The Gateway Art Gallery is thrilled to host Sketchtoberfest 2025 on Saturday, October 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This FREE event celebrates the worldwide Inktober movement while spotlighting the history, beauty, and charm of downtown Lake City with a sketch crawl. We’ll kick off the day at the Gallery with coffee, fruit, and croissants at check-in, then set up at Olustee Park right across the street and move through three sketch stops, each featuring a 30-minute black-and-white or single-color sketch challenge*:
- Courthouse Square – Hatching & crosshatching architecture
- Lake DeSoto – Stippling leaves and foliage
- Blanche Hotel (exterior) and Marion Street– Expressive Linework (Thick & Thin)
Artists of all ages and skill levels are welcome to join in. We’ll have facilitators on hand at each stop to answer questions or help guide participants through the challenges. The event wraps up at the Gallery with prizes, refreshments, and fun. Selected participant artwork will be placed on display in the Gallery’s front window.
*A note about the Challenges
While we encourage you to do the challenges with pen and ink in keeping with the spirit of Inktober, you are more than welcomed to use another medium if you wish. Plein air painters using any medium are welcomed to participate, but keep in mind that each location only allows for about 30 minutes of sketching time, and the challenges are designed more for sketching than painting. If you do use another medium, you are encouraged to use only one color as if it were ink. But you are of course free to use whatever medium you prefer. The main goal is to go out, sketch, and HAVE FUN!
VIP Pass
For our inaugural year, we’re introducing a VIP Pass for a $10 donation (Available through October 15th.) VIP perks include:
- Pen, pencil, and sketchbook
- Exclusive, collectible “Sketchtoberfest Lake City 2025” button/badge
- Guaranteed artwork featured in the Gallery window
- 5 bonus raffle tickets for the prize baskets
Whether you’re a seasoned sketcher or just picking up a sketchpad for the first time, this is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a creative celebration in downtown Lake City. Bring your sketchbook, join the fun, and let’s make Sketchtoberfest 2025 an event to remember!
Supplies you’ll need to bring:
- Folding chair
- Sketchbook, pen/pencil(s) Note: VIP pass holders will receive these at check-in.
- Bottled water and snacks (optional but recommended – There is a water cooler at the Gallery.)
- Bug spray (optional but recommended)
- Sunscreen or other UV protection (optional but recommended)
Important information:
- All participants will need to sign a liability waiver at check-in.
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- No tents or other structures are permitted in the park.
- For the comfort and safety of all participants, we ask that pets remain at home.
- The Gallery’s restroom is old and fragile, and is therefore only available for customer and staff use. Please use the public restrooms in the park during the event.
- Supplies will be available for purchase on the day of the event. (VIP pass holders will receive a complementary pen and sketchbook at check-in.)
What is Inktober?
Inktober* is a worldwide art challenge started in 2009 by illustrator Jake Parker. Each October, artists of all skill levels commit to creating one ink drawing a day, guided by a list of daily prompts. The goal is simple: build creative habits, practice drawing skills, and have fun sharing art with a global community. Over the years, it has grown into a movement with millions of participants who post their work online throughout the month.
View 2025 Inktober prompts here
*Sketchtoberfest 2025: Lake City Sketch Crawl is inspired by Inktober but is not an official Inktober event nor affiliated with Inktober in any way.
