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Founded in Zurich in 1992, Hauser & Wirth is a family business with a global outlook, representing over 90 artists and estates who have been instrumental in shaping its identity and who are the inspiration for Hauser & Wirth’s diverse range of activities that engage with art, education, conservation and sustainability. In addition to presenting a dynamic schedule of exhibitions, the gallery collaborates with renowned curators to present museum quality surveys and invests considerable resources in new scholarship and research.
Hauser & Wirth have taken part in The Big Draw Festival for a number of years, running Big Draw events in multiple of their global locations, and we're delighted to have them on board as Festival Partners for our 25th anniversary year! We couldn't wait to catch up with Henny, Learning Manager at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, to find out more about their event last year as part of The Big Draw Festival 2024: Drawing in Motion, and what they have planned for 2025...
Could you tell us a bit about Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles and your role as Learning Manager?
As Learning Manager in LA, I support our educational programs and promote access for many learning participants through our nonprofit partnerships and collaborations. My role allows me to collaborate with my local and global colleagues, ensuring our programs are consistent with the gallery’s core values and are embedded within our wider activities.
What makes the Learning Programme at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles unique?
The global Learning program is centered around three pillars: community engagement, academic access beyond the classroom, and providing art career access. As Downtown Los Angeles is one of the gallery’s art centers, our programs emphasize working with our longstanding partners and collaborators. Our artists and estates often express enthusiasm to work with our learners, offering a wide range of activities and programs which allows us to think outside the box.
Last year’s Big Draw event at Hauser & Wirth LA invited participants to use remote-controlled and matchbox cars to create collaborative drawings on a racetrack - this sounds so fun and creative, we’d love to hear more!
Yes, we were inspired by our artist Jason Rhoades and his yearlong ‘DRIVE’ exhibition. The show featured many of his car-related projects including a work that spotlights half scale NASCARs which were raced and filmed at a desert track in Los Angeles. We collaborated with our Art Technicians team to create a small-scale racetrack. Staying true to Rhoades’ use of unconventional art materials, we proposed using small RV vehicles as our drawing tools.
What kind of responses did you get from participants at the event? Any memorable or unexpected moments?
The response to the event was incredibly positive. We had a great mix of returning participants from previous programs and newcomers who discovered the activity after viewing the exhibition. Many commented on how the workshop connected to Jason Rhoades’ work, which sparked meaningful engagement. A particularly memorable aspect was how enthusiastic participants became about the "race" element - watching their marks build up over time added a playful and competitive energy.
This year’s Big Draw theme is ‘Drawn Together’, a celebration of community, collaboration and connection. What does this theme mean to you, and how does it resonate with your work at Hauser & Wirth?
The theme of ‘Drawn Together’ feels especially meaningful this year, as Los Angeles continues to face challenges that make the need for community and connection more urgent than ever. At Hauser & Wirth, this theme resonates deeply with our commitment to create inclusive, engaging, and safe spaces where people can come together through art and be present. Providing accessible programming that brings audiences into an exploratory dialogue isn’t just part of our mission - it’s what makes our work truly impactful. Planning events like The Big Draw is worthwhile because it reaffirms our presence in the community and our dedication to fostering collaboration, creativity, and lasting connections.
Hauser & Wirth have run Big Draw events across their global locations for a number of years now. We’re absolutely delighted to have you on board as Festival Partners for our 25th anniversary year! What are some of the benefits you see in taking part in The Big Draw Festival?
Happy 25th anniversary! It’s truly an honour to be part of such a global celebration and to support The Big Draw’s mission - showing that drawing, in all its traditional and untraditional forms, is a universal language for creativity, expression, and wellbeing. Being part of The Big Draw Festival allows us to deepen our connection with the community through accessible, joyful programming. One of the greatest benefits is witnessing genuine moments of connection - between participants, and between participants and our exhibitions and artists’ work. It creates a kind of perfect triangle: community, creativity, and conversation.
How do you think drawing can help people engage with what they see in museums and galleries?
Drawing can be a powerful tool for helping people engage more deeply with what they see in museums and galleries. I’ve seen it happen across our Hauser & Wirth locations - when thoughtfully designed, drawing programs don’t ask participants to replicate what’s on the walls, but to respond to it in a personal and creative way. It’s not about copying an artist’s style - it is about being inspired by their practice and exploring the ideas behind the work. Drawing in its simplest form of mark making can be a form of dialogue, inviting participants into the conversation and creating an active connection with the art.
Do you have any advice or tips for other galleries interested in running their own Big Draw events?
My advice would be to really lean into the Big Draw themes and approach them with openness and creativity. Think broadly about how the theme can connect to your current programming - it’s a great way to bridge multiple access points and highlight the unique character of your space. If a direct connection isn’t available, revisit programs that have resonated well with your audiences in the past. Building on what already works can be a strong foundation, especially when shaped through the lens of The Big Draw’s focus on creativity, inclusion, and community. Most importantly, keep it welcoming and flexible - these events are about engagement, not perfection.
Thanks so much, Henny!
To find out more about The Big Draw Festival and how you can get involved, click here.
