Drawing on the Outside is a programme of making sessions for men, a space for socialising and drawing together. The exhibition at God’s House Tower showcases the work the group has been making together since September 2023 and is a culmination of the first phase of the project.

The group has been meeting in St Mary’s Church Hall off Wessex Lane, Swaythling Train Station in Mansbridge and Riverside Park since September 2022. The informal and relaxed sessions are open to men, with no previous experience of drawing and making necessary.

This exhibition is a culmination of the first phase of the project, an opportunity to pause and take stock of the work they have made and the connections they have formed.

The work in the exhibition has been created using pencil, charcoal, home-made oak gall ink, pencil crayon, felt tips, coloured inks, printmaking and cyanotype process, inspired by natural materials collected by the group from local outside spaces and photographs taken in and around the Riverside Park area of the city.

As well as showcasing the work that has been made in the sessions the gallery will also be an active space, laid out with art materials offering visitors the chance to draw and contribute to the exhibition.

Drawing on the Outside Workshop

On Saturday 27 May, 2-4pm the group will be in God’s House Tower hosting an afternoon of drawing and conversation inspired by the outdoors. An invitation to come and draw, find out more about the project and meet the men who have been taking part in the sessions so far. Please note our ongoing sessions are for men only, but this workshop is open to all men and women alike.

The group will continue into the summer with sessions taking place outdoors in Riverside Park:

Thursday 4 & 18 May and Wednesday 31 May all 1-4pm. Meeting at Riverside Park Car Park off Woodmill Lane SO18 2JR.

If you would like further information about the project or would like to come along to one of the sessions, please get in touch with Katie & sarah at drawingontheoutside@gmail.com

Drawing on the Outside is on display from Friday 26th May to Sunday 4th June and is free to visit.