Open Figure Drawing Inc. organized a special event at the NY State Fair for the first time this year. Six artists spent a sunny Saturday afternoon drawing at the Pan African Village and hung the sketches and paintings on the nearby fence. Four models (Jackie, Ros, Quay, and Michelle) were there, wrapped in colorful textiles and posing with drums in front of the African hut.

The Village had a lot of people coming through, Caribbean food vendors, concerts playing, and a drum circle - all this provided a lively background for making art in public. Many people looked over the artists' shoulders and some expressed interest in attending the Wednesday night sessions. Two young sisters liked the idea of drawing from life so much they asked to do it too with some borrowed materials from the artists.

Special thanks to Mardea Warner who supplied the artists and models with free tickets and passes for parking, and for supporting OFD's efforts to bring awareness of this traditional art form to the public.