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Carl Mellor explores both sides of the easel during the Open Figure Drawing Group sessions, a weekly link between artists and their community. Michael Davis photographs.
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n June 11, just before 7 p.m., 14 people gathered in an upstairs room at the Westcott Community Center. They set up easels, placed pencils, crayons and other instruments within easy reach and waited for the opening of yet another figure drawing session. Over the past 25 years, the Open Figure Drawing Group has met almost every Wednesday night at the center. The occasional cancellation, because of a Wednesday falling on Christmas or New Year’s Eve, is eclipsed by a rock-solid record of longevity. The group consistently draws an average of 15 to 18 people and does it without an attendance policy. “People come when they can,” said Iver Johnson, who has played an organizer’s role for the group for roughly 16 years. “Some people are very
07.02.14 - 07.08.14 | syracusenewtimes.com
consistent and show up almost every time. Others are itinerant. They come for a couple of weeks and then don’t return for a while. We’re comfortable with various possibilities.” The sessions combine elements of community and autonomy. They are open to people with varying artistic skills and backgrounds: high school and college students, retirees, folks who make a living in an art-related field, newcomers to drawing. Everyone pays the same $10 fee, with the money going for the room rental and the ser-