Draw Portland returned in 2026 on Saturday 24 October. With it came new visitors along with artists returning to this event at The Foundations, Portland to draw and explore onsite.
“Incredible! The whole property is such a great subject to draw – it’s the perfect place for this kind of event!” wrote one artist, experiencing Draw Portland and The Foundations for the first time.
From the heritage listed Bottle Kilns and industrial buildings in the Heritage Precinct of The Foundations Portland to the views across the Millpond and Limestone Lake, drawings evolved with the use of charcoal, pencil, pen and even sharpies and highlighters capturing some of the essence of this place. With all skill levels welcome, Draw Portland – Artist Volunteers with pink vests were onsite to assist with queries about mark marking and good places to go onsite too. And they didn’t hold back either with drawings commenced by them too.
However drawings were not the only creations made at The Foundations during this event. One Draw Portland participant was working on their family tree project outside in the sun, with a four-legged friend by their side.
“… Days like today remind us that art is about so much more than what we create on paper. It’s about connection, sharing experiences, learning from one another and finding beauty in the places around us and the people we meet. Thank you to everyone who helped make today such a memorable event …“ wrote a Draw Portland participant experiencing Draw Portland and The Foundations for the first time.
Children onsite also drew to their hearts content and crafted scenes and creatures with pop-up paper folding fun. In the Draw Portland children’s workshop, scheduled to coincide within Draw Portland, artist Alice Martin guided the children with scissors and glue on pop-up paper construction methods. Whilst sitting outside on picnic rugs, the children took inspiration from the environment around them along with tapping into their imaginations.
One of the children, describing his endearing work created onsite said “He’s eating his favourite cereal – Rice Bubbles or maybe some apple, there’s a transformer on his head and a cloud that looks like a dragon with no tail”.
Alice Martin, returned to Portland to lead this workshop following her Artist in Residence program earlier in 2026 at The Squatter’s Residency, The Foundations, Portland. The current Artist in Residence at The Squatter’s Residency, WART was also onsite connecting and fielding queries about her experience of this residency program.
With award winning professional artists coming to this place through The Foundations Artists in Residence program, Arts OutWest (in partnership with The Foundations Portland and Harrie Fasher Studios) are working with schools, local businesses and organisations who have been taking the opportunity to be part of workshops, incursions, excursions and exhibitions developed with artists from this residency program.
At the close of the Draw Portland children’s workshop, the children seized the opportunity to have a mini exhibition on site of their works on the walls of the enormous Powerhouse building with its Chimney extension, the central landmark of the former Portland Cement Plant. This impromptu outside exhibition hung with the extraordinary sculptures of Harrie Fasher gracing the Heritage Precinct of The Foundations, Portland. Her latest monumental sculpture Unveiling the Edges of the Sky has just received the prestigious 2026 Aqualand Sculpture Award at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi. The benefits for these children in this workshop and the students accessing other projects associated with The Foundations Artist in Residence program include simply seeing incredible artists working and thriving in the regions where they live.
Kylie Shead, Executive Director, Arts OutWest also set up an Arts OutWest Mobile Office onsite to coincide with Draw Portland. Local artists and business owners took up this opportunity to discuss their programs and practices, reach out for support and access advice. No doubt there will be some new and exciting projects being developed following these sessions.
With the 2026 Draw Portland event coming to an end whilst the sun was still shining bright, artists were spotted relaxing in the outside beer garden areas of Zig Zag Brewery, a new addition at The Foundations, Portland since last year’s Draw Portland event.
Images: credit Nic Mason, feature image includes a drawing created by Draw Portland participant Pip Alveras.
