USk Toronto x USk Taxco Postcard Exchange [International USk Week]

MAY 1-7, 2025

In celebration of International Urban Sketchers Week, we have partnered with USk Taxco to be pen pals and exchange urban sketching postcards! Participation is limited, so each participant will need to register here: https://forms.gle/FwGesRWr3sYvgavh7. Registration closes on May 2 at 11pm or when capacity is filled.

Taxco is a beautiful former silver mining town in Mexico, filled with elaborate architecture, red tiled roofs, whitewashed buildings, and magical mountainsides.

USk Toronto and USk Taxco will be creating sketches during International Sketching week, on May 3 and May 4 respectively. Each Toronto participant will be sending one postcard to USk Taxco, and receiving a postcard from one of Taxco's members in return at a later date.

We will be creating our sketches for this exchange on May 3, between 11am-3:30pm, during our Sketchwalk. Drop off the completed postcard at Berczy Park, to Natalie at 3:30pm or to our Volunteers throughout the Sketchwalk. Please have videos or photos taken of yourself sketching and send them to toronto.urbansketchers@gmail.com for a short video we will be sending to USk Taxco.  If you are unable to make the Sketchwalk or Swan Dive but want to participate, please indicate in the form.

Please tag us at @usktoronto and our friends at @urbansketcherstaxco when you are posting your sketch so we can see your sketches, and for a chance to be reposted! 

This event will be part of International Urban sketching Week. Use the hashtag #uskweek2025 to share your sketching stories – let’s show the world what urban sketching means to you!

More about International USk Week here: https://urbansketchers.org/international-urban-sketchers-week/

If you are no longer able to attend the Sketchwalk and/or no longer wish to participate, please edit your response or email toronto.urbansketchers@gmail.com. Feel free to email us with any questions.

When: May 1 from 7-9pm and May 3, 2025 from 11am-3:30pm, pickup/social May 25 at 3:30pm
Where: Creation/Dropoff at Sculptures of Wellington Sketchwalk or Swan Dive

Host: Natalie

IMPORTANT INFORMATION will be in the Google Form and provided to participants via email.

[RSVP REQUIRED] Sketching at Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra - International Urban Sketchers Week 2025

 SATURDAY MAY 3, 2025 | 7-10PM

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra has generously provided us with complimentary admission to their Journeys performance, available in limited quantity. Read carefully below. Please submit one form for EACH attendee so we can have an accurate headcount!  If you do not register, you may be turned away due to capacity.
Register Here: https://forms.gle/ncf3Xtd9aGrp1eMo8

If you are no longer able to attend, please edit your submission.

We've been invited back to see the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra! It's a community orchestra (mix of professionals, university music students and high level community amateurs) so there will be an interesting mix of faces and instruments to sketch. Featuring: Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, Ronald Royer, Conductor with Danielle MacMillan, Mezzo Soprano.

Please do not bring any wet media that can cause spillage or disruption. Kindly keep any wet media to a waterbrush only, dry media preferred.

Read more about the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra and the concert here: https://spo.ca/event/journeys/

This event will be part of International Urban sketching Week. Use the hashtag #uskweek2025 to share your sketching stories – let’s show the world what urban sketching means to you!
More about International USk Week here: https://urbansketchers.org/international-urban-sketchers.../

Schedule:
7:00pm - Please check in with Judy at the front to confirm attendance before proceeding to the box office to claim your complimentary ticket. Please note if you are late we cannot guarantee entrance. We'll be directed to various seats throughout the house with different views! Your placement will be up to the venue.
Please note due to the nature of this meetup there will be no meet-and-greet at the beginning. It will be moved to the end (after the performance).

7:30pm - Concert

10:00pm - We will meet in the lobby to share our sketches at the throwdown. Throwdown location subject to change; please check with Judy/Natalie

Where: The Salvation Army Scarborough Citadel
Address: 2021 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON
When: Saturday May 3, 7:30-10:00pm
Hosts: Judy Onody & Natalie Carvajal

Feel free to tag the Orchestra and USk Toronto so we can see your sketches, and for a chance to be reposted! @spogreatmusic & @usktoronto

*****

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

Sculptures of Wellington Sketchwalk - International Urban Sketchers Week 2025

 SATURDAY MAY 3, 2025 | 11AM-3:30PM

In celebration of International Urban Sketching Week, join us for a Sketchwalk along Wellington St W! Toronto’s Financial District has many iconic sculptures in an inspiring, bustling urban setting

More about International USk Week here: https://urbansketchers.org/international-urban-sketchers-week

Schedule:

11-11:45AM - David Pecaut Square (215 King St W)

12-12:35PM - Toronto-Dominion Centre (66 Wellington St W)

12:50-1:25PM - Commerce Court Courtyard (199 Bay St)

1:40-3:00pm - Berczy Park (35 Wellington St E)

3:00-3:30PM - Throwdown & Group Photo

Things to Remember:

• Feel free to join us or drop off at any time along the Sketchwalk
• We will be walking along the route mapped out above, pausing at each of the stops to sketch for the allotted amount of time
• Rain or shine. Bring water, umbrella, snacks, etc. and dress accordingly.
• This event is in celebration of International Urban Sketchers Week. use the hashtag #USkWeek2025 to share - let's show the world what urban sketching means to you!

*****

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 at Swan Dive - International Urban Sketchers Week 2025

 THURSDAY MAY 1, 2025 | 7-9PM

To kick off International Urban Sketchers Week, we'll be returning to Swan Dive! Let’s visit a Dundas West staple and support local. The Swan Dive bar is a cute spot with a chill atmosphere and cheap drinks. They have eclectic vintage decor, arcade games, and of course we’ll be sketching other sketchers. This is great opportunity to socialize and get to know each other.

Join us and use the hashtag #uskweek2025 to share your sketching stories – let’s show the world what urban sketching means to you!

The drink selection is extensive — they can make just about anything and around 25 different types of beers, as well as daily drink specials which I’ll be posting in the comments. There are non-alcoholic options as well. For food options they serve hot dogs, veggie dogs, pizza pockets & chips.

Please note:
1. We are sketchers as well as patrons of Swan Dive. Please do enjoy the space and its various food and beverage offerings.
2. **Cash only!** There is an ATM in the back and a Scotiabank across the street.
3. 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.

More about Swan Dive here: https://www.instagram.com/swandiveto/

More about International USk Week here: https://urbansketchers.org/international-urban-sketchers-week

7pm - Find a spot in the bar to sketch. Please feel free to sit with other sketchers and hangout. The host will be near the front to greet sketchers.

9pm - We’ll gather for a throwdown and group photo, exact spot to be determined. Check with Natalie.

When: May 1, 2025, 7-9pm
Where: Swan Dive bar, 1631 Dundas St W, Toronto
Host: Natalie (https://www.instagram.com/natalie.dauntless/)

*****

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