Artists find inspiration in lingerie-clad models at Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School

Burlesque dancers in Oakland now have a new way of showing off their fishnet stockings and sexy lingerie—as models for Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, an international alternative drawing movement. The East Bay branch of Dr. Sketchy’s had its premiere event Saturday afternoon at Layover Lounge, where more than a dozen artists—and even those who were a bit artistically-challenged—gathered to sketch three members of the local dance troupe, the Can-Cannibals.

Dottie Lux, the producer of San Francisco-based Red Hots Burlesque, is spearheading the East Bay’s branch of Dr. Sketchy’s. Lux, one of the original models for this art movement, wanted to showcase local burlesque dancers while at the same time providing a relaxed environment for people to draw and experience an unconventional way of figure drawing. The dancers varied their poses—creatively conjured up by the dancers themselves—and held them for either one, five, ten, or twenty minutes, over the span of about three hours.

“I love building the community between performance artists and visual artists,” Lux said. “We have people that are usually seen on cabaret stages performing, but for the most part they’re here to be drawn. They’re modeling in their regular costumes and in their usual environments.”

Dr. Sketchy’s East Bay will have their drawing sessions on the second Saturday of each month. For exact time, date and location, visit their website. Cost is $10 for presale tickets and $12 at the door. Artists are asked to supply their own materials.