Life Drawing: In-person at Xchanges

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Keep honing your art practice and meet new artists and models online with Xchanges Artists’ Gallery and Studios life drawing and portrait drawing drop in program

These sessions are non-instructed and designed to be super affordable and accessible. All levels from beginners to advanced are welcome to attend. These are non-instructed sessions. It’s a great place to meet other artists and hone your figurative skills in a supportive and creative environment.

In-Person Sessions on Monday and Wednesday every week — dates and times listed below. All sessions are subject to minimum participation. ⁠Please bring a copy of your receipt or order confirmation as proof of payment for the session you attend.

Doors open 30 minutes before the session start time; 6:30pm for Mondays and 9:30am for Wednesdays. Please plan to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes before the session start time. Facilitators start the sessions on time and late arrivals may be locked out and not be permitted entry, even if they are pre paid.

All participants should be 18 years or older; minors 15 years and above are welcome with parental supervision. Please contact us with any questions.

Participants are encouraged to share or post their drawings and art from the life drawing sessions on Facebook or send to us to post on Instagram!

In-Person Session Information

In-person sessions are currently held on Monday nights from 7 to 9 pm and Wednesday mornings from 10 am to 12 pm; doors open 30 minutes before the session start time

Mondays are “short pose” sessions and run a variety of poses ranging from 2 to 15 minutes; poses are timed by the facilitator
Wednesday sessions are “long pose” sessions where after a warm up, a pose is held for the session with a break at the 1 hour mark; the same pose may be replicated the following session

All participants should be 18 years or older; minors 15 years and above are welcome with parental supervision. Please contact us with any questions.

All sessions are held in the gallery at Xchanges, located at 2333 Government Street, Victoria, BC. Drawing boards, donkeys, and sculpture stands are provided. Participants provide their own drawing and art materials. Our models are asked to pose nude/undraped.

Cancellation

Xchanges may have to cancel a session due to lack of registration. Cancellation will be determined by the Coordinators and Facilitators; in some cases sessions will still run if the minimum number is not attained so that we can have continuity. Sessions that continually have low turn out will be cancelled.

Facility and Accessibility

Xchanges Gallery is located behind the former Gregg’s Furniture building at 2333 Government Street. The main gallery space is located on the second floor of the building and accessed exclusively by 2 flights of stairs with a landing. Unfortunately, there is no lift available and our location is not accessible to wheelchair users or other people with limited mobility. We apologize for the inconvenience.

There is on-site parking (limited during regular business hours), as well as space for locked bike storage behind the main gate. There are nearby bus lines on Bay Street and Douglas Street, as well as protected bike lanes on Government Street.

There are two single-occupancy washrooms located adjacent to the gallery.

Please be mindful of food and beverages in the gallery. This is a shared space, so we ask you to help keep the space clean and take any organic waste home with you.

Health and Safety Information

Xchanges is constantly monitoring and re-evaluating our Health and Safety Protocols for Life Drawing:

If you are feeling sick or have symptoms of Covid-19 or any other respiratory illness, please stay home
- If you have already pre-registered online, and have to miss a session due to illness, email xchangesgallery [at] gmail.com prior to the session to reschedule
Masks are now optional and personal choice
Remember to respect other people’s space and comfort levels
Facilitators will continue to keep the windows open for ventilation as the weather permits

Code of Conduct

Xchanges strives to protect everyone’s privacy online and in the Gallery. Photography, video recording or screen captures are prohibited at all Life Drawing sessions; Xchanges will enforce this policy to the best of its ability

Xchanges has a zero tolerance policy for discrimination based on race, national, or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or any of the prohibited grounds covered by the Canadian Human Rights Act

All life drawing participants including facilitators, models, and the public are expected to abide by these standards; any issues should be reported immediately to the Program Coordinator.

Payment and Registration Information

Space for drop in participants is limited; participants are encouraged to pre-register online via the Xchanges Square store to ensure a seat. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before the session start time; late arrivals may not be permitted entry.

Cash payments are not permitted. All registrations must be done through the online store or though the Square POS terminal at Xchanges (debit or credit cards accepted). All registrations are sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

All participants need to show their purchase receipt from Square at the door—either print it out or show it on your phone.