EXH Thinking Through Drawing

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Next event date is Wednesday, February 5, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m. See all dates

Location:
Smith College Museum of Art Nixon Gallery
For:
Open to the Public

Thinking Through Drawing

“Drawing is putting a line around an idea.”

– Henri Matisse

What determines when a piece of art is truly finished? We might think
it’s clear when we see a painting on the wall of a museum, but for most
artists, the moment of completion is anything but straightforward. Often,
artists start by sketching or making preliminary studies on paper before
moving on to more permanent mediums such as copper, canvas, bronze,
marble or wood.

Not every artist follows the same creative process. Some artists choose to
bypass sketching and work directly on canvas, while others specialize in
creating intricate and detailed drawings. Furthermore, a significant number
of drawings are powerful standalone pieces, often signed by the artist.

What is it about these initial sketches and studies that captivate us?
Perhaps it’s the insight they offer into the creative process—the decisions
and revisions that lead us to a “finished work” or the fact that they remind
us that most art isn’t simply a stroke of genius from an inspired artist.

At SCMA, we collect and treasure preparatory drawings. These raw
sketches reveal the hard work, trial and error, determination and
inspiration that constitute the artist’s creative journey.

This exhibition is supported by the Suzannah J. Fabing Programs Fund for
the Smith College Museum of Art.

We invite you to try your hand at drawing as well! Locate a work that captures
your attention and let it inspire you. You’ll find all that you need to draw
(stool, pencil, paper and drawing board) in the alcove of this gallery. Enjoy!

Upcoming event dates:
  • Wednesday, February 5, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Thursday, February 6, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Friday, February 7, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 8, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Sunday, February 9, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 11, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 12, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Thursday, February 13, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Friday, February 14, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 15, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Sunday, February 16, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 18, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 19, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Friday, February 21, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 22, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Sunday, February 23, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 26, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Thursday, February 27, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Friday, February 28, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 1, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
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  • Wednesday, June 18, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 19, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Friday, June 20, 2025 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
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