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The Big Draw:
people, creatures and green things An artist residency at the Substation, Roslindale January through March, 2026 The Big Draw, a community based drawing project, is inspired by the inhabitants of Roslindale Village and neighboring Arnold Arboretum: the plants, animals and people who call its hills home. During a 3-month artist residency sited at The Substation in Roslindale, Meg Rotzel, Bonnie Duncan and The Gottabees highlighted the neighborhood’s habitats and vitality. Throughout the residency we Meg generated drawings and Bonnie designed performance elements by hosting community drawing events with The Gottabees which produced a large-scale drawing by Meg Rotzel. This monumental drawing, an ode to life in the neighborhood, was presented in the heart of Roslindale on The Substation’s prominent window that overlooks Adam’s Park during the dark winter months of 2026. |
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What exactly happens at The Big Draw?
The Big Draw is an intergenerational community event where participants are verbally guided with care (and flair!) through a movement warm-up and a collective drawing experience that ends with a shadow puppetry performance. Each moment is carefully crafted so that participants can enjoy and savor creating and celebrating something special in community with their neighbors, friends, and families. |
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Here are some highlights from our community draw on Saturday January 24, 2026:
| The Big Draw Information Packet |
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This program is supported by a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and the City of Boston.
This program is also supported by Substation Community Supporters.
Illustration by Meg Rotzel
photos from The Big Draw with The Gottabees & Meg Rotzel at The Substation by Evelyn Jackson
photos from The Big Draw with The Gottabees & Meg Rotzel at The Substation by Evelyn Jackson