things i loved about the symposium...

WE ASKED THREE INTERNATIONAL URBAN SKETCHERS TO DESCRIBE AUCKLAND IN THREE WORDS AND TELL US WHAT MADE THE SYMPOSIUM SPECIAL FOR THEM...

INSPRING, CHALLENGING, UNFORGETTABLE

Onion Oh, Suwon, South Korea

It was my first time attending a Symposium, and I flew all the way from Korea to get there. The trip was about 11 hours, but it was totally worth it. When I arrived, I started drawing pictures right away, (actually I started drawing even on the bus ride to the airport!) The whole experience was amazing. I stayed in New Zealand for about three weeks and got to travel around the South Island, where I saw a lot of animals (sheep, cows, alpacas and lots and lots of dead possums) and beautiful scenery.

But the real highlight was the Symposium itself. I got to meet so many new people and make a ton of new friends. In fact, I challenged myself to draw everyone I met, and I ended up drawing 380 people over the course of four days – and there were still more people I have not met yet! It was such a great opportunity to connect with other artists and see all the different perspectives and styles they brought to the table.

And of course, the drinks were flowing and the food was amazing. I really enjoyed Drink and Draw, the local wine and lattés, and the cheese was out of this world.

Most importantly, I learned so much at the Symposium. There were so many amazing artists there, and I was able to pick up new techniques, styles, and materials that I had never experienced before. It was truly a turning point in my life as an artist, and I left feeling inspired and invigorated to keep improving my skills. The Symposium really opened my eyes to new possibilities and helped me realize that there are no limits to what I can create. I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend and to have met so many talented and friendly people. It was an amazing event, and I would highly recommend it to any artist looking to expand their horizons and connect with others in the community: an incredible experience that I’ll never forget.

I am extremely grateful to the organizers for putting together such an incredible event. They did an amazing job of bringing together so many talented and diverse artists from all over the world, and creating an environment where we could all learn and grow together. The attention to detail and care they put into every aspect was inspiring, from the workshops and presentations to the food and accommodations. It’s clear that they are passionate about supporting the arts and fostering a sense of community among artists. I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of it, and I want to express my deepest thanks.

REFRESHING, WINDY, HILLY Jakob Hansson, Copenhagen, Denmark

The best part of the Symposium was the enthusiasm, knowledge sharing and camaraderie between all the lovely sketchers. The organizers managed to integrate local NZ culture very well, from making varied posts on the Facebook group well in advance, to the Māori performances at the opening and closing ceremonies. This was my fourth Symposium. It was extremely well organized, and the venue was perfect, with room for everyone.

A favorite sketching spot in Auckland was drawing the amazingly expressive Moreton Bay fig trees in Albert Park, Auckland, and later painting misty mountains and vivid autumn colours in Queenstown. We had some wonderful servings of lamb and some great wine on our trip. An unexpected bonus was that my wife and I met Ruth Shawthe best bookseller in her tiny “Wee Bookshop” at the end of the world in the small village Manapouri in the South Island. We both read her book The Bookseller at the End of the World , with her touching, dramatic life story.

RIGHT: SKETCH BY JAKOB DONE

DURING MARU GODAS’S WORKSHOP