This Saturday 17 May, the BedPopShop at 68 High Street will be transformed into the BedPop Art School – and everyone’s welcome!
After hearing about the Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School concept, we were inspired to create a similar event in Bedford. Dr Sketchy’s is an international burlesque life drawing event with branches all over England, America and the rest of the world. The premise is that ‘art monkeys’ come to draw beautiful burlesque models, the art is interspersed with drinking games, comedic skits and onstage dancing.
It seemed the perfect opportunity to bring together and showcase the fantastic creative and vintage scenes we have in Bedford. In the stunning and raw loft above the former pizza hut shop, we’ll be holding ‘Dress-up Drawing’; two 90-minute life drawing classes with local artist and teacher Kristian Purcell. Our model will be styled up with a 50s theme courtesy of the amazing Sarah of Doo-wop Dos fame.
The architecturally-stunning, vacant space will be decorated to provide a eclectic backdrop for the classes and, as it’s BYOB, it promises to be a truly boozy, bohemian night! The Circus of Illustration will also be arranging some collaborative arty fun and we know from experience of their ‘drink and draw’ nights, that art + alcohol can yield some interesting results!
Tickets are on sale here for both the life drawing classes, or if you prefer to just come down with a bottle or two of finest ‘vino collapso’ and have some creative fun, the arty party is just £5.
During the afternoon (1.30 – 3.30pm) we’ll also be holding a free Dress Up Drawing event for children. Local fancy dress wonders Narnia (whose shop is on Lime Street) will be on hand with costumes and props and we have a fantastic face painter available, with lots of activities again planned by the Circus of Illustration. So if you’re in town on Saturday with your kids, do pop in and see us. And don’t forget to get a sitter and join us for the grown-up games in the evening!
Throughout the day (and for every Saturday until early June), you will also be able to browse and buy from the Circus of Illustration’s vintage-inspired exhibition that is in the BedPopShop.
Follow us on twitter @BedPop #BedPopArtSchool
@wearethecircus
by BedPop Art School organiser Amy Yearley
