Grotesque Burlesque Keeps C2E2 Spirit Alive with Inclusive Figure Drawing

Darick Maasen and Josh Rogers have built a welcoming community over 13 years of weekly drawing sessions in Chicago.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:08am

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An extreme close-up of a tangle of artist's brushes in a variety of colors, conceptually representing the collaborative, creative spirit of the Grotesque Burlesque figure drawing collective.The vibrant, inclusive community of Grotesque Burlesque celebrates the creative energy and camaraderie of Chicago's figure drawing scene.Chicago Today

Darick Maasen and Josh Rogers are the founders of the Grotesque Burlesque figure drawing collective, which has been hosting free, inclusive drawing sessions in Chicago for over 13 years. What started as just the two of them and a friend posing has grown into a vibrant community of artists of all skill levels who gather weekly to draw models from diverse backgrounds. The group has moved through various spaces but now calls Hidden Light Tattoo in Ravenswood its home, where they welcome anyone to join, with suggested donations to cover the cost of models.

Why it matters

In an era when major conventions like C2E2 have faced criticism for corporate ownership and lack of community engagement, Grotesque Burlesque represents a grassroots, artist-driven effort to create a welcoming space for local creatives to connect, explore their craft, and build lasting friendships. The group's open-door policy and focus on fostering an inclusive, judgment-free environment stand in contrast to more exclusive figure drawing clubs.

The details

Maasen and Rogers started Grotesque Burlesque in 2013, initially meeting in Rogers' living room with a friend posing as a model. As word spread, the group quickly grew, eventually moving to larger venues like a burlesque speakeasy before settling in their current home at Hidden Light Tattoo. The sessions run from 7:30 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday, with one or two models posing as artists of all skill levels gather to draw. Maasen and Rogers have welcomed a diverse array of models, from first-timers to professional performers, across gender identities and body types. While they suggest donations to cover model fees and rent, they emphasize that the sessions are open to anyone who wants to join, with the goal of fostering community and creative expression rather than strict technical training.

  • Grotesque Burlesque was founded in 2013.
  • The group has been hosting weekly figure drawing sessions for 13 years.

The players

Darick Maasen

Co-founder of the Grotesque Burlesque figure drawing collective.

Josh Rogers

Co-founder of the Grotesque Burlesque figure drawing collective.

Hidden Light Tattoo

The current venue hosting the Grotesque Burlesque figure drawing sessions in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“There's a lot of really great figure drawing clubs in Chicago that are very quiet and you need to be of a certain skill level or whatever to attend and that's just not our vibe. We play music, we talk. It's as much of a social club as it is a figure drawing group.”

— Darick Maasen, Co-founder, Grotesque Burlesque

“This is free, but the sessions themselves are like suggested donations, but we'd rather have people come and draw it.”

— Josh Rogers, Co-founder, Grotesque Burlesque

What’s next

Grotesque Burlesque plans to continue hosting their weekly figure drawing sessions at Hidden Light Tattoo, welcoming new and returning artists to join their inclusive community.

The takeaway

In an era when major conventions like C2E2 have faced criticism for corporate ownership and lack of community engagement, Grotesque Burlesque represents a grassroots, artist-driven effort to create a welcoming space for local creatives to connect, explore their craft, and build lasting friendships. The group's open-door policy and focus on fostering an inclusive, judgment-free environment stand in contrast to more exclusive figure drawing clubs.