Parker M.
Sketch-In: a non-instructional, social gathering where we get together to work on our books!
Karen Schoenitz
@karenschoenitz
Blue Bottom Art
@bluebottomart
Celebrating the opening of the Sketchbook Library in 2022!
save the date for our opening celebration:
Friday, November 8 | 5-7pm
Join us to celebrate the latest chapter of the Princeton Sketchbook Club. Hundreds of books have been distributed here in Princeton and around the country, with sketchers representing a total of 14 states! Participants received a blank sketchbook to be filled with whatever they desired, exploring new mediums and incorporating into their lives a regular art-making habit.
This special event is free and open to all. Bring yourself, friends, family, or neighbors to bask in the glory of hundreds of unique sketchbooks!
About the project:
Beginners, experienced artists, and everyone in between is invited to work in your favorite medium and leave behind your unique voice on the pages as you become part of this exciting collective project.
Everyone in the Club receives the same 8×5” sketchbook, a blank slate to completely customize. At the conclusion of the project, your sketchbook will become part of the library at the Arts Council, on view for the public and fellow sketchers to enjoy. Book sales ended on September 6, 2024.
Sketchbook Club FAQ
Friday, October 4 | 4pm latest
Books are due! If you’re dropping off in person, this is the last chance to leave your book with the front desk, though we will accept it earlier if you finish beforehand. Please note that the ACP closes at 4pm and no books will be accepted after that time. If you’re returning your book by mail, the same dates and times apply. Please leave sufficient time for the postal service to do its thing!
Friday, November 8 | 5-7pm
Join us for an Opening Celebration to show off your hard work!
Monthly Sketch-Ins:
Free and open to all Club Members, Sketch-Ins are non-instructional, social gatherings were we chat, snack, and work on our books.
June 26
July 24
August 21
September 25
YES! The Princeton Sketchbook is open to everyone, regardless of experience with making art. We welcome beginners and experienced artists to contribute their unique voices to the project. Children are also welcome to participate. All books are accepted into the collection. We do not jury any of the work.
Your book must remain within the original dimensions of 5 x 8” inches.
Don’t forget that your sketchbook will become part of a collection that will be viewed and handled by the public. If you choose to use art materials that could smudge, like charcoal, please seal or fix the work before you turn in your book. Your book should be durable and be able to withstand normal wear and tear.
We welcome artists in a variety of mediums, but some do work better than others. Tools like graphite, charcoal, and pen do well on the thinner paper, while wetter mediums like watercolor, inks, and paints might warp the pages. We’ve found that using them in moderation still results in a fabulous sketchbook, so try it out and use whatever you’re comfortable with.
Absolutely! Check out some awesome examples of decorated sketchbook covers in the gallery below. Just remember, same advice as above applies. Try to avoid materials like excess charcoal or graphite that will rub off onto viewers’ hands. Or remember to hit it with some fixative before turning your book in.
The Arts Council values, respects, and appreciates that you are contributing your work to the Princeton Sketchbook Club. By agreeing to participate, you still retain ownership of your work. We own the physical sketchbook, but your work is your work. The ACP retains the right to use your artwork to share the project, but will always credit the artist as specified.
This is our favorite question of all! Please share that you are part of the Princeton Sketchbook Club by documenting your progress on your book, finished pages, where your book has traveled to, etc by using the official hashtag – #princetonsketchbookclub and tag the ACP at @artscouncilofprinceton on Instagram. We will share to keep your fellow sketchers inspired and get folks excited about coming to see the library! Just keep in mind that if your IG account is set to “private”, we will not see your posts or be able to share.