QAGOMA’s Drawing Festival

QAGOMA's Drawing Festival returns for an unmissable weekend of creativity and fun on 25 and 26 July with other 50 free events for all ages and skill levels.

Back for 2026 and expanded to a full weekend due to popular demand, the Drawing Festival will spark or rekindle your love of drawing, whether you're picking up a pencil for the first time or a seasoned sketcher.

Across the weekend, the Queensland Art Gallery will transform into a lively, hands-on creative hub where you can explore over 50 free activities at your own pace. Join bite-sized workshops with artists Dr Bill Platz and Tori-Jay Mordey to pick up new tips and techniques, drop in for life drawing sessions with costumed models guided by Studio Maverik, and sketch your way through the Gallery and open-air Sculpture Courtyard.

“The Drawing Festival is one of the most joyous events in the Gallery's calendar and it’s truly for everyone," said Michaela-Sophie Chin, Senior Programming Officer at QAGOMA. 

But wait, there's more! In between sessions, pop over to GOMA for the Winter Design Market to shop handcrafted treasures from 80 independent designers, makers and creatives.

When it’s time to recharge, retreat to the QAG Cafe for a range of delicious dine-in and takeaway options overlooking the creative buzz or unwind in the alfresco setting of the GOMA Bistro by the river.

Make the most of the Drawing Festival weekend with a QAGOMA Membership. Join on-site and receive 10% off membership (on-site sales only), access to the exclusive Members-only Still Life Lounge, a double discount at the Stores all weekend, plus more perks.

Need to know - All materials are free and supplied. The Drawing Festival is designed to explore at your own pace, stay for an hour or the whole day. No experience is required and all events are free and don’t require booking, except Workshop: Sensing Still Life and Volunteer Guided: In Conversation, which require advance registration.

QAGOMA is a valued partner of MustDoBrisbane.com.

Images top to bottom:

Drawing Festival, May 2025, QAG / Photograph: K Bennett © QAGOMA

Drawing Festival, May 2023, QAG / Photograph: C Baxter © QAGOMA

Drawing Festival, May 2025, QAG / Photograph: K Bennett © QAGOMA

Christmas Design Market, November 2025, GOMA / Photograph: K Cox © QAGOMA

QAG Café / Photograph: J Ruckli © QAGOMA