The Urban Sketchers Colombo (USk Colombo) is heading to the scenic and historic city of Galle on December 7, 2025, for the third installment of its highly engaging initiative, “Retaining the City”. It is a series of lively sketch and history walks that are held across Sri Lanka, starting from Negombo, Kandy, Galle and finally ending with Colombo.
USk Colombo, in collaboration with the Collective for Historical Dialogue and Memory (CHDM), was a recipient of the Urban Sketchers Regional Grant Program for the project ‘Retaining the City’. USk Colombo was one of five chapters worldwide that were selected for the 2025-2026 grant season. Other lucky recipients for the same cycle included groups from Stuttgart (Germany), Guadalajara (Mexico), the Cuezon (Philippines), and (Asheville, NJ) USA.
The main activity of the project, covering the period from September 2025 to January 2026, is to hold ‘Sketch & History Walks’ in four iconic Sri Lankan cities, dedicated to visually preserving the unique character and heritage of our cities before they undergo change due to renovation or repurposing. At each of the walks, a locally based guide or historian accompanies the team of sketchers along the curated walk to explain the historical, architectural and cultural significance of each place. After the four sketch walks, an exhibition will be held in Colombo, showcasing selected sketches from each of the locations.
“Seeing the photos and videos shared by the participants after the first two events was such a great reward for our efforts. We had a lot of people joining us from those cities, in addition to the group that traveled from Colombo. We are really looking forward to the Galle event on 7th of December”. The Project Lead, Anjula Godakumbura stated.
After the success of the recent sketch and history walk held in Kandy, the sketchers will visit the maritime city of Galle, with an exciting tour of the Fort , focusing on its lesser known attractions. The popular ‘Art’o’San’ gallery is a key collaborator for this event.
Join artists of all skill levels, students, historians, and the general public to observe, document, and connect with Galle Fort’s urban stories through live, on-location sketches. It’s an opportunity to pause, see the city, and celebrate its heritage through art.
JOIN THE USC SKETCH AND HISTORY WALK IN GALLE –
Date: Sunday, 07th Dec, 2025 l Time: 9 AM – 1 PM l Start Point : Art’o’San Gallery l End Point : Opposite ‘Amangalla’
If you would like to join the Urban Sketchers for the event in Galle Fort :
REGISTER on https://forms.gle/qy8SUK2bhAv3LDEP7
Spots are limited -This is a FREE event for all ages and skill levels.
Bring your sketch pads, pencils and colours. Also a hat, water, and perhaps a foldable chair/mat to sit on.
The event is organized by @urbansketcherscolombo collaboration with the Collective for Historical Dialogue and Memory (CHDM) and Art’o’San Gallery.
BY NELUM BUDDHADASA
