Meet the Amsterdam symposium correspondents

At the end of a highly competitive, rigorous selection
process, three outstanding candidates were chosen to cover the Amsterdam
symposium as correspondents: Mark
Anderson (Liberty, Missouri, USA), Mariia
Ermilova (Tokyo) and Gwen Glotin
(Amsterdam). The USk Editorial Team and Executive Board are pleased to have
selected a strong, committed team for the important volunteer role of reporting
on the 10^th annual USk Symposium.

Mark Anderson

Mark Anderson, a
writer for the USk monthly newsletter, Drawing
Attention, considers himself “a simple storyteller. Anecdotes,
observations, and experiences: my sketchbook is a narrative reaction to the
people and places I encounter, the day-to-day reaction to that which is in
front of me.” The sketches in his application impressed the Editorial Team with
that storytelling aspect. Sweating on a hot day at a farmers’ market, he
closely observes a woman in “a long-sleeve wool cardigan, shawl and head wrap” and
captures her with deft lines. It’s a sketch with character, context and
activity (shown at top of post).

Mark is eager to tell the stories of sketchers through his
coverage in Amsterdam. “There’s little doubt in my mind that each of us comes
to Urban Sketchers with a different purpose in mind,” he said, “and it’s that
varied experience I feel needs to be shared. It’s the story of us.”

Sketch of Matsudo festival by Mariia Ermilova

Mariia Ermilova

Mariia Ermilova,
a Russian national living in Tokyo, is a correspondent for USk Japan. Pursuing
a Ph.D. in urban planning, Mariia combines her passion for sketching with an
interest in “applying urban sketching in the community design context.” Her correspondent
application included vivid sketches and stories from her participation in a
local traditional festival in Matsudo. “I was invited, because as a student I
am involved with social projects in this neighborhood. Festival is a chance to
meet and chat with all community members. We change clothes in the tatami room.
Everyone is wearing the festival special clothes.” 

“I am interested in becoming an USk Symposium correspondent
because I want to meet sketchers from around the world,” Mariia said, “to
connect with them and to discuss the meaning of urban sketching as a ‘soft
power’ to protect the historical meaning of urban communities’ neighborhoods
and architecture.”

Gwen Glotin has a
unique, crucial role on the team. Not only will she cover the events herself with
sketches and writing; she is also responsible for helping her teammates
efficiently learn their way around the symposium neighborhood. Originally from
France, Gwen has been an Amsterdam resident for nearly 20 years.

“I love that city,”
she said of her home. “I live around 15 minutes away (by bicycle of course –
what else!) from the neighbourhood where the symposium will take place, and I
have sketched there regularly and will continue to do so: It’s a neighbourhood
where everything is sketchable!”

The Symposium Correspondents program, which provides travel
and lodging to international correspondents and an honorarium to the local
correspondent, was launched in 2011 in Lisbon. The program’s goal is to bring
attention to the storytelling possibilities of urban sketching, especially in
covering an event.

In response to the rigorous requirements, the Editorial Team
received many impressive applications, which made its decision extremely
difficult. “We appreciate the time and enthusiasm that all of the candidates
put into their applications,” said editor Tina Koyama.