Binghamton University Art Museum to host 24-hour Drawing Marathon

BINGHAMTON, NY – The Fourth Annual Drawing Marathon at the Binghamton University Art Museum will take place from 10 a.m. Friday, April 5 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6. The event is free and open to the public, but artists should be at least 18 or older in order to compete.
The marathon will require 10-12 selected artists to complete a finished figure drawing in 24 hours. Artists will draw with charcoal on large sheets of prepared paper (provided by the organizers) from a live model who will pose for the entirety of the marathon. Short breaks will be given, but artists will be at work for the run of the marathon. Visitors may observe the artists through the 24-hour period. The drawings will remain on view in the museum through Tuesday, April 9.
Two cash prizes will be awarded Saturday morning, April 6: the jury prize of $1,000 and the people’s prize of $500. The people’s prize will be awarded on the basis of qualitative comments received by visitors to the marathon as well as statements posted on the Binghamton University Art Museum Facebook page. The jury prize will be awarded by the jurors: Blazo Kovacevic, associate professor of art and design at Binghamton University; Christina Boyd, vice president of community relations for United Health Services; and Diane Butler, director of the Binghamton University Art Museum.
In addition to these prizes, the Binghamton University Fine Arts Society will give a basket of art supplies to one artist demonstrating the most creative or innovative approach to drawing.
“The Drawing Marathon is a chance to discover one’s artistic second wind, when powerful creative energy is released at the very time physical energy diminishes,” said Kovacevic. “This second wind reinvigorates both mind and body, and can result in a rewarding, even spectacular, artistic creation.”
The marathon is sponsored by the Binghamton University Department of Art and Design, United Health Services, the Binghamton University Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development, and the Vice Provost’s Office for Undergraduate Education.