along and either watch or take part. There will be artists there to help and it will be an important part of the Big Draw.”

It costs just £1 to help out with The Giant wall. For further information contact carol.neil@hotmail.co.uk Susan added: “Drawing is an important part of life and can be a meditative activity. We really hope that lots of people will come and take part in The Big Draw because it can have a positive effect on individuals and the community as a whole.”

For further details, visit thebigdraw.org l Artwey is a Community Interest Company that supports artists in the Weymouth and Portland area. It regularly holds open studio events and exhibitions throughout the year. For further information visit artwey.co.uk Weymouth Life Drawing Group is run by artist Susan Hughes and meets once a month in Weymouth. The classes aim to be flexible, relaxed occasions suited to a broad range of individual need.

For further information contact susanrhughes@ googlemail.com or phone Susan 01305 780078