Let’s draw Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – Saturday 24th July 2021

Pen & ink sketch of the Olympic Park by Nick Kobyluch

[Sasala Wickramasinghe writes]

PLEASE NOTE, BOTH THROWDOWNS (at 1pm and 3.30pm) WILL NOW TAKE PLACE BY THE AQUATICS CENTRE (#1 on the map) 

In anticipation of full easing of restrictions on the 19^th of July, this will be our first sketchcrawl since the pandemic started. It’s been a long time coming!

However, since COVID-19 and its variants are going to remain even after the restrictions are lifted, it’s prudent to take all the necessary precautions to make ourselves and fellow sketchers safe throughout the event. The risk of infection is low for outdoor events but basic rules do still apply - please don't attend if you're feeling unwell, wear a face covering if close to others, give people space and practice good hand  hygiene. There is also the option of self-testing before the event. (you can get home testing kits through this link). 

Our theme for July is sculpture and we’ve chosen QE Olympic Park in Stratford, East London. 

The famous ArcelorMittal Orbit is probably the first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of the Olympic Park, but since the 2012 London Olympic Games, this place has become a bit of a treasure trove of modern sculptural art! The orbit is only one of nearly 30 different art installations; some are functional and others serve as time capsules. More information and a map here: Art in the Park – a field guide.

If you prefer to sketch at home or locally to where you live, please feel free to interpret the theme as you wish – they could be monuments which celebrate the history of your local area, sculptures made by local artists or even art installations that have specific functions. 

'Please be Seated' installation at Kew - Watercolour sketch by Sasala Wickramasinghe

At home, it could be a souvenir you brought back from your last holiday (remember those?!), a treasured gift you received or even something you are working on yourself. 

Whether you join us in person in Stratford, sketch locally in a smaller group or sketch at home, please don't forget to share your sketches on the USk London Facebook Page, or on social media (Instagram/Twitter) with the hashtags #urbansketcherslondon #usklondon #urbansketchers to help us find your drawings. Also, please send your location drawings to us via email to be included in the Our London interactive sketch map.

Plan for the day

11 am

Meet at QE Olympic Park, by the London Aquantics Centre (#1 on the map). The main entrance is just across the road from the Westfield Shopping Centre. This is a big open space with the Aquatics Centre on your left.

1 pm and 3.30 pm 

Both throwdowns and the final photo, by the London Aquatics Centre (#1 on the map). For the benefit of those who may join later and/or rain tomorrow, the throwdowns and the photo will take place by the Aqualtics Centre, same as the original meeting point. 

There are plenty of facilities dotted around the park; they’re clearly marked on the map in Art in the Park - A Field Guide. There are quite a few cafés and restaurants in the East Village and in the Westfield shopping centre if people want to gather for lunch or stay for a drink afterwards. 

The meeting points (magenta) and toilet facilities (orange) are marked on the map below.

See you at the park!

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Let’s draw Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – Saturday 24th July 2021