What is Dr. Sketchy’s?

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School is a cabaret-styled burlesque-themed life drawing session started in NYC by Molly Crabapple, who envisioned an event that would put the “life” back into “life drawing”, with fair pay and excellent treatment of the models and boozy fun for all. It quickly spread across the globe to other cities, and–finally–Baltimore is getting its own branch this June. Grab you sketch materials and join us each month to draw uniquely beautiful models. No instructors looming over your shoulder here–instead, you can win drinks and other prizes in contests such as “best incorporation of a woodland animal”. Absolutely no drawing experience is necessary to get in on the fun– you just need to be over 21, since Dr. Sketchy’s is held in a bar.

How is Dr. Sketchy’s different from a normal life drawing class?

In normal life classes, silent students sit in a silent room and draw a bored, oft-uninteresting model. In Dr. Sketchy’s, we’ve got scandalous performers as models. We’ve got ridiculous art contests, flashy prizes and a selection of posh beverages- alcoholic and not- available for purchase.

At Dr. Sketchy’s, we don’t care if you picked up a pad yesterday or 50 years ago. Come to drink or to draw. We’re happy to have you.

Will it cost me anything?

$7 at the door.

How often does Dr. Sketchy’s take place?

Most months?  Twice a month.  Usually the second and fourth Monday of every month, from 7 to 10, at Dionysus.  There’s only one session in December and in January though, so make sure to check the sidebar to the right for exact dates.

What mediums can I use?

All dry mediums are okay. Paints, messy mediums and stinky mediums are not okay. Please don’t cause a mess. Everything you spill or stain, we have to stay after and clean up.

Will the model be naked?

Nope, can’t get the bar shut down.  It will definitely offend your grandmother though.

I’m a photographer. Can I shoot pictures of your hottie models?

While we love photography, we’ve found the needs of photographers can be antithetical to those of artists- and a flash is downright distracting. We also think that models should get paid more posing for photography and we don’t have the dough. If you’re press, of course you can take photos.

If you take photos without permission, you will be kicked out, with no refund. Models are not zoo animals.

There are rarely, IF EVER, any exceptions to this.  If for some reason you think you should be exempt, then you need to approach us at least 48 hours in advance.  Hell, we got to have time to ask the model first if it’s alright.  This will rarely, rarely ever happen though. 

When did the Baltimore branch of Dr. Sketchy’s start?

The very first one was June 8, 2008, 1 PM – 4 PM, on a Sunday upstairs at Dionysus Restaurant and Lounge. 

Can I model for Dr. Sketchy’s – Baltimore?

Very possibly. Read this.

I’m only 18. Will Dionysus kick me out on the street?

They have to.  They’re a bar and we don’t want to upset the po-po.

Am I allowed to sit on the floor?

There will be a couple pillows up front to sit on, then a bunch of chairs, and then a group of tables.  You still have to pay the cover, but after that, if you aren’t blocking an exit, creating a fire hazard, or getting too close and personal to the model, and if we haven’t exceeded our space limitations, you can certainly sit on the floor.

Does it get crowded? Should I show up early?

Yes.  YES.  We regularly have to turn people away at the door now.  Dionysus can only hold so many people before people start screaming and biting each other.  Show up 15 minutes before, and you should be fine.  Show up 15 minutes late?  Well, you’ve been warned….

Can I use my coat, art supplies, and book bag to take up as many chairs as possible so no one will sit next to me?

No.  Don’t be “that guy.”

Is there food?

Yep, Dionysus has a kicking menu and you are more them welcome to get a bite to eat while you work.

Can I bring in outside food?

Nope.  Do you try to take Taco Bell into Fogo de Chao?  No.  Dionysus is a restaurant/bar…it’s only worth their time if they have the chance to sell you a beer or a burger.

Is there alcohol?

Oh come on, if you’re not even going to try and keep up…

I’m a socially maladept comic geek who lives in my parents basement. Can I come to Dr. Sketchy’s and pick up girls?

No.  No you can’t.

I have entitlement issues and want to take them out on the model or the Dr. Sketchy’s staff. Can I yell, be rude or cause a scene?

No.  Rudeness to any member of the Dr. Sketchy’s crew, or anyone else for that matter, will lead to immediate expulsion, without refund. We suggest you adopt a nicer attitude towards service people.

Oh, okay.  I can yell at the Dionysus staff though, right?

I will give you a whole $5 to yell at Lynn.   Dr. Sketchy’s is in no way, shape, or form responsible for what happens after that, and though Dr. S doesn’t have a dress code per-se, you ARE required to have all your limbs and not be covered in blood.

How many models are there at a single session?

GENERALLY, only one per session. There will occasionally be exceptions.  (The December session had two for example.)

Do you ever have male models?

Yes, though for some reason, we often have difficulty finding them. 

Dr. Sketchy’s sounds cool. I own a small business and want to sponsor you. Tell me some details.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!  We’re always looking for sponsors. Donations of cash, prizes, or printing will get you a logo on our flyers, prominent placement on our website, on-stage shoutouts, and eternal love. Email drsketchysbaltimore (at) gmail.com and find out more about how sponsoring us can help spread the word about your business.