The CU has a drawing club called “Fine Lines and Shadows.” It is a student club that is 2 years old. It was begun by students in the Architecture School who wish to expand opportunities to draw for all students and staff. They are now expanding the group to include alumni. The club is led by two students, Asialy Bracey-Gardella and James Roberts and two staff members, Mauricio Higuera and Robyn Fitzsimmons. It meets on Fridays from 5 to 8 PM while school is in session. A model, materials, and food are supplied. Occasionally the group meets off-site. The “Field Trips” are included on the club schedule. Alumni are welcome, but must register. Financial donations are welcomed.
Invitation to Alumni: Come Draw with Us!
Dear Cooper Union Alumni,
We invite you to join the Fine Lines and Shadows Drawing Group for our upcoming events, particularly our field trip to the American Museum of Natural History on , 2025. This trip provides an inspiring opportunity to draw in a dynamic setting while reconnecting with the Cooper community. Whether you are a professional artist, architect, engineer, a hobbyist, or simply curious, we welcome you to spend the day with us making marks, sharing ideas, and fostering the creative spirit that defines The Cooper Union.
To make this event even more special, we are seeking alumni sponsorship to cover brunch for the group, ensuring that our student members can focus on creating without financial barriers. The club will cover museum entry fees, and your support would allow us to provide a communal meal that encourages conversation, artistic exchange, and cross-generational connections.
Let’s keep the tradition of drawing alive at The Cooper Union. We’d love to have you draw with us!
Spring 2025 Schedule and Registration Links
– Friday, February 21 In-House Figure Drawing Session (41 Cooper Square/Room 903CS)
– Sunday, March 16 Field Trip to The Museum of Natural History (Brunch 10AM – Visit 12PM-4PM)
– Friday, March 21 In-House Figure Drawing Session (41 Cooper Square/Room 903CS)
– Friday, April 4 In-House Figure Drawing Session (41 Cooper Square/Room 903CS)
Mission Statement
The Fine Lines and Shadows Drawing Group is a space where students, faculty, staff, and alumni from all three schools of The Cooper Union—Art, Architecture, and Engineering—come together to draw, connect, and share creative energy outside the pressures of coursework and critique. Our mission is to foster an inclusive, interdisciplinary environment where participants of all skill levels can engage in figure drawing, mark-making, observational studies, and conversation in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Each session provides dinner and drawing materials, at no cost to the participants, ensuring the space is accessible to everyone.
We believe in bridging disciplines, positions, and generations at Cooper. By inviting alumni, staff, faculty, and students to participate, organize, and enjoy our events, we create a unique space where different perspectives converge, fostering creative exchange and meaningful connections. These interdisciplinary interactions happen organically, facilitated by the act of drawing, gathering, and sharing a meal together. Through regular on-campus sessions and field trips to inspiring locations, we aim to remove barriers to the practice of drawing while strengthening connections across The Cooper Union.
How to Support Our Work
The demand for our events has been overwhelming-our figure drawing sessions have grown from 25 to 50+ participants per event, and our field trips have had to cap attendance due to funding constraints. To continue offering dinner, drawing materials, models, and field trip access, we are seeking donations from alumni and supporters who value the role of new types of engagement and interdisciplinary exchanges between current students, faculty, staff and alumni of The Cooper Union.
Ways to Donate:
1. **Online:**
– Visit https://cooper.edu/give
– Choose ‘Designate my gift’ and enter ‘Fine Lines and Shadows Drawing Group’
2. **By Check:**
– Make payable to ‘The Cooper Union’ with ‘Fine Lines and Shadows Drawing Group’ in the memo
– Mail to:
The Cooper Union Office of Alumni Affairs & Development
30 Cooper Square, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10003