Sketching at Swan Dive

 THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 2025 | 7:00-9:00PM

We’ll be returning to Swan Dive! 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.

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/

When: Thursday, August 28, 2025, 7-9pm

Host: Natalie (@natalie.dauntless)

Where: Swan Dive bar, 1631 Dundas St W, Toronto

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, likely at the pool table.

*****

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

USk Toronto Goes to Montreal!

 

Toronto sketchers, we are off to Montreal joining with USK Montreal, USK Kingston, and USK Ottawa for an afternoon of sketching on August 16th, 2025.

We will sketch in the area around Locks 1 and 2 of the Lachine Canal National Historic Site
in the Old Port of Montréal. The canal was an essential link for shipping between the port of
Montréal and the Great Lakes and is still open today for recreational boating. This year is the
200th anniversary of the Lachine Canal.

This historic district offers fabulous subjects to sketch. Within walking distance from our
meeting place you will find vestiges of 17th and 18th century New France, remnants of intense
industrial activity in the 19th century, and contemporary landmarks in the development of the port area for heritage and tourism.

There are museums, monuments, cafés, parks, shops, cobblestone streets, and lots of people
to sketch! See map for potential sketch spots.

When: Saturday, August 16, 2025 - 1-3:30pm

Hosts: John (@john_a_grace), Maria (@mariaoffin), Lauren (@lauren.fosterm), Vivian (@vfsoetikno), Natalie (@natalie.dauntless)

Where: Old Port, Montreal, QC

1pm - meet at Maison des Eclusiers (400 de la Commune St West) for a brief hello before dispersing to sketch individually or in small groups per preference.

3:30pm- Meet back at Maison des Eclusiers for a sketchbook throwdown and group photo.

Individuals are responsible for their own transportation and accommodations.

Be sure to tag @usktoronto on your social media posts.

*****

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.

[GROUP EXHIBITION] Lines of the City: Urban Sketches of Toronto

• Exhibition Dates: August 5 - September 27, 2025
• Location: Urbanspace Gallery, 401 Richmond Street West, Toronto
• Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8am-6pm. Closed Sundays

Our group exhibition at 401 Richmond is on now! This exhibition is a celebration of sketchers who join our meetups and show the vibrant, diverse, and ever-changing cityscape one line at a time. Whether the drawing is of Toronto landmarks, or coffee shops, restaurants and bars, all pieces in this exhibition were done on-location.

The exhibition is open until September 27, 2025 in the Urbanspace Gallery Corridor, during 401 Richmond’s opening hours of Monday-Saturday, 8am-6pm. They are closed on Sundays.

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who worked so hard over the weekend to coordinate the drop offs and setup! We’re excited for you all to enjoy the results.

Remember to tag us @usktoronto and @401richmond if you are posting photos of your visit! We’d love to see them.

Directions on how to find us within 401 Richmond!

*****

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.