Sketch Club at the Times Theater hosts first gathering Sept. 26

Matt and Julie Sutton are once again artistically inspiring the community with Sketch Club, a new group for artists to connect and create together. 

Sketch Club's first meeting is scheduled for Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. in the Char-Bell Studio next door to The Times Theater, 616 Main St in Rochester. The group is open to all ages and participants are asked to bring their own sketchbooks, ink, watercolors, or other any other mediums. For more information on future gatherings you can follow Sketch Club at the Times Theater's Facebook page. 

The Sutton's initial goal with the group was to create a communal setting for local artists where they can create together while learning from each other. Any art medium is welcome, and while there is no age limit or skill level required to attend, all participants are expected to be responsible for cleaning up their own mess. 

Currently working as a professional illustrator for several companies, Matt says Sketch Club's idea was partially based off similar gatherings he's attended for companies who have more than a dozen artists create together and inspire each other. 

“There's just something about a group of artists creating in the same room at the same time that just lights you up. You can kinda push each other to do new things to create interesting stuff,“ Matt said. 

Collaborating in art even lead Matt and Julie towards their marriage, with the couple first meeting while attending Rochester High School as students in Art Club. The Sutton's passion for inspiring, collaborating, and cultivating art have been a theme in not only their relationship, but also the community. Taking a lead to help inspire others, Matt and Julie have hosted and lead many community art classes, donated art supplies to local schools, and in 2015 the Sutton helped establish the JEM Art Educator Fund with the Northern Indiana Community Foundation to provide support for fine arts within Rochester Indiana Community Schools. 

'I think art is one of those things, in general, that's always the last thing on people's agenda. It's not always a priority, but it's so important. You just got to have a place to enjoy it,“ Matt said.