The National Building Museum hosts its third annual THE BIG DRAW, a free day-long festival that invites visitors of all ages to discover the power of drawing as a tool for better understanding the world around us. 

A standout attraction at this year’s festival will be a live drawing demonstration and smaller guided workshops from David Macaulay, Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator. Macaulay’s book, Rome Antics is featured in a special gallery within the Museum’s long-term exhibition Building Stories that explores the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and design through the lens of children’s books. A special reprint of the Rome Antics book was recently released in conjunction with the exhibition. Complimentary copies will be available to participants in THE BIG DRAW while supplies last. Macaulay and Building Stories were featured last spring in a segment on CBS Sunday Morning. David Macaulay is well-known for his illustrated nonfiction books that explain complex subjects through clear, witty drawings and storytelling such as The Way Things Work.

THE BIG DRAW complements Building Stories and marks the official launch of the Museum’s program for the 2026 Building Readers Club, which offers curated books and monthly activities that inspire children to explore their world and engage with their communities.

Other highlights of THE BIG DRAW include:

• A coloring book workshop with multidisciplinary D.C. artist Trap Bob and the opportunity to contribute to a four-foot tall coloring book
• A Virtual Reality drawing experience with artist Tomasz Wiktor, and an exploration of Polish influences on American architecture with the Polish Embassy.
• Insights from architectural professionals about the role of drawing in their work
• Positive Chalk’s “Chalk Mural” 
• Interactive storytime sessions, among other activities.

*Visitors are welcome to bring their own sketchbooks or use materials provided by the Museum.

The Museum’s café Konbini by Daikaya, and a food truck from Haute Dogs will also be on site to satiate hungry artists! 

THE BIG DRAW is free with registration. Register here.

WHEN

Saturday, March 14 from 10 AM – 5 PM 

• 10:00–11:30 am - Illustrator Trap Bob Coloring Book Workshop  
• 10:15 - 11:45 am and 1:15 - 1:45 pm -  Interactive Storytimes: 
• 11 -11:45 am - David Macaulay Drawing Demonstration 
• 1:15–4:45 pm - David Macaulay Guided Workshop – (Participants 10 and older are encouraged to pre-register for FREE, 30-minute drawing workshops with David Macaulay. See the schedule and pre-register HERE.) 

WHERE

National Building Museum 401 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

THE BIG DRAW is a FREE Community Day at the National  Building Museum. The entire Museum is FREE and open to the public on Saturday, March 14 from 10 AM – 5 PM.