Sketching (New) City Hall

       SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026 | 1:00-3:00PM

Let’s explore the inside of this stunning public building that’s the centre of Toronto’s civic life!

In addition to being the home of City Council, City Hall is where residents can take part in meetings, apply for permits, visit the library branch and even get married. We are welcome to visit a number of spaces on the first and second floors. The offices of the Mayor and the 25 City Councillors are on the second floor.

For more info on the building: https://www.toronto.ca/.../city.../tours-points-of-interest/

Note* visitors would need to go through airport-style security check. Please keep your sketch materials and equipment minimal. Small portable sketch chairs, however, are welcome.

Where: 100 Queen St West
When: Saturday, March 14, 2026 1-3pm
Hosts: Vivian and Natalie

1pm: Hosts will be inside the security check point for 10 minutes. Optionally come by and say hi before dispersing to sketch individually or in small groups.

3pm: Meet OUTSIDE of the building’s front entrance for our sketch throwdown and group photo.

As mentioned, your sketch chairs are welcome, but please do not block pedestrian traffic and treat security with courtesy.

Tag @cityofto and @mayoroliviachow in your social media posts - let’s flood Toronto with our urban sketches.

*****

Urban Sketchers Manifesto
1. We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation.
2. Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live, and where we travel.
3. Our drawings are a record of time and place.
4. We are truthful to the scenes we witness.
5. We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles.
6. We support each other and draw together.
7. We share our drawings online.
8. We show the world, one drawing at a time.

*****

Disclaimer
By participating in any events organized by Urban Sketchers Toronto (USk Toronto, USk TO), you agree to the following:

USk TO events are provided with no special warranty either expressed or implied.

You assume all risks while participating in the event. All participants must use care and good judgment and must obey the USk Manifesto, all rules and regulations of USk Toronto and the City of Toronto.
USk Toronto reserves the right to reject any participant who is causing disruption of activities during the event.

USk Toronto, including but not limited to the organizers, committee members, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, etc., assume no liability for any loss, theft, damage, or injury to property or persons, including death, whether arising in contract, negligence, equity, or otherwise.

USk Toronto reserves the right to post any pictures and videos taken during the events on social media without asking permission of each individual present in the material. (Discretion will be applied, where appropriate.)

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: BY PARTICIPATING IN USK TORONTO EVENTS, YOU ARE GIVING UP ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE CLAIMS THAT YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE ORGANIZERS

Sketching Sneaky Dee's

      WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026 | 6:00-8:00PM

It’s been over 3 months since our last visit to this legendary Toronto punk rock dive bar. Many people missed out last time, here’s an opportunity to capture the bar’s eclectic decor and colourful scene. We also scheduled this meetup to coincide with the #1week100people challenge. How many people would you be able to capture during this meetup?

Sneaky Dee’s is well known for its nachos and we will be visiting on their nachos specials night that’s guaranteed to be popular. There are no special spots reserved for USK Toronto. Please come as early as you can to secure your own spot. Do be kind and patient with the bar hosts and servers, as this will be one of their busier nights.

While you wait, sketch! This is also a great opportunity to socialize and get to know each other.

Share your sketching stories at Dee’s by tagging @usktoronto and @thesneakydees on Instagram.

Please note:
1. We are sketchers as well as patrons of the bar. Please do enjoy the space and its various food and beverage offerings.
2. Please keep drawing materials and equipment to a minimum as we will be at a bar with other patrons and the tables are sized as such.

6pm - Find a spot in the bar to sketch. Please feel free to sit with other sketchers and hang out. Host Vivian will initially be at the bar.

8pm - We’ll gather for a throwdown and group photo, exact spot to be determined. Check with Vivian.

When: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - 6-8pm
Where: Sneaky Dee’s -431 College Street, Toronto
Hosts: Vivian

Cover photo courtesy of Lauren Tregenza @lauren.tregz

*****

Urban Sketchers Manifesto
1. We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation.
2. Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live, and where we travel.
3. Our drawings are a record of time and place.
4. We are truthful to the scenes we witness.
5. We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles.
6. We support each other and draw together.
7. We share our drawings online.
8. We show the world, one drawing at a time.

*****

Disclaimer
By participating in any events organized by Urban Sketchers Toronto (USk Toronto, USk TO), you agree to the following:

USk TO events are provided with no special warranty either expressed or implied.

You assume all risks while participating in the event. All participants must use care and good judgment and must obey the USk Manifesto, all rules and regulations of USk Toronto and the City of Toronto.
USk Toronto reserves the right to reject any participant who is causing disruption of activities during the event.

USk Toronto, including but not limited to the organizers, committee members, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, etc., assume no liability for any loss, theft, damage, or injury to property or persons, including death, whether arising in contract, negligence, equity, or otherwise.

USk Toronto reserves the right to post any pictures and videos taken during the events on social media without asking permission of each individual present in the material. (Discretion will be applied, where appropriate.)

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: BY PARTICIPATING IN USK TORONTO EVENTS, YOU ARE GIVING UP ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE CLAIMS THAT YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE ORGANIZERS

[SIGN-UP REQUIRED] Orchestra Toronto - Live Sketching at Dress Rehearsal

      SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2026 | 10:30AM-12:45PM

We have been invited to sketch by Orchestra Toronto as they rehearse Exploration of the Soul: Tchaikovsky & Adler. This is an exciting opportunity to capture the dynamic energy of the musicians during soundcheck and rehearsal, offering both creative inspiration and a behind-the-scenes view of the orchestra in action.

Sign-up is required via this Google Form
Sign-up closes: February 27, 2026.

Please note: This event takes place at Meridian Arts Centre (5040 Yonge Street, North York) — not Meridian Hall.

Orchestra Toronto is also offering a discount code for concert tickets later in the day, available exclusively to participating sketchers.

Event Details

Event: Orchestra Toronto Dress Rehearsal / Soundcheck
Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:45 PM
(Concert begins at 3:00 PM for those who have purchased tickets)
Location: Meridian Arts Centre (5040 Yonge Street, North York)

Schedule

10:30 AM
Meet at the Stage Entrance Area / Auditorium of Meridian Arts Centre for check-in and a brief orientation with the host (Sonya - co-hosted by Natalie).

10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Artists arrive and find their preferred sketching locations. Sketching runs concurrently with soundcheck. Artists may move throughout the audience seating and balcony to sketch from their preferred vantage points.

12:15 PM – 12:30 PM
Exit the hall for the throwdown and group photo.

Optional: Artwork Display

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Setup & Display Installation

Orchestra Toronto will host a pre-concert display of submitted artwork.

Sketches will be mounted using foam core and adhesive (painter’s tape)
Artists may stand by their displayed work during setup and/or leave:
A business card
Email address
Instagram handle
(on a separate card or directly on their work)
Displays are for exhibition only and not for sale
(unless contacted privately after the event)

Please note that artists are responsible for picking up their own artwork following the throwdown.
Artists may choose to leave their work with Sonya after the event for temporary display and later return. However, by doing so, you acknowledge that the artwork remains your responsibility.
Neither Sonya nor Urban Sketchers Toronto assumes any responsibility or liability for loss, damage, or unclaimed artwork left after the event. It is your responsibility to ensure your work is collected in a timely manner.

More information about the performance:

https://www.orchestratoronto.ca/concert-exploration-of-the-soul-tchaikovsky-adler

*****

Urban Sketchers Manifesto
1. We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation.
2. Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live, and where we travel.
3. Our drawings are a record of time and place.
4. We are truthful to the scenes we witness.
5. We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles.
6. We support each other and draw together.
7. We share our drawings online.
8. We show the world, one drawing at a time.

*****

Disclaimer
By participating in any events organized by Urban Sketchers Toronto (USk Toronto, USk TO), you agree to the following:

USk TO events are provided with no special warranty either expressed or implied.

You assume all risks while participating in the event. All participants must use care and good judgment and must obey the USk Manifesto, all rules and regulations of USk Toronto and the City of Toronto.
USk Toronto reserves the right to reject any participant who is causing disruption of activities during the event.

USk Toronto, including but not limited to the organizers, committee members, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, etc., assume no liability for any loss, theft, damage, or injury to property or persons, including death, whether arising in contract, negligence, equity, or otherwise.

USk Toronto reserves the right to post any pictures and videos taken during the events on social media without asking permission of each individual present in the material. (Discretion will be applied, where appropriate.)

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: BY PARTICIPATING IN USK TORONTO EVENTS, YOU ARE GIVING UP ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE CLAIMS THAT YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE ORGANIZERS

Call for Writers for our Q1 Newsletter!

 

We’re putting together our Q1 community newsletter and would love to hear from you.

Send us your:

• Short article or sketch of a fun USk Toronto sketching experience
• Personal urban sketch moment or observations while out and about
• Meetup/event experience
• Cool urban sketching tip/technique
• Reportage, etc…get creative!

Deadline is March 21, 2026

All articles should include 1 accompanying image, whether a sketch or photo. Feel free to email us with any questions.

Please ensure your submission follows the Urban Sketchers Manifesto.

toronto.urbansketchers@gmail.com