The last day of the 13th Urban Sketchers International Symposium in Poland!

by Anka Ziętkiewicz

The last day of the symposium. I was very tired and sleep-deprived, but I wanted to see Detlef Surrey’s lecture (and sketch it, of course).
I already knew Detlef’s drawings about the Berlin Wall.

During the lecture, the pointer broke. Bad for Detlef, but not for me, because Detlef started waving his arms energetically, and I was able to draw it.

Then I rode my bike to the meeting place and found Peter Rush’s workshop group. Everyone set off on a brisk walk with stops during which I struggled to sketch anything, but I finally managed.

Probably the best sketch of the day.

Having sketches from one lecture and one workshop that day, I set off in search of Maru Godas. Later, it turned out she wasn’t having any workshops that day, so I wasted a lot of time and energy searching for her. During my search, I came across Inma Serrano’s workshop group in a very interesting place that I like – the market in Wielkopolski Square (Plac Wielkopolski). They sell pretty good coffee at the booth there (and really good pizza, be sure to try it if you’re ever in Poznań again; cash only! :)!) I drank my coffee and started working again.
Soon, Roger, the other symposium correspondent, arrived. He had planned to sketch something from this particular workshop, and he was a bit surprised to see me.

I finished my sketch and went in search of Maru Godas’s workshop (which, as you remember, wasn’t there that day). I searched the Old Market Square, then decided to check out Stary Browar.

Suddenly, I saw Maru and sketched her quickly, just in case…

…and then again in more detail.

I saw that another group had gathered – it was Olivia Marcus’s workshop. I sketched the group and the volunteer, Michael Persch, whom I’d met at some great sketching events in Świdnica, Poland.

A bit tired, I went to grab a bite to eat to get through to the Closing Reception. I don’t remember much from Closing Reception, except that I tried to sketch something else, but I had no energy left. I mobilized myself to draw Dora Pindur playing the violin with her friend Ostap.

The next symposium will be in Toulouse. Congratulations!

I’m very happy that the 13th Urban Sketchers International Symposium took place in Poland, in my city, Poznań. To be a local correspondent was an extraordinary experience, very satisfying, but also exhausting. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to meet more sketchers or talk more.

I hope the participants enjoyed Poznań; I’m currently viewing their sketches on Facebook and I’m delighted with them.

And that’s all from me, I guess. See you at sketchers meetings! Someday, somewhere!