In October 2026, The Big Draw promotes drawing as a universal language and a powerful way to focus, relax and share the creative process with others The artistic community of Monmouth is rising to this challenge and will use enormous sheets of cardboard provided by Tri-Wall to illustrate Monmouth past, present and future.

This lightweight durable magic material forms the perfect art canvas. Working in collaboration with Empty Space CIC, Monmouth Comprehensive, Haberdashers’ Monmouth, U3A, Monmouth Library & Community and numerous local artists will achieve a collective hanging/suspended mural.

‘Then.Now.Next’ will be exhibited from Monday 19th October and continue for at least a month at Monmouth Library and Community Hub until another partner will display in their space as a fold-able screen .

Helen Wragg told the Beacon: “We are very thankful to Monmouthshire Building Society for suggesting and sponsoring art aprons. Protective garments have long been desired as the many brilliant painters who illustrated the living shop windows in our town, most notably the Oldway Centre and Church Street, will recall!

“Organizers across the globe are hosting hands-on workshops and large scale collaborative projects so it is exciting that we in Monmouth are taking part”.

Open pop-up draw workshop led by Empty Space CIC artists are on Saturday 10th and 17th October between 10am-12 noon in the main library space.

Monmouth Town Council has endorsed this initiative through a grant to help cover resources and artist workshops.

All welcome For further information please contact Empty Space CIC on [email protected]

‘Living Windows’ was the first project of Empty Space CIC (Community Interest Company) set up to provide a benefit to the community they serve with simply one target: an idea to invigorate, excite and bring change to the town.

Using a special glass paint that is temporary, they find somewhere that has ‘dead windows’ and bring them back to life.