Wednesday nights have become a highly anticipated time for local artists to unwind and connect over local brews at Elation Brewery in Norfolk for Doodle Fest, a weekly artist meetup hosted and organized by local filmmaker Roy Petersen. A National Endowment of the Arts report based off US Census Bureau Household Pulse survey, found that adults and art creators that attend live arts events are likely to receive needed emotional and social support. This sentiment of support and community is reflected in participants at Doodle Fest, artists have developed community, friendships and professional contacts and view Doodle fest as a safe learning space for “letting go”.  Local artist and regular participant of Doodle fest, Sue Labrato, praised Doodle fest as a learning space and when talking about the seasoned artists that participate, she states that “..in a way I feel, a student of them…even though I am not a kid but, in that role,”, and she considers herself a “forever learner”.

“I really enjoy the community vibe. It’s always a come in peace and you are welcomed kind of atmosphere… It’s just open-ended creativity. And it’s been great for networking, making new friends, learning new tactics with my own art practice, watching what other people do, how they approach prompts. It’s a great time!” – Richard Justis, Artist and Participant

Creative professionals tend to work in isolation during the creative process, this can be lonely and can affect mental health and having someone that understands that is beneficial. Artists like any other professional needs community and an upbuilding social network that can provide much needed feedback and professional opportunities. Doodle Fest is a great opportunity for artists to promote their upcoming events. Doodle Fest participant and Artist Dwight Easter said it best and straight to the point “…you have to have support. Sometimes you don’t wanna go to the show, hunker down, but you have to go sometimes to show up for people.”.

Doodle Fest since its inception has been about creating connection and community. Roy Petersen started the concept in 2010 while living in the U.K. and had a 72 hour doodle marathon with 3 creative colleagues at a gallery. When asked why he does it he admits despite being tired he does it for the community. When he moved back. To the US, he became reinspired by other artists in Ghent that made him want to be creative again and a started Dodle Fest again. At first he would sit at a local café and draw then he put an open invite on social media for others to join. Eventually, Doodle Fest became so popular he had to change venues! Doodle fest has become a weekly anticipated event for artists seeking socialization, comradery, networking and a time to let go while creating. Doodle fest is a place for “eccentric personalities to be eccentric”…Roy points out “when you doodle … you can do whatever you want. There is no critique of it…it’s a doodle.”.