Drawing in Dust: Drop-In Study Break
Shannon Garden-Smith, Leaf, recueil de cartes III (dust), 2025. Archival digital print on 100% cotton, acid-free, hot press paper; pigmented sand dust on acrylic, 20” x 28”. Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid, courtesy MKG127.
Tuesday, December 15
Drop-in sessions: 1-3 pm, and 4-6 pm in the Scholars Lab Creation Suite on the ground floor of the D.B. Weldon Library.
All day, our fingers glide along the glass of our phone screens. We leave a temporary, ever-changing drawing in finger grease that indexes the movement required to swipe, tap, zoom, type, scroll.
As we move through cities, also comprised of so many surfaces of glass, drift particulate matter composed of tiny particles of dirt, sand, metal, skin and who knows what else, gradually settles onto our glass architectures, forming a drawing surface. In a new building, the dust surface might show evidence of an installer’s touch. Or, on a dusty storefront window, perhaps a passerby feels compelled to write a message, leave a handprint, draw a little symbol.
Take a break from studying and contribute to a collective, gestural drawing by leaving your traces in a surface covered in dust gathered from across campus. No experience or drawing skills required!
The artist will be present to guide the activity. Participants may come and go as they please, but will be required to wear gloves and dust masks while drawing. All materials will be provided.
The completed drawing will be installed as part of an artwork by Shannon Garden-Smith in the D.B. Weldon Library from January 14 - May 14, 2027. The installation will be part of The Fiction of Permanence, the winter exhibition at McIntosh Gallery.
Free | Open to the public
