Creatures of NY: Drawing Dogs
May 17, 2026 @ 3:00PM — 4:30PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
Stuyvesant Square Park - West Park: Rutherford Pl New York, NY 10003 Get Directions
Creatures of New York: Drawing Dogs
Stuyvesant Square Park Visual Art Workshop Series with Shawne Cooper
Sunday, May 17, 2026 • 3:00–4:30 PM
Join artist, writer, and educator Shawne Cooper for the first session of Creatures of New York, a playful new outdoor art workshop series in Stuyvesant Square Park.
This opening session, Drawing Dogs, introduces participants to the art of blind contour drawing—a relaxed, surprising technique that encourages slow looking, curiosity, and creative freedom rather than technical perfection. Together, we’ll observe some of the park’s most beloved visitors—dogs in motion and at rest—and create expressive drawings that capture personality, gesture, and energy.
Designed for all ages and all skill levels, these welcoming workshops invite participants to gather around communal tables, connect with neighbors, and experience the park in new ways through art, observation, and imagination.
No drawing experience necessary. Beginners, experienced artists, families, and curious park lovers are all welcome.
Participants are invited to attend one, two, or all three sessions in the series:
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Session 1 — Drawing Dogs
Blind Contour Drawing
Sunday, May 17 -
Session 2 — Stenciling Squirrels
Stencils & Layering
Sunday, June 28 -
Session 3 — Portraying Pigeons
Collage & Mixed Media
Sunday, July 12
About Shawne Cooper
Shawne Cooper is a New York City–based artist, writer, and educator who leads immersive sketching workshops and cultural adventures blending storytelling, visual journaling, and exploration. She has taught with organizations including Pratt Institute, the New York Public Library, and NYC Urban Sketchers, and has led workshops both across the United States and internationally.
A longtime Gramercy Park resident, Shawne has spent decades wandering through Stuyvesant Square Park, sketchbook in hand. This series is an invitation to slow down, look closely, and rediscover the everyday beauty of the neighborhood together. Find Shawne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wabisabinyc/.