The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) has announced the return of the popular Princeton Sketchbook Club for its third iteration. This beloved community initiative invites participants of all ages and experience levels to contribute their creativity to a growing public collection of unique sketchbooks contributed by artists of all skill levels.
Each member of the Sketchbook Club receives the same 8×5” sketchbook — a blank canvas ready to be completely customized with the participant’s unique take. At the conclusion of the project, all completed books are added to the Princeton Sketchbook Library, a permanent collection housed at the Arts Council and open to the public six days a week.
Since its launch in 2021, the project has welcomed more than 300 submissions, showcasing a wide variety of styles, mediums, and voices. From graphite and pen drawings to collage, painting, and writing, no two books are alike. The project emphasizes accessibility and inclusivity: there is no jury or selection process, and all sketchbooks are accepted into the collection.
“The Sketchbook Club holds such a special place in my heart”, shares Melissa Kuscin, ACP Director of Programming and Events and Sketchbook Club founder. “At its core, the project is a joyful reminder of how creativity lives in everyone, whether it’s right at the surface and ready to explode onto the page, or needs some gentle coaxing.”
While many contributors are local to New Jersey and participate in monthly ACP-hosted Sketch-Ins, the project continues to expand nationally, with participants of all ages and experience levels returning their completed sketchbooks by mail. Since the project’s inception, sketchbooks have been sent to artists in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, Maine, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and California. The result is a truly collaborative and diverse reflection of the creative spirit.
“It’s so incredibly powerful to share your work in a welcoming space, whether you’re participating from right here in town or you’re across the country. For those local, the added benefit of getting together with such lovely fellow artists is the cherry on top. I implore you to check us out if you’ve been itching to get hands-on or meet new friends.”
Books are $10 for local pick-up and $15 for domestic shipping. All proceeds benefit community arts programming in Princeton and beyond.
Sketchbooks are now available. A series of Sketch-Ins will be held bi-weekly on Tuesday evenings. View a full schedule of events, learn more, and register to participate by visiting the Arts Council’s website.
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org.
