Brentford's Big Draw Takes Place this Saturday
Materials being provided for you to 'make your mark'
Local artists will be on hand to give you guidance
October 2, 2026
Brentford’s first ever Big Draw festival arrives at the Great West Gallery on Saturday 3 October, inviting everyone to come in, pick up materials and “make your mark”.
Running from midday until 5pm, the afternoon will offer a relaxed, hands-on celebration of drawing in all its forms, with artists on site to guide visitors through both traditional and experimental techniques.
The Big Draw is designed for all ages and abilities, encouraging people to reconnect with creativity in whatever way feels natural. With Brentford currently filled with reproductions of National Gallery paintings as part of the Art on Your Doorstep trail, organisers say it is the perfect moment to take a walk, gather inspiration and then head to the gallery to try something new.
A varied group of artists will be leading activities throughout the afternoon. Mixed-media artist Brittany Lopez Burton will introduce gel-plate printing, while visual artist Claire Davenport will help visitors experiment with simple animation techniques. Textile artist Coco Warner-Allen will bring embroidery into the drawing space, collage artist Sam Dodson will encourage cutting and sticking, and painter Vicki Cooke will run playful portrait-drawing sessions.
The event is free to attend, though organisers ask visitors to register in advance via Eventbrite. It takes place at the Great West Gallery, TW8 8LB.
The Big Draw Festival, founded in 2000, is the world’s largest celebration of drawing. Over the past 25 years it has reached more than 35 countries, connecting schools, galleries, museums, libraries, heritage sites, refugee organisations, outdoor spaces, artists, scientists and communities through thousands of creative events each October.
Brentford now joins that global map for the first time, inviting residents to take part in a day of open-ended, joyful mark-making.
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