DRAW Space

Contemporary drawing at the heart of Newtown

DRAW Space is an artist-run initiative located at 31A Enmore Road in Newtown, a vibrant inner-west suburb of Sydney known for its creative energy and arts community. As a dedicated centre for contemporary drawing, DRAW Space has established itself as a vital platform where artists, curators, and the broader public can make, see, and experience innovative approaches to drawing. The gallery operates as an inclusive cultural space, working with a broad definition of what drawing can be and actively encouraging continued research into its possibilities as a medium. Positioned within Newtown's dynamic artistic landscape, DRAW Space serves an important role in expanding understanding of drawing practices and enhancing their standing within both Australian and international art contexts.

The gallery sits on the unceded ancestral lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and DRAW Space acknowledges the traditional custodians of this place with respect. The location puts the gallery within easy reach of Sydney's cultural precinct and the diverse, art-focused community that characterises Newtown. As a newer centre for contemporary drawing, DRAW Space distinguishes itself through its commitment to rigorous, community-engaged programming that moves beyond conventional gallery models.

Artist-led curation and diverse drawing practices

The heart of DRAW Space lies in its artist-run structure and the calibre of its curatorial board. The gallery is guided by a collective of eleven co-directors—all practising artists, curators, and writers—including Monika Cvitanovic, Sarah Eddowes, Kristy Gordon, Melinda Hunt, Eva Nolan, Lisa Pang, Daniel Press, Jeremy Smith, Amanda Solomons, Fiona Verity, and Belinda Yee. This curatorial model ensures that exhibitions and programming reflect the evolving concerns of working artists themselves. The board's combined expertise spans contemporary, abstract, figurative, and realist practices, allowing DRAW Space to present drawing in its full conceptual and technical range. Recent exhibitions have showcased established artists exploring drawing practices across their lifespans, as demonstrated by shows such as LIVES DRAWING, which celebrates artists who continue to expand and refine their work throughout their later decades.

The gallery's programming emphasises accessibility and diversity. DRAW Space is committed to advocating for greater diversity and representation in the arts, and this principle flows through its exhibition selections and community engagement work. By working with a deliberately expansive definition of drawing—one that encompasses traditional media, experimental approaches, and hybrid practices—the gallery ensures that emerging and established artists alike find space for their work. This curatorial openness, combined with the artist-run ethos, creates an environment where drawing is treated not as a secondary discipline but as a primary, dynamic art form worthy of serious critical and creative attention.

A multifaceted program of exhibitions, talks, and residencies

DRAW Space extends far beyond static exhibitions. The gallery's active programme includes artist talks, performances, workshops, and artist residencies designed to engage the broader community and deepen conversations around contemporary drawing. This multifaceted approach reflects the gallery's mission to foster a vibrant ecosystem around the medium. Current and upcoming exhibitions are regularly featured on the gallery's exhibitions and events page, and visitors can also explore past exhibitions to understand the range and depth of programming over time. The gallery maintains a shop—the DRAW Store—where visitors can purchase works and support artists directly, reinforcing the commitment to making drawing accessible and economically sustainable for practitioners.

As an artist-run initiative, DRAW Space operates on modest operating costs recovered through exhibiting artist fees. The gallery recognises that this financial model can present challenges for emerging artists and actively supports them through a community donation programme. This commitment to making opportunities available regardless of an artist's economic circumstances demonstrates DRAW Space's values-driven approach to arts curation and community building. The volunteer-supported model, with a dedicated team of gallery sitters enabling the space to remain open, further exemplifies the collaborative spirit that defines the space.

A community-driven space for contemporary art in Sydney

What sets DRAW Space apart is its unwavering focus on drawing as a medium and its refusal to treat the discipline as subordinate to painting, sculpture, or other art forms. In an Australian and international art landscape where drawing is sometimes marginalised, DRAW Space positions it as central, worthy of sustained exhibition, research, and public engagement. The gallery's co-director model, grounded in the lived experience of working artists, ensures that curatorial decisions remain responsive to the actual concerns and innovations of the drawing community. The space fosters genuine dialogue between artists and visitors, whether through formal artist talks, informal conversations during opening events, or sustained engagement through workshops and residencies.

Visitors to DRAW Space encounter work across multiple registers: from representational and figurative approaches to abstract and experimental practices. The gallery's commitment to inclusivity means that works by artists of different backgrounds, experiences, and aesthetic orientations share the same platform. Recent works on view have ranged from oil on timber constructions to texta drawings on specialised paper, reflecting the medium's versatility. For anyone seeking to understand contemporary drawing practice in Sydney, or simply looking to encounter unexpected and thoughtfully curated work, DRAW Space offers a rare opportunity to engage with art on terms set by artists themselves.

Visit DRAW Space: hours, location, and connection

DRAW Space is open Thursday and Friday from 11am to 5pm, Saturday 11am to 5pm, and Sunday from midday to 5pm. The gallery is located at 31A Enmore Road, Newtown, NSW 2042, with a postal address of PO Box 352, Newtown NSW 2042. Visitors can contact the gallery at info@drawspace.org or connect via social media on Instagram and Facebook (@drawspacesydney). The gallery's accessible hours and welcoming approach reflect its commitment to serving not just the immediate arts community but the broader public who may be discovering contemporary drawing for the first time. Whether you're a practising artist seeking inspiration, a collector interested in emerging work, or a curious visitor exploring Newtown's creative offerings, DRAW Space extends an invitation to experience what drawing can be when given serious, committed curatorial attention.