Join us for our third annual celebration of drawing, inspired by the wildly popular program of the same name in the UK. The Big Draw offers hands-on art projects for all ages that are guaranteed to change the way you think about drawing. Pick up a free sketchbook and participate in artist-led activities at five fantastic Lower Manhattan venues. Bring your imagination and let your creativity flow—no experience necessary!

The Big Draw is part of the Arts on the Horizon series presented by The River To River Festival and made possible by a grant from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, which is funded through Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additional funding is provided by Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer through the NYC & Company Foundation and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Battery Park City Parks Conservancy’s Teardrop Park
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Self-Guided Drawing
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Artist-Led Drawing

Create fantastical hybrid animals inspired by ancient cave drawings and the past and present wildlife found in Teardrop Park’s natural surroundings. Draw with Larry Dobens using pigments and tools resembling those of our cave artist ancestors.

Location: Teardrop Park, between Warren and Murray streets, East of River Terrace, in Battery Park City


Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Explore how sound and movement can be captured through mark, gesture, and line. Enjoy live dance performances, participate in discussions, and draw the body in motion and repose with Jeffrey Gibson in collaboration with The Heyna Second Sons Singers led by Louis Mofsie and Native American dancers Donna Ahmadi, Tom Pearson, and Michael Taylor. (Performances at 11:00 AM, 12:15, 1:30, and 2:45 PM)

Location: George Gustav Heye Center, U.S. Custom House, One Bowling Green, Across from Battery Park


New York Water Taxi
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Note: suggested ages 12+; 85 tickets are available for each cruise and will be issued on a first come, first served basis. Pick up tickets at the River To River tent at Pier 17 starting at 11:30 AM for the 12:00 PM cruise, and at 1:30 PM for the 2:00 PM cruise.

Investigate the city’s “edge zones” via water with Marie Lorenz and Lan Tuazon’s program of readings, drawing, and conversation on board a New York Water Taxi. Learn how water has shaped the development of the city, listen to journal entries of explorers, and record your surroundings during this unique cruise.

Location: New York Water Taxi, South Street Seaport, Pier 17, Fulton and South Streets


South Street Seaport Museum’s Schooner Pioneer
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Note: this event is suitable for ages 21+; 30 tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Pick up tickets at the River To River tent at Pier 16 starting at 6:30 PM.

Join in an evening drawing excursion led by Marie Lorenz and Lan Tuazon aboard the South Street Seaport Museum’s historic schooner Pioneer. Once we set sail, use your powers of observation to help solve a murder mystery that unfolds on deck. Later on shore, gather at a local watering hole to share your drawings and piece together the events of the night.

Location: Pioneer, South Street Seaport, Pier 16 behind the Peking, Fulton and South Streets


World Financial Center Plaza
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Hop, mark, and draw your way through Julia Mandle’s creative variation of hopscotch, inspired by the French version known as “escargot.” Members of J Mandle Performance wear artist-designed and cast chalk shoes to create a giant, spiral game board in this one-of-a-kind interactive performance.

Location: World Financial Center Plaza, between Vesey and Liberty Streets, in Battery Park City