If you're last recollection of a figure drawing class entails a model derobing and never once interacting with the artists, then you're in for quite the treat. Michael Alan's Draw-a-thon Theatre have started to create a ruckus in the New York art community.Draw-a-thon is a weekly artistic celebration that combines performance art, acting, modeling, and writing.“Draw-a-thon Theater is … a reaction to art school,” shares founder, Michael Alan. “I drew the same models in the same poses in the same ways over and over again. The rooms were silent, there was no energy. I wanted more; more hours, more models, outrageous poses, different types of models, music, insanity, action, chaos". 

Michael Alan hosts Draw-a-thon throughout the year while switching between themes. Michael Alan's latest Draw-a-thon project, "Living Installation" incorporates performance into figure drawing. In using traditional materials, handmade props and costumes, Draw-a-thon's performance artists will transport fine art to the stage as a new form of performance based art. The audience members also known as the performers are called upon in expressing their freedom to draw, write, collage while the models are asked to not be silent yet loudly act on their every desire of movement.

In attending one a Draw-a-thon performances, it is more than likely that you would come across a room filled with people," their laps full of drawing pads, canvases, paints, charcoals, and crayons. Their many chairs encircle the following scene: a dozen yelling and shaking art models, hanging off prop-ladders and wallowing in paint-splattered newspaper and odd, handmade props".At Draw-a-thon, they aim to not only create a community for artists, but also provide new artists the space to hone into their talents in the most liberal artistic classroom setting.

Check out Michael Alan sharing why Draw-a-thon came to be and what he hopes to accomplish in this video spotlight with New York times.

For more information on how to take part in Living Installation, vistit the Draw-a-thon website

Source & Photo Credits: Michael Alan Art & Inside New York