Manifest Drawing Center

Manifest Drawing Center A non-profit center for the study and instruction of drawing, printmaking, photography, and more. The future home of the Manifest Center for the Visual Arts.
(1)

What past participants say about our studio program:

“The Manifest program is of great value to me. My love of drawing has been with me all of my life although my experience has been sporadic and I am mostly self-taught. The Manifest Studios offer a wonderful environment for drawing and learning. The instructor has been very supportive and her enthusiasm and dedication to the fine art of drawing

in the classical style has been a joy and an inspiration.”

“Manifest Drawing Center has been vital to my continuing education in the arts. Drawing from the model has honed my skills in drawing and my painting has improved because of it.”

"Thank goodness for this teaching commitment to the community by Manifest.”

"I valued the individual guidance and 'one-on-one' style of teaching as well as the opportunity for group critiques. With [the instructor's] guidance I was able to break through years of frustrated drawing attempts and really identify what my challenges and my successes were."

“The Manifest courses are a great opportunity for recent graduates to continue learning in a studio environment.”

"For a non-artist, taking Jonathan Queen's Still Life Drawing was an eye-opening experience. The visual world doesn't look the same anymore." What is the Manifest Drawing Center Studio? Manifest’s Drawing Center is a fully-equipped, 3000 square foot facility located in the historic suburb of Madisonville in Cincinnati, Ohio*. Two expansive studios allow for a variety of programs and studio courses. Natural light spills in through the large windows overlooking the surrounding neighborhood. Drawing horses and easels are available for use by participants and students, though each participant should bring his or her own drawing boards, paper, media, etc. as needed. The studio also has a range of plaster casts and busts, anatomical models, as well as life-sized skeletal and musculature models. Temporary storage areas are available for participants involved in multiple sessions. Participants are encouraged (though not required) to display their drawings around the wall as an ever-growing in-situ display of images created at the Drawing Center, as well as to post images of finished drawings and works in progress in our online 'StudioWall' found here. (Read an article featuring Manifest's Drawing Center program in Drawing Magazine here.)

*note that the studio is located on the second floor, and is accesible only by steps. What Programs Does the Drawing Center Offer? Manifest's Studio Program offers a diverse range of professionally instructed drawing courses and uninstructed 'open' sessions all centered on the Manifest mission of standing for and promoting quality in the visual arts. Our Instructed Courses are taught by local professional artists and follow an approach similar to college-level courses. They vary in subject and level of experience required depending on the current term of courses. Our Open Figure Sessions are an ongoing resource for artists of any experience level to come draw the live n**e figure independently (without instruction). Manifest's courses and sessions provide the balance of artistic rigor with an approachable atmosphere of creativity and support. A current list of our Drawing Center programs can be found here. This is updated on a roughly quarterly basis. Who Teaches at the Drawing Center? Each of our Instructed Courses and Open Figure Sessions are led by professionally-trained instructors and moderators. Many of them currently teach at the academic level in local university art and design programs. While each course differs in structure, our instructors blend a planned curriculum with a customized approach for each participant. You can learn more about our instructors here. Why Study at Manifest? Manifest’s Drawing Center is the only regional art center devoted to the discipline of drawing. (Why is drawing so important? Go here to find out!) Our desire is to cultivate an atmosphere of creative growth for local artists and designers who want to strengthen their skills and broaden their artistic network. While our programs are open to everyone, we strive to offer a high-quality experience that inspires the serious artist in his or her art-making endeavors. How Can I Get Involved? Visit: http://www.manifestdrawingcenter.org

DARKROOM (Re)FRESHERSThe first Sunday of every month | 3:30 - 5:30 pmLed by Resident Instructor Michael WilsonAre you in...
08/30/2026

DARKROOM (Re)FRESHERS
The first Sunday of every month | 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Led by Resident Instructor Michael Wilson

Are you interested in developing film and printing in the community darkroom for the first time?
Interested in returning to photography after a long hiatus?

The Darkroom Refresher is the perfect thing for you!

During each session, Michael Wilson will demonstrate the procedures and fundamentals of black and white film processing and enlargement printing in the darkroom.

After participating in the refresher, we encourage participants to stay for the Open Photography Lab hours to try out the processes themselves and receive one-on-one feedback.

Please note: students who complete this workshop will then be qualified to access the community darkroom during weekly Open Lab hours in the future.

Are you interested in learning more?
Visit:
https://manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/photo/refresher

STUDY HALLFridays; 1:30 - 4 pmSundays; 4:30 - 7pmHave you been needing some extra low stress, no pressure drawing time?T...
08/29/2026

STUDY HALL
Fridays; 1:30 - 4 pm
Sundays; 4:30 - 7pm

Have you been needing some extra low stress, no pressure drawing time?

The Study Hall hours are a 100% free opportunity, each and every week, for those looking to further their own creative studies.

Akin to an independent study, these hours are an uninstructed opportunity to come in to the M1 studio and work on personal projects.

Please note: while a free opportunity, we do ask for interested participants to register at least 24 hours in advance (so we know to expect you).

Gather your project and materials of choice and register online at:
http://www.manifestdrawingcenter.org/studyhall

AN EXTENDED PORTRAIT SESSIONThe first Sunday of each month | 10 am - 4 pm*(*with a 1 hour lunch break from 12 - 1pm)Look...
08/28/2026

AN EXTENDED PORTRAIT SESSION

The first Sunday of each month | 10 am - 4 pm*
(*with a 1 hour lunch break from 12 - 1pm)

Looking for more added Portrait drawing time in your life?

The monthly Extended Portrait Session is for you!
We invite you to join us the first Sunday of each month for the extended hours, which allow participants to work from a clothed model in a single pose for up to 5 hours.

As with all Open Figure Life Drawing sessions, the Drawing Center’s relaxed yet vibrant, no-pressure environment inevitably leads to new learning, support, and productivity that complements formal study at the high school, college, or professional level.

Please note: Block pass holders will have two visits marked off their pass for the extended portrait sessions.

Gather up your supplies of choice and register online by visiting:
https://www.manifestdrawingcenter.org

Image: Drawing by Gregory Corrigan

INTRO TO LITHOGRAPHYSundays | 9 am - 1 pmSeptember 6 - 27, 2026Registration Deadline: September 3, 2026Instructed by Aly...
08/27/2026

INTRO TO LITHOGRAPHY

Sundays | 9 am - 1 pm
September 6 - 27, 2026
Registration Deadline: September 3, 2026

Instructed by Alyssa Baker

Are you interested in learning a new artistic process?

In Intro to Lithography, students will learn the essentials of stone lithography: from stone graining and preparation to image transfers and etching, this course is the perfect starting point for learning this unique process.

An additional note: while enrolled in Introduction to Lithography, students may attend open print lab hours outside of instruction hours for no additional cost for the duration of the 4-week introductory course.

To find more information and register, visit:
https://manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/printmaking/intro_litho/

INTRO TO ETCHINGTUESDAYS | 6 - 9 pmSeptember 8 - 29, 2026Registration Deadline: September 5, 2026Instructed by Alyssa Ba...
08/26/2026

INTRO TO ETCHING

TUESDAYS | 6 - 9 pm
September 8 - 29, 2026
Registration Deadline: September 5, 2026

Instructed by Alyssa Baker

Running from September 8 - 29, this course will guide students through the essentials of cover plate preparation, hardground line etching, aquatint, and the printmaking process.

Students will go through an orientation to Manifest’s print studio, safety procedures, and tool and material policies all while learning the fundamentals of the etching process.

While enrolled in Introduction to Etching, participants may attend open print lab hours outside of instruction hours for no additional cost for the duration of the 4-week introductory course.

To find more information and register, visit:
https://manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/printmaking/intro_etching/

SIX DAYS. $7,000 TO GO.Manifest’s 22nd season closes on August 31, and we are $7,000 short of matching last season’s Ann...
08/25/2026

SIX DAYS. $7,000 TO GO.

Manifest’s 22nd season closes on August 31, and we are $7,000 short of matching last season’s Annual Fund support.

Annual Fund gifts directly determine how much Manifest can provide in scholarships and discounted access to studio programming. They also give our small staff the capacity to keep our exhibitions, studios, publications, artist support, and public programs moving forward while major work continues on our permanent home.

Capital support secures the home. Annual Fund support sustains what will happen inside it.

A gift of any size today will help us finish Season 22 strong and carry that momentum into Season 23.

MAKE YOUR ANNUAL FUND GIFT OF ANY AMOUNT, EVEN $1, BY AUGUST 31:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=DUK2RXJ2UJ8P2&source=url

If you have already given, our entire team is grateful for your support.

Pictured: Artists at work during a recent week-long Manifest Drawing Center workshop focused on the figure in colored pencil.

“Quality is not a thing. It is an event.”
“Quality tends to fan out like waves.”
—Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

OPEN FIGURE LIFE DRAWINGTuesdays + Thursdays | 6:30 - 9:30 pmWednesdays | 7 - 9 pmFridays | 11:30 am - 1:30 pmSundays | ...
08/24/2026

OPEN FIGURE LIFE DRAWING
Tuesdays + Thursdays | 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Wednesdays | 7 - 9 pm
Fridays | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Sundays | 10 am - 12pm

Open Figure Sessions are an opportunity to work from a live model side-by-side with fellow creatives in the community. Taking place in our low stress, no pressure studio environment, it is a supportive environment for creative study and development.

Even better: the Drawing Center features sessions nearly every day of the week—with extended hours taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Whether interested in exploring portraiture, refining details with a longer pose, or sketching some quick poses and gesture drawings, there’s an option that’s right for you.

Gather your painting or drawing materials of choice and register for a future session by visiting:
www.manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/openfigure

OPEN PHOTOGRAPHY LABSundays - Thursdays | 6 - 10 pmThe Open Photography Lab hours are a weekly opportunity for uninstruc...
08/22/2026

OPEN PHOTOGRAPHY LAB
Sundays - Thursdays | 6 - 10 pm

The Open Photography Lab hours are a weekly opportunity for uninstructed access to our analog darkroom and film processing facilities.

If you’ve had some film you’ve been meaning to process: this is the opportunity for you!

Is it your first time visiting the darkroom?
All new users must first complete a Darkroom ReFresher session, held on the first Sunday of each month.

Please note: tickets must be claimed 24 hours in advance to guarantee that a moderator will be present at the lab.
To discover more information and register, visit:
https://www.manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/photo/

INTRO TO ETCHINGTUESDAYS | 6 - 9 pmSeptember 8 - 29, 2026Registration Deadline: September 5, 2026Instructed by Alyssa Ba...
08/20/2026

INTRO TO ETCHING

TUESDAYS | 6 - 9 pm
September 8 - 29, 2026
Registration Deadline: September 5, 2026

Instructed by Alyssa Baker

In this course, students will acquire a basic understanding of the copper plate etching process, including cover plate preparation, hardground line etching, aquatint, and the printing process.

As a bonus: while enrolled in Intro to etching, participants may attend open print lab hours outside of instruction hours for no additional cost for the duration of the 4-week course.

Interested in reading more?
To find more information and register, visit:
https://manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/printmaking/intro_etching/

STUDY HALLFridays; 1:30 - 4 pmSundays; 4:30 - 7pmDid you know: we have weekly FREE hours to be able to come in and work ...
08/19/2026

STUDY HALL
Fridays; 1:30 - 4 pm
Sundays; 4:30 - 7pm

Did you know: we have weekly FREE hours to be able to come in and work in our studios?

During Study Hall hours, those who register online can come in to our creative and engaging studio space and draw, each and every week. Similar to an independent study, these hours are for those interested in a more self-guided study opportunity.

Practice is key when developing creative skills, and we are here to help encourage that growth.

While a free opportunity, we do ask that interested participants register online at least 24 hours in advance (so we know to expect you):
To register and read more, visit:
http://www.manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/workshops/cast

Address

3464 Central Parkway
Cincinnati, OH
45223

Opening Hours

Monday 6pm - 10pm
Tuesday 6pm - 10pm
Wednesday 6pm - 10pm
Thursday 6pm - 10pm
Friday 1:30pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4:30pm
Sunday 10am - 10pm

Telephone

+15138613638

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Manifest Drawing Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Manifest Drawing Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Category