How can YOU start a Bad Art Night?
Easy.

1. Pick a location

2. Round up some art supplies like paper, brushes, paint, water cups, magazines to cut images from, etc.

3. Invite your buddies over. Laurie has an e-mail list with about 30 people on it. She usually gets between 6-10 people every week. She sends the notice the day before and asks people to let her know if they're attending so she can set up a chair for them.

4. Arrange the table with a drop cloth and/or newspaper for each place setting.

5. Brew some tea or coffee and put on some good music.

6. Have fun. 

7. If you're in a pandemic, switch to Zoom or another video chat platform!

The only rule is that you aren't allowed to judge what you (or anyone else) makes.

    This is about playing. Think of it as R & D if you must. Or meditation. You'll be surprised that something that started out well turns garish, and something that seemed ridiculous looks pretty darn good by the end of the evening.

    Someone who attends Bad Art Night regularly has started one at a women's homeless shelter. The women are appreciative of the community time, and most importantly it gives them a chance to talk while their hands are busy moving them into a creative zone. Think about starting a Bad Art Night at your local homeless shelter.

Bad Art Nights possibly spawned by Jon's 2001 Utne Reader article

The Elgin Salon, Elgin IL

Bad Art Night, New Haven CT

Cody Clark's Bad Art Night, Houston TX

Tropioca Coffee Bar, Houston, TX

Unitarian Bad Art Nights:
    All Souls, Kansas City
    UU Fellowship of Topeka
    Northlake UUC, Washington state

Tempest Cafe, Toronto

Green River Community College has a course on Bad Art Nights, with text lifted directly from Jon's article

University of Colorado / Colorado Springs Gallery of Contemporary Art, Bad Art Night series



Please contact Laurie or Jon if you set up a Bad Art Night of your own, okay?