November 21st Sketchcrawl - PSU Farmer's Market

Let's go back to PSU in November. The farmers market will be there, and there's likely to be fall color. In case of rain, we can go inside Fariborz Maseeh Hall, which is open to everyone and has restrooms and coffee.  There may also be a gallery open at the new Art Building, two doors to the south.

10 AM:  Meet at Fariborz Maseeh Hall, 1855 SW Broadway, on the farmers market side, for introductions

Sketch indoors or out, weather depending

12 noon: Meet back at the same place to share our sketches in a (totally optional) throw-down.

October 17th sketchcrawl - Ladd's Addition

Let's go back to Ladd's Addition, for the fall colors.

sketch by Vicky Porter

• 10:00am meet in Ladd Circle Park on the side near the coffee shop (now a Floyds) at 1996 SE Ladd Ave, Portland, OR 97214
• 12:00pm back to the circle for the sketchbook throwdown

sketch by 
Vicky Porter

There's plenty of street parking in the neighborhood.  The 70 goes through Ladd's Addition and stops at the circle, while the FX2 runs down Division and stops at 20th and the 14 goes down Hawthorne, stopping every few blocks.

There are restrooms at Floyd's, and at New Seasons, at 20th and Division.

Note that there's a distinct lack of outdoor seating.  If you're not into standing, you might want to bring a stool.  Also, there's not much in the way of rain shelter.  We're going to try it anyway, hoping that the autumn rains hold off a bit longer, but keep that in mind.

September 19 Sketchcrawl - N. Mississippi

sketch by Amy Stewart

It's been a few years since we did N. Mississippi, and it feels like time to got there again.

The #4 bus runs along Mississippi. In a pinch, you can also take the Yellow MAX to Overlook and cross over I5 on the Failing St pedestrian bridge.

There are coffee shops all up and down the street, with, presumably, restrooms.  There's also a public restroom at the nearby food cart pod, at Mississippi and Skidmore.

• 10 AM: Coffee and introductions in front of Broder Nord, 3765 N Mississippi Ave
• Noon: Throwdown at courtyard next to Broder Nord (in front of The Meadow)
• 12:30-ish: Optional lunch at the food carts at Mississippi and Skidmore

August 15th Sketchcrawl - Riverplace

sketch by Deb Rossi

It's been a few years since we've been to Riverplace, so it seems like time to go back.  There'll be boats, bridges and beaches, different sorts of architect and loads of people.

sketch by Vicky Porter

This time we'll meet just south of the south end of the esplanade, in the plaza in front of the Portland Electric Boat Company, at 1811 S River Dr #400.  There's a coffee shop and a public restroom across the street, and a parking garage next door.  For people coming by transit, both streetcars and the southbound 35 and 40 stop at S River Pkwy & River Dr.  It's also possible to hike down from the bus mall, at Montgomery St.

• 10am: Meet at the Portland Electric Boat Company, 1811 S River Dr, for introductions
• Noon: Meet again at the same place, for an optional throwdown

Extra Sketchcrawl, Aug 8 at the Lloyd Center

The past few years, we've been going to the Lloyd Center in the wintertime, each time thinking that it might be our last chance.  And now, finally, it is.  The mall last day is August 8th.  So let's have one last outing to say good-bye.

The ice skating rink might be open that day.  The mall walkers will definitely be there to strut their stuff.  There's supposed to be a guerrilla pop-up art show in the food circus. And I don't know how many people will come for old times sake.

• 
  11am (when the mall opens) meet at Capitalism, the stack of coins
  outside the southwest entrance.
• 1pm meet at the same place for an optional throwdown.

A note for anyone approaching on foot from the north.  The new music venue is going in just north of the Capitalism plaza, and the sidewalk on the east side of NE 9th is blocked.

(This sketchcrawl isn't replacing our regular 3rd Saturday one.  That one will still happen on Aug 15, someplace outdoors.)

July 18th Sketchcrawl - NE Industrial

Sketch by Amy Stewart

In July, we're returning to the industrial neighborhood at the east end of the Fremont Bridge. There's plenty of cool architecture to sketch, interesting bridge views, excellent bagels, and the possibility of a pub lunch afterwards.

There's street parking, and the Yellow MAX and 35 and 40 buses stop close by.  Bernstein's has coffee and food, and there's another tiny coffee shop - Kalesa - in the Gotham Building at 722 N Page St, Portland, OR 97227.

• 10 AM:  Meet on the corner outside Bernstein's Bagels, 816 N Russell St, for introductions. 
• Noon: Meet back at the same place for a sketchbook throwdown. 

After our throwdown, some of us might head to the White Eagle Saloon, just down the block, for lunch. They have a nice patio and we can hope for good weather. Hope to see you there!

June 20th Sketchcrawl - International Rose Test Garden

Let's go back to the rose garden in Washington Park.  It should be in full flower in the middle of June.  And maybe we can catch a glimpse of the new reservoir.  Which is still not open to the public.

• 10am - meet in the plaza between the gift shop and restrooms, at the SW corner of the garden
• noon - meet again nearby, wherever we can find space for an optional throw-down

The free park shuttle loops around the park, with stops at both the Rose Garden and the zoo MAX station.  There's also a Trimet bus, the 63, that comes to the Rose Garden from downtown.  If you're willing to hike up the hill from Burnside, the 20 stops at the bottom of the carriage drive, and the 15 a couple blocks away.

For people driving, parking can get tight.  There's a small lot at the Rose Garden, but it fills up quickly.  Overflow parking is down SW Sherwood, which might lead to a hike back up to the garden.  It might be best to park at the zoo and take the shuttle.

May 16th Sketchcrawl - Kenton

I see, from reading back in our blog, that we've sketched in Kenton before, but not in donkey's years.  So let's go back, for what's likely to be the first time for most of us.

For sketching, there's the giant Paul Bunyan statue, the Denver Ave main street, neighborhood homes, a bamboo nursery, a neighborhood rose garden and a Victorian mansion.

The only coffee shop I found was Posies at Denver and Kilpatrick.  It seems to be popular, and hence very busy.  There are restrooms at Posies, at the Kenton Library next door, and at Kenton Park, a block to the west.

Kenton is served by the #4 bus, and the Yellow MAX.

sketch by Kalina Wilson

• 10am - meet in the plaza at the base of the Paul Bunyan statue, at N Denver and N Interstate, for introductions.  If you need GPS directions, you could use Kenton/N Denver Ave, which both Google and Apple maps recognize as the MAX station.  (If it's raining, we'll meet at Fenwick Plaza, a block to the east at the other end of the MAX station.)
• noon - meet at the same place for an optional throwdown

Sketchcrawl in Beaverton

 Hey folks! Elizabeth and Tim, a couple of sketchers in Beaverton, have set up a local sketchcrawl at the downtown Beaverton Farmers Market on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 10am to noon.

Meet them at 10am by the park benches located at the south end of the Farmers Market (look for the playground Pirate Ship; closest cross streets are SW 4th and SW Washington) for quick intros and an orientation, and then regroup at noon for the sketchbook throw down.

You can get to downtown Beaverton on public transportation. The closest major MAX/bus stop is the Beaverton Transit Center. There’s plenty of options for food/coffee at the Farmers Market as well as on the way from the Beaverton Transit Center.

Rain location will be inside the Beaverton City Library one block over on SW 5th (off of SW Hall).

So glad this is happening! Anybody who wants to set up extra events in their neighborhood, just let us know and we're happy to help.

Sketching at Cloud Country Blueberry Farm June 11 & July 23

Lindy Rutherford of Cloud Country Blueberry Farm has very graciously invited us to come sketch at her farm! She has five acres, a couple horses, a classic red barn, and other things to sketch.

We've organized two dates this summer. The June date is before blueberry season starts, so there won't be a lot of other people there, and the July date is during blueberry season, so you could also do the u-pick berry thing while you're there!

Details:

• Bring a chair and/or sun protection if you need it
• Bring your own drinks and food
• Lindy has a bathroom available and places we can sketch if there's rain
• There's plenty of parking at the farm

Thursday June 11 11:00 AM

Thursday July 23 11:00 AM

For both events, we'll plan on doing a throwdown around 1 (maybe followed by a picnic?) but Lindy says you can stay and sketch longer if you want to.

Cloud Country Blueberry Farm
21095 S Lower Highland Rd. Beavercreek, OR  

503-504-5083

March 21st SketchCrawl - Japanese American Historical Plaza

Let's try for cherry blossoms on the waterfront again.  Perhaps we'll catch them in full bloom this year.  Weather permitting, we'll meet at the Japanese American Historical Plaza at the foot of NW Couch at Naito Parkway.   (If it's raining, under the awnings at the Oregon State University Building, directly across Naito)

sketch by George Schweser

For coffee and food, there's Floyd's Old Town Coffee, The Society Hotel at NW Davis & 3rd, and the Saturday Market.

• 9am - *OPTIONAL* headstart for people who want to start and leave early, in order to snatch  up tickets to sketcherfest
• 10:00 am - Gather and do intros in the central square of the Japanese American  Historical Plaza 
• 12:00 pm - Gather again at same location for optional sketchbook throwdown

Weekday sketchcrawl - Friday, February 27

It appears that there's a great desire for sketching opportunities on weekdays.  So let's try one this Friday and see how it goes.

I was going to do one at a park, but I'm having trouble believing that it's actually going to stop raining this week.  So, how bout we meet at the new NW branch of the county library from 10am to noon-ish on Friday, February 27.  (Edited to fix the date.)

The address is 2030 NW Pettygrove Street.  

If it actually is dry, there's a plaza across the street with views of old and new architecture.  There's street parking, and the NS streetcar and the 24, 77 and 15 buses all pass within a few blocks.  There are restrooms inside the library, and coffee shops at 21st and Lovejoy, 21st and Quimby, and 23rd and Pettygrove.

Februrary 21 Sketchcrawl - Architectural Heritage Center

The Architectural Heritage Center has generously offered to let us meet and sketch inside their beautiful space, or outside on the street, weather permitting.

The non-profit Literary Arts, with a bookstore and cafe, is across the street.  Mother Foucault's Bookstore is next door, and SCRAP has moved nearby, to SE 6th and Washington.  The whole area, known as the East Portland-Grand Avenue National Historic District, offers plenty of cool old buildings to draw. 

The 15 bus, 6 bus, and A line of the streetcar all stop nearby.

• 10 AM: Meet inside the Architectural Heritage Center (701 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214) for introductions
• 12 noon: Meet back at AHC for a sketchbook throwdown (optional!)

January 17 Sketchcrawl - Union Station

sketch by Anastasia Vasileva

Let's go back to Union Station (800 NW Sixth Ave).  There'll be people and architecture to sketch inside, and generous awnings for those who prefer to sketch outside.  

For coffee, there's a cafe inside the station, and also Lovejoy Bakers, at 10th and Lovejoy, and Ovation Coffee, at 10th and Overton.

• 10am - Meet under the awnings outside the main entrance to Union Station
• 12 noon - Meet again at the same place for an optional throw-down

Dec 20 Sketchcrawl and Art Supply Swap at Lloyd Center

For the last few years, we've been meeting in December at the Lloyd Center, where we can enjoy shelter from the rain and cold, and also sketch some ice skaters and Christmas decorations. But there seem to be solid plans to tear the place down in 2026, so this might be our last year. If you haven't been lately, the Lloyd Center is filled with cool indie shops and pop-up art markets right now. See them before they're gone!

We're also going to hold a holiday art supply swap! If you want to participate, bring an art supply or art book that you're not using, and pick up something new to take home with you. Doesn't have to be elaborate--it could be a pencil, a paintbrush, whatever you have that you're not using.

• 10am - Meet at the food court on the third floor for introductions
• Noon - Meet again at the same spot for an optional sketchbook throwdown and art supply swap.

November 15 Sketchcrawl - PSU Farmers' Market

sketch by Amy Stewart

Let's go back to PSU in November.  The farmers' market will be there, and there's likely to be fall color.  And a variety of architecture.  If the weather is nasty, we can stay inside Fariborz Maseeh Hall, which is kept open for non-students, or you can get a day-pass at the library.

There are restrooms and coffee inside FMH (Neuberger Hall for old farts) and coffee and food available in the farmers market.

As a special note, PSU is proposing to tear down two dorms, Blackstone

and Montgomery Court. 

This might be our last chance to sketch those.

• 10 AM: Meet in front of Fariborz Maseeh Hall on the farmers market side, 1855 SW Broadway, (or indoors if it's raining) for introductions
• Sketch indoors or out, depending on weather
• 12 noon:  Meet back at same place to share our sketches in a (totally optional!) throw-down.

Oct 18 Sketchcrawl - Director Park

sketch by Vicky Porter

For our Oct 18 sketchcrawl, let's meet at Director Park, located at SW Yamhill and 9th. There's a bit of cover in case of rain, and Case Study Coffee is only a block away at 802 SW 10th.

sketch by Kalina Wilson

We know that some folks are planning to attend the protest and march taking place along the southwest waterfront on October 18. This location makes it possible to do both, but it's far enough away from the crowds that our gathering shouldn't be impacted. 

• 10 AM:  Meet in Director Park for introductions
• Noon: Meet in the same location for (optional) sketchbook throwdown

September 20 Sketchcrawl - Eastbank Esplanade at OMSI

sketch by Douglas Shimizu

In September, let's go back to the river, to the Eastbank Esplanade around OMSI.  There'll be views of bridges, soaring freeway ramps, the USS Blueback, and downtown and Pill Hill across the river.

There are a couple of paid parking lots at OMSI, and buses, streetcars and MAXes stop at the transit center at the east end of the Tilikum Crossing, a short walk away.  There are restrooms and a snack shop (with coffee) in OMSI's lobby.

• 10am: Meet up behind OMSI, at the river overlook between the submarine and the Marquam Bridge.
  
  
  
• Noon: Meet at the same place for an optional throw-down.

OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

August 16 Sketchcrawl-Midtown Beer Garden

For our August sketchcrawl, let's check out the spacious and welcoming Midtown Beer Garden in downtown. It opens at 9 AM with a few food trucks serving breakfast, and offers ample picnic tables shaded by umbrellas to sit and draw.  There are plenty of gorgeous historic buildings nearby, and we're only four blocks from the SW waterfront.

Coffee alert: There was only one easily-overwhelmed coffee cart open when we visited on a recent Saturday morning. Other nearby coffee options include Spella on Alder & 6th, Java Man on Broadway & 6th, or Kilo D’Cofi at Pine & 6th.

• 10:00 AM:  Meet up inside the Midtown Beer Garden for introductions
• Noon: Meet back at Midtown Beer Garden for (optional) sketchbook throwdown.

Midtown Beer Garden, SW 5th between Oak and Harvey Milk

431 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204

July 26 Sketchcrawl - SE Hawthorne Plaza again

NOTE:  This is slightly off-schedule, on the fourth Saturday of July, rather than our usual third Saturday.

We collectively decided to return to SE 37th and Hawthorne, trying for a day without rain, so we don't have to hide in coffee shops or huddle under shop awnings and will have a chance to sketch more of the surroundings.

sketches by unknown,
from the previous sketchcrawl

Tov Coffee at 3639 SE Hawthorne opens early on Saturday for your caffeine fix, and Harder Day Coffee at 3757 SE Hawthorne has even more baked goods and breakfast burritos.

• 10:00 AM: Meet in the pedestrian plaza for introductions
• Noon: Meet back at the same location for an optional sketchbook throwdown