Got a napkin? You might just sketch the next big thing. At least that’s what some University of Virginia students are betting on with their upcoming napkin sketching fundraiser. Move over, cocktail napkin business plans — it’s time for some architectural artistry for a good cause.

About the fundraiser

The UVA chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students, in collaboration with Sketch@UVA, is hosting a unique competition that marries creativity with philanthropy. The theme? “This Must Be the Place,” inspired by the Talking Heads song (though organizer Anna Travasos admits she hasn’t heard it).

Participants are encouraged to sketch their favorite places on napkins — whether it’s a spot on campus, somewhere off-grounds, or anywhere that holds special meaning. These miniature masterpieces will then be put up for auction, with proceeds benefiting the Charlottesville-based Building Goodness Foundation.

The event kicks off on Wednesday with a sketching workshop in Campbell Hall’s Naug Lounge. Aspiring artists have until Friday to submit their napkin sketches, with bidding programs scheduled for September 18 and 19.

For these architecture students, sketching is more than just a party trick — it’s a vital tool in their creative process. As third-year student Carly Batson told UVA Today, “I like to do a lot of hand sketching. It’s not anything that’s pretty, but drawing out my ideas is a start and it’s how I get my ideas flowing.”

Cole Rozwadowski, another third-year student and founder of Sketch@UVA, sees sketching as both a practical tool and a passion. He even sells his sketches on Etsy. “Last semester I would be staring at a computer for six hours straight, and I’d say ‘OK, that’s enough.’ I’d set a timer for 30 minutes, go find something to draw and just tune out all the studio work, all the academic work,” Rozwadowski shared.

The organizers hope this event will not only raise funds for a good cause but also help people overcome the idea that drawing and design are solely innate talents. They emphasize that sketching, like any skill, can be learned and improved with practice.

“It’s creating a community event and raising money for the Building Goodness Foundation, which is based in Charlottesville, but builds projects in El Salvador and other places,” Travasos said. “That’s a really cool aspect of it.”

So, whether you’re the next Frank Lloyd Wright or just someone who enjoys doodling during meetings, this napkin sketching event offers a chance to put your ideas on paper — or rather, on a napkin — for a good cause. Who knows? Your coffee shop scribble (or the one you purchase) might just be the next big thing.