Lust of the draw

Anti-Art School Cabaret wants you to get more out of drawing nudies

INTERVIEW. Forget everything you thought you knew about art school life drawing classes. Well, almost everything.  That modicum of artistic talent might come in handy at Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Cabaret Life Drawing Class, although, says organizer Aliza Shapiro, it’s by no means required. Instead, all you’ll need “is an interest in getting started or getting better.” The event, half performance art and half class, with franchises in more than 50 cities throughout the world, takes place monthly at Great Scott.

How does this differ from regular drawing class?
When you’re in art school, you get a lot of experience drawing models who are naked. They’re usually bored and uninspired, and there is this fifth wall thing where you don’t engage with them and they don’t engage with you. They’re naked “others.” You’re a student, you’re stressed out and trying to produce so you can get critiqued at the end of class. Usually you don’t engage with the other students, even. I hear this from a lot of people, and it was my personal experience. ... We encourage talking between the model and the artists. I ask leading questions and engage in some dialogue. ... The audience/artists cheer for the models and great poses, and also there is tipping involved. ... There are breaks for folks to get a drink at the bar or food, and we listen to music.

So, it is more of a fun environment than a studious one?
Oh, totally fun. I mean, people are making serious drawings, some with a lot of skill, but we’re having fun doing it. Most folks can talk, draw and listen to music at the same time. We’ve got some photos of drawings up at www.truthserum.org/photos if you want to see proof! There are some really gorgeous sketches.

Anything special planned for this Sunday?
Max and Will, our (rare male) models ... have some fabulous costumes arranged: Santa and elf, boxer and “waterboy,” cop and criminal. The models are encouraged to come up with concepts and wacky costumes that slowly get peeled off.

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Cabaret Life Drawing Class
Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
Great Scott
1222 Comm. Ave., Allston
MBTA: Green B Line to Harvard Ave.
$7, 18+, 617-566-9014
www.greatscottboston.com