Artist group Urban Sketchers Bahrain is set to celebrate International Urban Sketchers (USk) Week starting tomorrow – a global event dedicated to community, common spaces, and drawing.
The programme, which runs until May 7, will include guided live sketching sessions in public areas and group art excursions around nearby neighborhoods and monuments. Additionally, there will be ‘show and tell’ segments, where artists will talk about their development, narratives, and completed pieces.
Urban Sketchers Bahrain is a non-profit platform and part of the worldwide Urban Sketchers (USk) movement formed in 2007 by Seattle-based journalist and illustrator Gabriel Campanario. The idea is behind the initiative was to raise the artistic, storytelling and educational value of on-location drawing, connecting people worldwide.
“This year we will stage unique events to commemorate our accomplishments so far,” co-founder Sadeq Al Shehabi told GulfWeekly.
“These include ‘meet-the-community’ activities to welcome new artists, sketching challenges based on local architecture or landscapes and community exhibitions at Al Aali Mall where members can showcase their work,” he added.
Presently, there are around 50 members in the group founded two years ago by self-taught artist Ahmed Ali Alshakhoori. Since then, enthusiasts of all skill levels have come together every Friday to bring alive iconic locations in the kingdom. 
These include Bab Al Bahrain in Manama, Suq Al Baraha in Muharraq, Bahrain and Arad forts and the Grand Mosque on Al Fateh Highway, as well as indoor spots like The Avenues mall and Bahrain’s first homegrown donut chain Hole’n One in Adliya.
Over time, participants have created fond memories and forged deep bonds, true to the nature of the platform, establishing a culture of trust and belonging where sharing work, providing support, and appreciating artistic endeavours are ingrained.
An urban sketch is a drawing created on location – indoors or outdoors – capturing what the sketcher sees from direct observation. The essence of the style lies in its on-the-spot, agile nature.
“International USk Week is more than just a scheduled occasion for a lot of people. It is a vow to continue drawing in the upcoming months as well as a reflection of the previous year,” remarked Ahmed, who has been sketching for more than 45 years. As the group approaches its second anniversary, Sadeq noted that there is a great sense of pride and thankfulness among the members.  
“While two years might not seem like much to outsiders, it signifies a shared adventure for regular members – hundreds of outdoor sketches, many chats, and an expanding community that never stops supporting one another,” he said, highlighting the anticipation of what the future holds. 
Follow @uskbahrain for more information on their sessions.