Artist-In-Residence Workshop with Painter John Dempsey

Painter John Dempsey will give a presentation on Military Field Drawing during the time of the British and American occupation of Fort Mackinac. The discussion would focus on methods of drawing from direct observation and the training that was given military personnel during 18th and 19th centuries in order to communicate important military field information.

People attending this presentation will then be offered drawing materials and encouraged to try their hand at drawing items that are either located in the The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum or of a nearby outdoor landscape. They will be encouraged to make their drawings with the thought in mind that it will be sent as ‘reconnaissance’ to an imaginary group of British or American army officers.

The goal of the presentation is to encourage people to engage in an activity that directly connects them to an activity practiced by historic Mackinac inhabitants. Drawing from direct observation isn’t an activity that one necessarily associates with early America History but it can be easily understood as an important, and even vital, communication tool of the time.

This is a free workshop located in the Station 256 Conference Room, located above the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center.