108 Leonard, in partnership with New York Academy of Art (NYAA) will be hosting a virtual drawing event on @108_Leonard ’s Instagram Live with 108 Leonard’s first Artist-in-Residence, Tabitha Whitley. From 12-1pm, Tabitha will be demonstrating how to draw a bowl of fruit; all you need is a pencil, paper, and a bowl of fruit!

Participants are encouraged to tag their drawings and photos from the class with #Drawingwith108Leonard so that we can see all of the work. #QuarantineArtClub #TogetheratHome #IsolationCreation 

The virtual event is part of a new and exciting Artist in Residency program that recently launched at the building as a result of a partnership between 108 Leonard and New York Academy of Art (NYAA), which, which emphasizes the natural synergy between art and design. 

The program recently kicked off with its first artist, Tabitha Whitley, an alumnus of NYAA, who creates contemporary pieces that explore themes about her heritage. Combining techniques from European art with aesthetics from African art, Tabitha creates works that reflect her feelings on her ow African and European ancestry.

The AIR program is designed to offer residents a peek into the works in progress by emerging artists, both current students and alumni of the Academy. The selected artists are provided a space within the building to use as a studio space and to display and work on their pieces. With its soaring heights and breathtaking natural light, 108 Leonard offers artists the ideal environment to create and display their work.

The program will continue for several months with a rotating roster of artists from NYAA. Completed works of art will also be displayed throughout the building.