Third places are
increasingly rare,
but greatly needed
Photo by Alice Plati
It all started with a small NYC apartment and a desire to connect through creativity.
Angela (our founder!) started hosting claydates, playdates with clay, from her apartment. She hosted people around her own dinner table and in her living room.
Drawing Room is your home away from home… a second living room in the city. A space to spark creativity, joy, and new connections.
There’s a magic that happens when you engage with intention – connection, learning, joy. This brings our city to life; we think that’s worth investing in.
Did you know the drawing room used to be an alternative name for a living room?
A drawing room used to be a space for people to sit and relax, or entertain. For example after dinner, people would withdraw to their drawing room from the dining room, to feel more comfortable and relaxed after a big meal. We also draw here – how perfect!
Why is creativity the foundation at Drawing Room?
Working with our hands to create something out of nothing is grounding. Disarming. Nostalgic. It eases connection with our ourselves and others. We were built on a foundation of creativity, learning, and expression – we think it is an amazing way to get out of our heads and approach the world with a bit of childlike open-mindedness. Gather around the table with new friends and we think you’ll surprise yourself!
Meet the team
Zoe Wallace (she/her), Blog Manager and Host at Drawing Room, is a writer and poet obsessed with the art of storytelling. She believes everyone has a story to tell and aims to empower others to express their own through whatever modality calls to them. She loves writing silly haikus and you might just find one hiding around Drawing Room!
Khamkay (come-kai) Inthavong (she/her) is a Host at Drawing Room. She has previously worked in non-profit art spaces and is passionate about revitalizing communities through education and creative engagement. In her free time, she enjoys sketching and making collages.
Aubrey Aiese (EYE-AYE-SEE) (she/her), Host and Instructor of Claydates at Drawing Room, is an illustrator and ceramic artist from Brooklyn, New York. She makes handmade, one of a kind ceramics with playfully illustrated faces and feelings.
Angela Lee (she/her), founder and host at Drawing Room, loves to create in virtually any medium. She is passionate about creating community, inclusive third spaces, and beautiful things.
Andrea Resendiz (she/they) is a Host at Drawing Room, and a multi talented Mexican artist whose creative freedom ranges from sculpting to tattooing. Andrea is passionate about creating more accessible art spaces, and prioritizes highlighting her environment and all folk that live in it.
Meiying Thai (she/her), Instructor and Host at Drawing Room, is a multidisciplinary artist. She loves helping people nurture their creativity, and approaches art making with a sense of play and joy.
Aaisha Bhuiyan (she/her), Instructor of Pen to Paper workshops at Drawing Room, is a published writer and community organizer. She loves to bring people together and engage in meaningful reflection. Her writing practice is guided by meditative thought exercises and playful prompts.
Gina Darnaud is our Community Operations Manager. She loves a good spreadsheet to make sure the details don’t get lost in the sauce. She also believes in the power of community care so cultivating spaces for community + creativity is her jam!
Rachel Herron, writing instructor at Drawing Room, is a playwright and storyteller based in Brooklyn. She loves inspiring others to use words to express their deepest vulnerabilities and form meaningful connections.
HOURS & LOCATION &
HOURS & LOCATION &
Our location is in Chelsea, Manhattan.
Our address is
247 W 30th St
(lobby code 1223),
Unit #9R,
New York, NY 10001.
There is elevator access to the 9th floor.
Please refer to our Google Maps page for the most accurate opening and closing hours, as they may vary depending on holidays or private rentals. We also recommend you follow us and refer to our Instagram for any time-sensitive announcements.
Great experience design extends beyond any single medium – music, ambiance, food, drinks, conversation, and purpose.
Gatherings at Drawing Room embody countless elements of thoughtful curation for your enjoyment. Stretch your creative brain, relax, connect with people, and share an experience – the vibes, the laughs, the present moment – to make new memories.