Drawing Program Gets Funding Boost

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Art Association offers an imaginative program, “Let’s FIGURE This Out!,” supporting the fine arts cornerstone of figure drawing through highlighting diversity and humanity. Diverse models give artists and the community opportunities to learn about people of all shapes, sizes, gender expression, skin color and other physical attributes, organizers said.

CAA’s belief is that artists can better visualize and understand diversity by drawing diverse people’s bodies; including people of color, people marked by surgery, or modified by transgender procedures. The program intends to create an inner reexamination of our perception of beauty and humanity—spurring greater inclusivity as we see the “other” as us. Let’s FIGURE This Out! serves CAA patrons, tourists, people who are often underrepresented and the public.

In support of this program, the Community Foundation of Otsego County announced recently that it has awarded $5,000.00 to CAA, based on CFOC’s grant focus on diversity, inclusion and welcoming programs.

“We are pleased to offer this program which supports bringing diversity—through the fine arts—to our rural community. The program will work to break down stereotypes and support understanding of different cultures. CAA is happy to be recipients of a community foundation grant to facilitate our Let’s FIGURE This Out! Program for 2024,” said CAA Executive Director Janet Erway.

The program is every Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. in the upstairs class space at CAA. No reservations are needed. This is a non-instructed, open-studio workshop with live nude models for sketching and watercolor. No oils and acrylics are allowed and participants are asked to bring their own drawing materials. Easels are available or artists can bring their own. A trusted CAA member is present during each session to answer questions. Cash donation per session is $18.00, or $150.00 for 10 sessions—call (607) 547-9777 for further information.

An exhibition of the art at CAA is planned at a later date, along with a reception, a guest panel, and the models themselves speaking about the power of being seen and belonging through the medium of art.