Creatures of New York: Drawing Dogs
Stuyvesant Square Park Visual Art Workshop Series with Shawne Cooper
Sunday, May 17, 2026 • 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Stuyvesant Square Park becomes an open-air art studio this spring and summer with Creatures of New York, a new interactive visual art workshop series led by artist and educator Shawne Cooper.
Each 90-minute session explores one of the park’s familiar “creatures”—dogs, squirrels, and pigeons—through a different playful, accessible art-making technique designed for all ages and experience levels.
The first session, Drawing Dogs, focuses on blind contour drawing, an intuitive technique that encourages participants to observe slowly and draw freely without worrying about perfection. By keeping eyes on the subject rather than the page, participants often create lively, unexpected drawings full of movement and personality.
Dogs are among the park’s most expressive and beloved residents, making them ideal creative companions for this opening session. Participants will observe dogs in motion and at rest while exploring gesture, energy, and close observation in a relaxed, supportive environment.
The series emphasizes curiosity, creative confidence, and community connection rather than technical skill. Everyone is welcome—from first-time sketchers to experienced artists.
All materials will be provided. Just bring your creativity, curiosity, and openness to see man’s best friend in a new light under the beautiful trees of our favorite park.
Upcoming Sessions
Shaping Squirrels - RSVP here
Stencils & Layering
Sunday, June 28, 2026, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Portraying Pigeons - RSVP here
Collage & Mixed Media
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Participants are welcome to attend one session or the full series.
About Shawne Cooper
Shawne Cooper is a New York City–based artist, writer, and educator who leads immersive sketching workshops and cultural adventures that combine storytelling, visual journaling, and exploration. She has taught with Pratt Institute, the New York Public Library, NYC Urban Sketchers, and internationally in Italy and Hawaii.
A longtime resident of the Gramercy Park neighborhood, Shawne has been exploring and sketching in Stuyvesant Square Park for decades. Through this series, she hopes to help participants discover fresh ways of seeing the park—and the city around them.