The First United Methodist Church of Alexandria (FUMCA) Urban Sketching Art Ministry, led by Artist-in-Residence Rev. Jean Sanders, continues to welcome the public to free creative sketch gatherings throughout the Alexandria–Pineville area. Through partnerships with local organizations and neighborhood events, the ministry offers opportunities for people of all experience levels to slow down, observe, and connect through art.
The next gathering, “Sketchin’ in the Neighborhood – Part 2,” will take place Saturday, July 18, at 9:00 a.m. Participants will meet at 822 Bush Avenue in Alexandria, with parking available in front of Rugg Elementary School. The morning will explore Alexandria’s historic Garden District through on-location sketching in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite sketching supplies, though newcomers are always welcome.
Since launching in October 2025, the FUMCA Urban Sketching Art Ministry has continued to grow through collaborations with community partners across Central Louisiana. Recent gatherings have included sketching during the Alexandria Farmers Market on the FUMCA campus, coffee and sketching at Tamp & Grind Coffee, an educational outing at the Alexandria Museum of Art, participation in The Original Holi Fest Cenla, and neighborhood sketch walks throughout Alexandria.
The ministry emphasizes accessibility rather than artistic experience, encouraging participants of all skill levels to engage in drawing as a practice of observation, presence, and community connection. All gatherings remain free, with community partnerships helping remove barriers to participation.
What is Urban Sketching?
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.
Through neighborhood sketch walks and partnerships with organizations and events throughout the region, the FUMCA Urban Sketching Art Ministry continues to foster accessible spaces for creative expression while strengthening connections between art, spirituality, and the community.