Four Freedoms Park Launches Drawing Contest, Sketch 4 Freedom

Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island has just launched its third annual Sketch 4 Freedom contest, and Untapped Cities founder Michelle Young is a judge on the selection committee! Artists of all skill levels are encouraged to submit sketches developed at FDR Four Freedoms State Park for a chance to win limited edition Four Freedoms State Park merchandise, a $300 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials, and the opportunity to have their work reach a wider audience.

This year’s theme is ‘Light & Shadow’. The Park’s architect, Louis Kahn, gave special attention to the interplay of sunlight and shadows in his design, making the memorial a fantastic backdrop with which to explore this theme from a variety of different angles and interpretations. Below is the work of Richard Clements, winner of last year’s competition showing the walkway along the East River with a view to Manhattan, including 1 World Trade Center and the American Copper Buildings, one of the most recent additions to the skyline.

2018 First Place Winning Sketch, Richard Clements’ “Serene Space”

All submissions must be originally developed at FDR Four Freedoms State Park. Due to the sensitivity of the untreated granite at the Park, we ask that artists wishing to use paint, watercolor, charcoal, chalk and other materials that might harm the porous granite do so offsite after their initial visit to the memorial.

Participants can submit their entry online here. Limit one entry per contestant.Submissions will be accepted until midnight on September 30, 2019. Winners will be announced in November 2019. Other judges in addition to Michelle are illustrator and author Veronica Lawlor, illustrator Victo Ngai and architect Adam Yarinsky.

Next, check out the Top 10 Secrets of Four Freedoms Park.