For the sixth year running the Big Draw is serving up an action packed line-up of events.
Kicking-off on Saturday 1st October the arty party is being held in over a thousand venues up and down the country. In national museums, village halls, castles and shopping centres, universities, nursery schools, libraries and hospitals, palaces and beaches, half a million people, of all ages, will be putting pencil to paper and trying their hand at a spot of drawing. Organised by the Campaign for Drawing the premise is simple: drawing is as basic a skill as reading and writing and everyone can do it but unfortunately few do. Cue The Big Draw with the ambitious aim to get everyone drawing. So if you're looking for a chance to get creative than get drawing. With a number of events around the county you'll be able to cast yourself in stone, daub on silk and get creative with everything from light and film to ribbons and bicycles. So if you want to put pencil to paper, crayon to canvas, brush up (sorry) on your painting or just make a big painty mess there's definitely an event for you, near you. Alderbury & West Grimstead CE VA Primary School, Firs Road, Alderbury, Salisbury (01722 710464) "Art in a Box!" All children will be producing their very own piece of artwork... in a box! Our miniature works of art will be displayed in the school hall, and parents will be invited in to view them after school.
Wed 19 & Thurs 20 Oct 3.15 onwards
All Ages. No admission charge ArtCare @ Salisbury District Hospital Facilities Directorate, Odstock Road, Salisbury (01722 336262)
"Cast in Stone" Make an impressive mark with clay and plaster casting or printmaking fabric banners. Open day with drop-in workshops for all ages. No previous experience necessary!
Tues 11 Oct 10am - 4pm
All Ages. No admission charge. Please phone for booking details. John Creasey Museum Salisbury Library & Galleries, Market Place, Salisbury, (01722 343277) "Childrens Open Drawing Competition" The 3rd Children's Open will take place this year. Emphasis will be on drawing. Prizes will be awarded in ages 5-8, 9-12, 13-16.
No admission charge. Forms can be obtained from Salisbury Library & Galleries, Salisbury. Matravers School Springfield Road, Westbury
(01373 822 666) "The Big Draw" Draw with our artists, dancers and musicians using light, film, wire, concrete, routers, chalks, pens, inks, clay, masks, ribbons, bicycles and lots more.
An event for everyone to enjoy while exploring all types of drawing. Sat 15 Oct 10am - 2pm
All Ages. No admission charge Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum The King's House, 65 The Close, Salisbury, (01722 332151) "Silk Painting Workshop" A day of hands-on silk painting with Elizabeth Nash. Morning drop-in session for all. Afternoon workshop for fifteen people - create your own piece of work to take home.
Sat 15 Oct 10.30am - 12pm drop-in, 1.30 - 4pm workshop.
Families with children aged 8+. Drop-in free; workshop £10 + materials cost Normal admission charge. Ring to book workshop place. Stourhead (National Trust) Stourhead Estate Office, Stourton, Nr Mere
(01747 842012) "The Big Draw Close Up!" Drop in and be inspired by the beauty of the garden in autumn to work with our artists' help. All art materials provided.
Sat 15 Oct 12 - 4pm
All Ages. Normal admission charge. £1 minimum donation per family or group Swindon Art Gallery Bath Road, Swindon
(01793 466556)
"Headstrong!" King William Street School children will wrap their heads in cloth and draw in the contours with charcoal to make large-scale drawings inspired by Tony Bevan's 'Head' in the Swindon Art Collection. Continuing the work back at school with artist Laurie Plant they will create their own version of the painting using a wide vocabulary of marks.
Fri 14 Oct 9.30am - 12.30pm
School pupils. No admission charge Swindon Arts Services Premier House, Station Road, Swindon
(01793 46650) "Drawing Power" Artists who teach in local universities and colleges will celebrate the Big Draw by exhibiting their work in the Wyvern Theatre Lower Foyer.
11 Oct - 3 Dec 10am - 6pm
All Ages. No admission charge Swindon School of Art and Design Swindon College, Regent Circus Site, Swindon (01793 498489) "The Big Draw" In-house College events to persuade the college community to participate in drawing events throughout the day. Drawing event in the town centre to charm and persuade the general public to enjoy drawing on the day of the big draw. All welcome. Drawing event at Little Stars Nursery with the children enjoying a creative event run by the art students.
Wed 5 Oct 10am - 4pm
All Ages. No admission charge Wiltshire Heritage Museum 41 Long Street, Devizes
(01380 727369) "Drawn from History" Come along and draw from the collections. Bring the museum objects to life by drawing them in their original setting, imagining how they would have been used and who would have used them.
Sat 15 Oct 10am - 5pm
All Ages. No admission charge | 
