[By Tina Koyama in Chicago] I’ve probably said this after every symposium I’ve
attended, but there’s something very special about being with one’s “tribe” –
that worldwide community with whom you instantly bond because of a common
passion. As I walked through the Art Institute’s gardens for the Chicago
symposium’s opening sketchwalk and suddenly saw hundreds of my tribespeople all
in one place (570 sketchers from 34 countries), doing what they enjoy most, I felt
a catch in my throat. And then it got even better as I was reunited with
friends I’ve made at previous symposiums and met new ones.
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| Cloud Gate at Millennium Park |
As I am every time I participate, I am sincerely grateful
to all the many volunteers who worked hard all year to make the symposium
possible. It’s a thrill to share in such an inspiring event. The positive
energy I gain at the symposium stays with me all year long until the next one. Thank
you, everyone, and I hope to see you again in Porto!
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| Calder’s Flamingo |
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| One of two lions guarding the entrance to the Art Institute |
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| General Logan’s monument at Grant’s Park during the final sketchwalk |
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| Michigan Avenue and one of my favorite buildings on the Chicago skyline, the Two Prudential Tower |
For more sketches and photos from my experience in Chicago, please see my Flickr photostream.
