the big draw japan 2017

A big thank you to all the trailblazers who braved the typhoon and joined us for the very first Big Draw in Japan!

We celebrated the world’s largest drawing festival at the beautiful Toriizaka Art Gallery this October. Where will we be in 2018? Stay tuned to find out!

Details & Enquiries: info@divyamariekato.com

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“I have drawn things since I was six. All that I made before the age of sixty-five is not worth counting. At seventy-three I began to understand the true construction of animals, plants, trees, birds, fishes, and insects. At ninety I will enter into the secret of things. At a hundred and ten, everything–every dot, every dash–will live.” ― Hokusai Katsushika

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The Big Draw is the world’s biggest drawing festival and this year…

we’re bringing it to Japan!

Two of Tokyo’s female entrepreneurs, Divya Marie Kato of When In Doubt, Draw and Karen Thomas of Toriizaka Art are coming together to host The Big Draw Japan 2017 as part of the International Animated Big Draw Festival this October, called Living Lines.

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The Big Draw Festival

The Big Draw Festival takes place for 31 days from 1-31 October 2017. Since 2000, the annual, international celebration of drawing, which brings people together under the banner drawing is a universal language, regularly takes place in over 25 countries, involves over 1000 events and has encouraged over 4 million people back to the drawing board.

It has notched up two world records – for the longest drawing in the world (one kilometre) and the greatest number of people drawing simultaneously (over 7,000).

Arts education charity, The Big Draw, believes that everyone can draw. They promote drawing as a universal language that has the power to change lives and unite people of any age, background, race, or religion from around the globe. Anyone can register or attend an event as part of the festival.

The first Big Draw Festival in 2000 attracted 180 partner organisations. Since then, the number has risen to over 1,000, with over 400,000 people participating each year. What began as a one day celebration of drawing in October 2000 in the UK, is now an annual month long festival of drawing across the world.

Patrons include Quentin Blake, Andrew Marr, Bob & Roberta Smith RA, Lord Foster of Thames Bank, David Hockney OM CH, Sir Roger Penrose OM, Gerald Scarfe CBE, Posy Simmonds MBE and Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell.

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The Big Draw Japan 2017

Sunday October 22nd 2-4pm 2017

Venue: Toriizaka Art

Fee: ¥1000*

Toriizaka Art | Homat Monarch #105 | 2-20-13 Hiroo | Shibuya-ku | Tokyo 150-0012

*exact change please

Schools: Want to get involved or have a drawing event at your school in October?
Contact: info@divyamariekato.com to get Divya to come and facilitate a workshop at your school!

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Kate Mason, Director of The Big Draw:
“As always, The Big Draw Festival is for anyone who loves to draw, as well as those who think they can’t! For 31 days in over 25 countries, Living Lines: An Animated Big Draw Festival will bring together hundreds of thousands of people to learn, experiment and bring ideas to life through drawing and animation.

Whether organising or participating, Living Lines is an opportunity for individuals, organisations and even countries to join a global community in celebration of the universal language of drawing.”

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To find out more about the Big Draw Festival and The Big Draw Japan 2017 visit:

Link to event listing on www.thebigdraw.org

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For further information about The Big Draw Japan 2017 contact organisers:

Divya Marie Kato (English) info@divyamariekato.com
Masahiro Kato (Japanese) info@divyamariekato.com

The Big Draw Japan 2017 will be hosted by artist and founder of When In Doubt, Draw, Divya Marie Kato and founder of Toriizaka Art, Karen Thomas, in Tokyo Sunday October 22nd at Toriizaka Art 2-4pm ¥1000* (*exact change please)

Toriizaka Art | Homat Monarch #105 | 2-20-13 Hiroo | Shibuya-ku | Tokyo 150-0012

For further information about The Big Draw Festival, contact:
Amy Clancy, Press and Communications Manager, The Big Draw
Tel. 0203 758 4118 | Email: amy@thebigdraw.org | Website: www.thebigdraw.org

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Notes To Editors:

The Big Draw Japan 2017
Sunday October 22nd 2-4pm ¥1000 (exact change please) at Toriizaka Art, Hiro-o
Hosted by Divya Marie Kato of When In Doubt, Draw & Karen Thomas of Toriizaka Art

Toriizaka Art | Homat Monarch #105 | 2-20-13 Hiroo | Shibuya-ku | Tokyo 150-0012

Booking: Email info@divyamariekato.com

Link to event listing on The Big Draw Website

Artist and Founder of When In Doubt, Draw, Divya Marie Kato FRSA, brings the world’s biggest drawing festival to Japan! Divya has been sharing drawing through classes and events for over 11 years in Japan and is a passionate advocate for elevating the role of art in education and making it accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Karen Thomas, Founder of Toriizaka Art, our venue for The Big Draw Japan 2017, started her gallery our of her passion to share art with others. Since opening its doors in 2006, Toriizaka Art has welcomed thousands of guests into its modest gallery space in central Tokyo.

The gallery, featuring a diverse selection of exceptional art, primarily from Vietnam, is a stunning testament to how living with art transforms your whole life and is the perfect place for us to gather for The Big Draw Japan 2017! The event is open to anyone who loves to draw, as well as those who think they can’t! It’s an opportunity to join a global community in celebration of the universal language of drawing. Bring nothing but a willingness to create, connect and celebrate!

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Always wanted to draw, but think you’re not good enough?

Draw when you were a kid, but left it behind?

Heard all these great things about creativity…

But don’t know where to start or it’s been a while?

Our Dream: Getting The World Drawing

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