What is Sketcher Fest?

Sketcher Fest brings together urban sketchers, travel sketchbook artists, art vendors, publishers and the general public during a weekend of workshops, exhibits and sketching activities in Edmonds, Washington, a city north of Seattle in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The first event of its kind in North America, Sketcher Fest blends the learning spirit of the Urban Sketchers Symposia with the festival atmosphere of the popular Carnet de Voyage events in France. The goal of Sketcher Fest is to celebrate art, travel and the practice of documenting people, places and culture in sketchbooks.

What can I do at Sketcher Fest?

Is there a hub for Sketcher Fest?

Graphite Arts Center is the event hub on Friday and Saturday. The Edmonds Waterfront Center is the meeting point for Sunday’s sketch walks and the venue for the Sketchbook Fest and Art Market.

How do I register to attend Sketcher Fest?

Sketcher Fest encompasses multiple events that you buy separate tickets for a la carte. This gives you flexibility to set up your own experience.

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Tickets

When and where do I buy Sketcher Fest tickets?

Tickets for the Opening Reception and the Saturday workshops are sold out. There are still tickets available for Sunday’s Sketchbook Fest, sketch walks and the Closing Reception at the Edmonds Waterfront Center.

The process to purchase tickets works like a regular online shopping cart. Here’s a preview:

After your ticket order is received and processed, you will receive a QR-code ticket via email. Print it or have it in your phone to check in for the event you purchased.

Do you expect to run out of tickets for some events?

We anticipate that tickets for some workshops may go fast (each workshop is limited to 15 participants). Tickets for other events are also limited due to the capacity of the venues. Please take the time to review the workshops programming closely so you are ready to make your choices when tickets go on sale.

How much do Sketcher Fest tickets cost?

Prices vary depending on the event you would like to attend. Sunday sketch walks led by members of the local urban sketching community are free. Outdoor sketching workshops taught by invited artists are $110 each. The Sunday Sketchbook Fest and Art Market inspired by the popular travel sketchbook festivals in France is $10. The Opening Reception is $10. The Closing Reception is $45.

Can I buy a ticket for someone else?

Yes, you can buy tickets for as many people as you’d like. When you do, you will be asked to provide attendee information for each ticket purchased. Please make sure this information is accurate.

I want to attend all Sketcher Fest events. Is there a ticket for that?

Because of the varied nature and capacity of each Sketcher Fest event, and the possibility of expanding our programming, we are unable to offer a single ticket valid for the entire festival. Tickets for all activities currently on the schedule add up to $285 (tax not included). 

Are tickets refundable? 

All ticket sales are final, but we may consider a refund due to special circumstances on a case by case basis.

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Workshops and programming

Where will the sketching workshops be?

Each workshop will take place at a location within walking distance from Graphite. Some will be in the downtown business district, others will be along the waterfront. Workshop attendees will meet their instructors at Graphite and walk as a group to their sketching location.

How many people can take a workshop?

Each workshop is limited to 15 participants.

What is the Sketchbook Fest and Art Market?

Think of this Sketcher Fest event as the Comic-Con of travel sketchbook artists. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Edmonds Waterfront Center, you can meet and greet artists exhibiting their travel sketchbooks at individual stations specially set up for the occasion. Books, prints and all the art supplies you may need for your own travel sketching will be available for sale.

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Travel and transportation

Where can I park in Edmonds?

Parking in the downtown Edmonds core is free but limited to 3 hours. It’s not uncommon for visitors driving to attend events in Edmonds to park a few blocks away from downtown and walk the rest of the way. For more parking information, visit the Downtown Edmonds Alliance website.

I’m coming from out of town. Do you have advice on where to stay in Edmonds?

The city’s tourism website has a list of places to stay, including the Best Western Plus Harbor Inn, which is within walking distance of Graphite Arts Center and the waterfront.

Is there public transportation to Edmonds?

It’s possible but neither easy nor fast to get to Edmonds by public transportation from Seattle, especially on weekends. Check information on Community Transit bus line 416 if you want to give it a try. Other options would include transfering from different buses or a combination of light rail and bus, with an average time to reach Edmonds of more than one hour.

Can I get to Edmonds by train?

The Amtrak Cascades line connects Eugene, Oregon, and Vancouver B.C. and has stops in Seattle and Edmonds.

Where can I find more information about Edmonds?

The city’s tourism website at visitedmonds.com is a good place to start researching your visit.

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Other

Who is organizing Sketcher Fest?

Sketcher Fest is the initiative of a small team of urban sketchers who want to bring the spirit of the European Carnet de Voyage festivals to the United States. The team includes Seattle-based journalist, illustrator and publisher Gabriel Campanario; Lisbon-based artist and educator Mário Linhares; Olympia-based artist Jane Wingfield; and Seattle architect and author Gail Wong. Organizing partners include Graphite Arts Center, Art Start Northwest, Sketcher Press and Urban Sketchers Seattle.

Are there sponsorship opportunities to support Sketcher Fest?

Yes. Contact us at info@sketcherfest.com.