The First United Methodist Church of Alexandria (FUMCA) Art Ministry, led by Artist-in-Residence Rev. Jean Sanders, continues to offer free art experiences and education in the Alexandria–Pineville area.

Next up is the Pop-Up Art Party, a hands-on art session designed to make creative expression accessible, communal, and un-intimidating. “Paper Mâché with Rev. Jean,” will be held Monday, May 11 at 5:30 PM on the FUMCA campus (2727 Jackson Street). Using newspaper, paste, and basic supplies, participants will build sculptural forms from ordinary materials. No prior art experience is required, and all supplies are provided.

These parties are intentionally simple in structure and generous in spirit. Participants work with everyday materials, often recycled or easily found, and are invited to explore without pressure to produce finished or “polished” work. The focus is on making, sharing space, and discovering creativity in real time. Registration information at fumca.org/art. 

Alongside these campus-based events, the Urban Sketching group continues to grow as it brings creative practice into public life. Rather than focusing on studio work, participants draw directly from experience—streets, markets, events, and community spaces—capturing what is unfolding in real time. The public is always invited to participate in free creative sketch gatherings throughout the Alexandria–Pineville area. Through partnerships with local community spaces and events, the group creates welcoming opportunities for people of all experience levels to draw, observe, and connect. 

The next meet-up will take place Saturday, May 16, at 10 AM, as Urban Sketchers meet at The Original Holi Fest Cenla in downtown Alexandria. Participants will gather at the intersection of 2nd Street and DeSoto Street, with free parking available by the levee across 2nd Street from the Hotel Bentley. From there, sketchers will take to the streets to capture one of downtown’s most vibrant and unique cultural celebrations. Urban Sketchers will be capturing The Original Holi Fest Cenla, a community-wide celebration centered on unity, diversity, and cultural awareness. The event benefits the Children’s Advocacy Network, supporting its mission to help heal and champion abused and neglected children throughout Central Louisiana. Hosted in partnership with local organizations, the festival features a 4K color walk/run, live music and dance, family-friendly activities, and Indian cuisine, culminating in a public “play colors” experience. The event offers a dynamic setting filled with color, movement, and community; an ideal environment for urban sketching. Participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies if they have them, though materials and guidance will be available for those who are new. As always, the event is free and open to all.  No registration required to sketch.

At its core, urban sketching is the practice of drawing on location—indoors or outdoors—capturing what the artist sees through direct observation. It is about recording time and place: something happening, somewhere, at a specific moment. Urban sketchers may use any medium, and the goal is not a polished, expertly executed finished piece. Instead, the focus is on capturing the essence of the moment. A drawing might be quick and loose with a short caption, or it may be developed more fully while remaining on site. As long as the drawing is created from firsthand observation and reflects lived experience, it qualifies as urban sketching. 

While including the date or location is not required, written notes often help strengthen the storytelling aspect of the work. Unlike plein-air painting, which typically emphasizes aesthetic outcome, urban sketching prioritizes witnessing, documentation, and narrative. Urban sketching does not have to take place in a city. It can occur in urban, rural, or natural environments. The defining element is simply drawing on location to tell the story of a place in real time. In its narrative form, sometimes called reportage, urban sketching combines drawing with short written commentary to provide a visual account of events, culture, and everyday life. 

FUMCA’s Urban Sketching Art Ministry continues to build momentum through these kinds of community collaborations. Recent meet-ups included a pop-up session at the Alexandria Farmers Market on the FUMCA campus, coffee and sketching at Tamp & Grind Coffee, and a gathering at the Alexandria Museum of Art. Since launching in October 2025, the group has emphasized accessibility, welcoming participants of all skill levels to engage in drawing as a practice of observation, presence, and community connection. All events remain free, with community partnerships helping remove barriers to participation. 

Through showing up to support the Original Holi Fest Cenla and other community events throughout the year, the FUMCA Urban Sketching Art Ministry continues to foster accessible spaces for creative expression while making connections between art, spirituality, and community life.