Sketchy Characters is an in-person member meet up with a purpose - to bring illustrators and authors together to learn from each other and practice our craft!

We meet at Bakery Square Plaza (6425 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206), indoors in the dining area during the cold months or at the Schenley Plaza Tent during the warmer months.

We have a Sketchy Characters Spooky Edition each October, in the evening! During this special meetup, we will get dinner at D's Six Pax and Dogz in Regent Square and have a spooky story walk later on!

We do drawing and writing exercises as a group, share what we learn, talk shop, and brainstorm new ideas.

This is a great way to meet local members and build our creative community!

Check back here often for updates on the next date and location as we vary where and when we meet.

This event is completely FREE and made possible by a grant from SCBWI and the Author's Coalition of America.

Questions? Contact Laura Garvin, Illustrator Coordinator – [email protected]

Upcoming Meetups:

Sunday, July 12 2026 11 am - Schenley Plaza Tent (4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260)

Sunday, Aug 16 2026 11 am - Schenley Plaza Tent (4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260)

Sunday, Sept 27 2026 11 am - Schenley Plaza Tent (4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260)

Sunday, Oct 18 2026 6 pm - SPOOKY EDITION - D's Six Pax and Dogz (1118 S Braddock Ave, Swissvale, PA 15218)

Sunday, Nov 15 2026 11 am - Bakery Square Plaza Galley (6425 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

Sunday, Dec 13 2026 11 am - Bakery Square Plaza Galley (6425 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

Note: In 2027, we will switch to 12 pm for every meet but October's!

Sunday, Jan 17 2027 12 pm - Bakery Square Plaza Galley (6425 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

Sunday, Feb 21 2027 12 pm - Bakery Square Plaza Galley (6425 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

Sunday, Mar 21 2027 12 pm - Bakery Square Plaza Galley (6425 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

Sunday, Apr 18 2027 12 pm - Bakery Square Plaza Galley (6425 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

Sunday, May 23 2027 12 pm - Schenley Plaza Tent (4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260)

Sunday, June 20 2027 12 pm - Schenley Plaza Tent (4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260)

Sunday, July 18 2027 12 pm - Schenley Plaza Tent (4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260)

Sunday, Aug 22 2027 12 pm - Schenley Plaza Tent (4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260)

Sunday, Sept 19 2027 12 pm - Schenley Plaza Tent (4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260)

Sunday, Oct 24 2027 6 pm - SPOOKY EDITION - D's Six Pax and Dogz (1118 S Braddock Ave, Swissvale, PA 15218)

Sunday, Nov 21 2027 12 pm - Bakery Square Plaza Galley (6425 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

Sunday, Dec 12 2027 12 pm - Bakery Square Plaza Galley (6425 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)

Please drop in at any point – if you can’t be there for the whole time, that’s ok!