Twenty years after a stolen soup kitchen van sparked one of Johannesburg’s most enduring creative movements, 1000 Drawings returns for its milestone 20th anniversary – bigger, bolder and with a new character at the heart of the campaign: iji.
What began with a simple idea – using creativity to do good – has grown into one of the world’s largest inner-city art exhibitions for charity, bringing together artists, schools, businesses and ordinary people around a shared belief that even the smallest act of creativity can make a difference.
This year, 1000 Drawings is calling on South Africa to help create more than 10,000 original A5 artworks.
Twenty Years of Creativity Doing Good
There is a particular kind of magic in the origin story of 1000 Drawings.
In 2006, a Johannesburg soup kitchen had its delivery vehicle stolen. In response, a group of creatives did what artists do – they made something.
They gathered 1,000 original artworks, sold them and raised enough money to replace the van.
It was simple, generous and quietly extraordinary.
Two decades later, that same instinct – that creativity can be a form of generosity – remains at the heart of 1000 Drawings.
The concept has travelled from Johannesburg and Cape Town to cities around the world, including Los Angeles, Esbjerg, Copenhagen, Daejeon, Rome, Tuscany, Amsterdam, Berlin, Freiburg, Munich, StuUioart, Uio, Fulda, Sacramento, Dubai and more. But Johannesburg remains its home, and in 2026 the city will once again come together for what promises to be one of the initiative’s most ambitious editions yet.
“This initiative has never just been about art,” says founder Kelly McGillivray. “It’s about people coming together to create something meaningful – creativity to do good. The cause has always been bigger than any one moment. It’s about community, generosity and hope.”
Meet iji
To mark its 20th anniversary, 1000 Drawings has a refreshed identity, a new website, new energy and a brand-new symbol of creativity, community and collective impact.
Meet iji.
More than simply a mascot, iji represents the spirit of 1000 Drawings and will grow and evolve alongside the campaign, symbolically powered by every doodle donated, every creative session hosted and every person who gets involved.
Visually inspired by the “000” in 1000, iji’s three eyes tell the story of the movement.
The first eye looks to the past, honouring every drawing contributed and every person who has helped build 1000 Drawings over the past two decades.
The second represents the present, watching over the creativity currently unfolding across Johannesburg.
And the third looks towards the future, representing the children, charities and communities that will benefit from the movement for years to come.
At its core, iji is also a symbol of unity: the two “i”s support the “j”, just as members of a community support one another.
And while iji may look like a giant, there is nothing destructive about this creature.
“iji is a giant of creation,” says McGillivray.
Throughout the campaign, iji will begin appearing across Johannesburg – on posters, in installations and throughout the digital campaign – leaving behind vibrant trails of colour representing the creativity and impact generated by the community.
Interactive elements, including QR codes linked to participation and donation platforms, will also make it easier for the public to become part of the movement.
As iji grows, so does the message: the more you give, the more creativity and impact you create.
More Than 10,000 Original Artworks
At the centre of the anniversary campaign is an ambitious goal: to collect more than 10,000 original A5 artworks.
And you don’t need to be an artist to take part.
1000 Drawings is calling on schools, businesses, tattoo parlours, design colleges, restaurants, community groups and individuals across Johannesburg to host doodle sessions – informal creative gatherings where people can make artwork to donate.
Doodle boxes will also be placed in coffee shops, studios and public spaces across the city, making it as easy as possible for anyone to participate.
There is only one requirement: the artwork must be A5 in size.
“No artistic experience is needed. Whether it’s a quick sketch, a doodle, a painting or a detailed illustration, every contribution counts.”
Because at 1000 Drawings, it isn’t about whether you consider yourself an artist.
It’s about picking up a pen, pencil, paintbrush or crayon and creating something that can ultimately help someone else.
Nominate a Charity To Benefit
In keeping with the community-driven spirit of the initiative, 1000 Drawings is also inviting the public to nominate a charity to benefit from the proceeds raised.
The invitation reflects the philosophy that has driven the project for 20 years: the creative community has the power to direct its generosity, and the public should have a voice in where that generosity goes.
More Ways To Join the Movement
For those who cannot donate an artwork, there are still plenty of ways to become part of the movement.
The campaign is seeking sponsors, volunteers, interns and material donations, from art supplies to installation materials, as the team prepares to transform thousands of individual creative contributions into one extraordinary collective experience.
What began as a response to misfortune has become a creative institution.
Twenty years later, the invitation remains beautifully simple.
Johannesburg, pick up a pen. Pick up a paintbrush. Pick up a crayon. Make something. Give something. Be part of something bigger.
And keep an eye out for iji.
Because the more Johannesburg creates, the bigger iji – and the impact – becomes.
DOODLE. DONATE. DO GOOD.
Get Involved
- Donate an original A5 artwork
- Host a doodle session at your school, office, business or venue
- Nominate a charity to benefit from the 2026 campaign
- Become a sponsor or partner
- Volunteer or offer materials and in-kind support
- Follow and share the 1000 Drawings campaign online
1000 Drawings – 20 Years of Creativity Doing Good.
Visit 1000drawings.org.za for more information.
Follow 1000 Drawings on Social Media
Facebook: @1000drawings
Instagram: 1000drawingsjozi
If you would like to get involved as a sponsor, by hosting a doodle session or donating, please contact info@1000drawings.com.