Drawing Marathon Brings Eight Hours of Non-Stop Creativity to Campus

The Summer Circle Theatre Courtyard at Michigan State University will be a hub of creativity as people from across campus and the community come together to draw and create during the annual Drawing Marathon hosted by MSU’s Department of Art, Art History, and Design.

This free event will feature hands-on art activities, live models, music, and drawing opportunities for participants of all experience levels. The Drawing Marathon will take place Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the event of rain, it will move inside the Kresge Art Center.

A student wearing a red shirt and backpack works on a large black-and-white drawing mounted on an outdoor easel during the MSU Drawing Marathon.
The 2026 Drawing Marathon runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Summer Circle Theatre Courtyard, located in front of the Kresge Art Center on MSU’s campus.

The public is invited to stop by and participate in the Drawing Marathon at any point during the eight hours, with drawing supplies provided throughout the day. Participants also are welcome to bring their own materials. A DJ from Impact 89FM will provide music.

The event will showcase the work and talent of multiple areas within the Department of Art, Art History, and Design and beyond. Students and faculty from Ceramics, Art Education, Photography, and Printmaking will lead hands-on activities, with supplies available for participants. MSU Surplus also will host drawing-based activities using a variety of materials.

“We want the Drawing Marathon to be a wholistic, art-inclusive event. The activities all utilize drawing in some way and highlight the importance of drawing to every artistic practice.”

Candice Chovanec, Assistant Professor in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design

Live models will be featured throughout the day, including students from MSU’s Department of Theatre and MSU’s Dance Program who will perform for participants to draw. The MSU Kresge Art Store also will hold a raffle, giving students the chance to win a gift card and a gift basket filled with art supplies.

“We want the Drawing Marathon to be a wholistic, art-inclusive event,” said Candice Chovanec, Assistant Professor in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design, who is organizing this year’s marathon. “The activities all utilize drawing in some way and highlight the importance of drawing to every artistic practice. We hope everyone finds something to spark their own creative expression.”

The Summer Circle Theatre Courtyard is located on MSU’s campus in front of the Kresge Art Center, which is the home of the Department of Art, Art History, and Design. The department has organized the Drawing Marathon since 2006.

By Kim Popiolek