Big Draw 2003 Scotland Launch

The launch of The Big Draw 2003 in Scotland was organised by Aberdeen Art Gallery, the University of Aberdeen and the Bon Accord Shopping Centre.

Using an open space in the shoping centre allowed members of the public to work with artists and scientists, drawing objects from the university's natural history collections.

The delight experienced and expressed by participants was real and wonderful to see. Two children worked away ferociously on extraordinary pieces with one saying that it was the first drawing he had ever done (?!) and the other asking if he could do it again next year, if not before.

An older lady with learning disabilities drew in the morning and then came back in the afternoon for another go, ably helped and guided by students and artists.

Aberdeen Art Gallery then undertook a project in Aberdeen Children's Hospital introducing children - who might otherwise have had little or nothing to do and who often feel sad and neglected - to the delights of drawing. The format was postcards and the work produced was sent to similar children, also working under the aegis of The Big Draw, at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin.