On a quiet April evening, a group of about 10 people gather around a long table in the dimly lit Nocturnal Cafe for a sketch session. Calm, lo-fi music plays in the background over the sounds of pencils scribbling on notepads as the artists — who range from amateurs sketching for fun to more experienced individuals — create together. 

Sonya Dugal, organizer of the sketch session, has been putting on events like these since January through her social arts club called So What? Studios. She collaborates with small businesses in Ithaca to host these events, which have been offering their spaces to her for free. 

“There was so much enthusiasm around it,” Dugal said. “Folks here are just really open to this idea of supporting someone like me who has this idea and wants to do something.”

The vision

All the sessions Dugal has been hosting through So What? Studio have been free to those attending, with supplies provided, which she has by virtue of being an art therapist with a private practice. 

Dugal moved to Ithaca for a better quality of life, after living in Pittsburgh for 12 years. Dugal said the purpose of So What? Studio is to foster a sense of community through art.

“So What? Studio is born out of a place of wanting to create opportunities for adults, to be able to come together and create without feeling the pressure to buy anything or making anything that looks a particular way,” Dugal said. 

Dugal said she implemented the idea of So What? Studio by simply cold emailing businesses in the area and has hosted events at Cafe Dewitt and Rosie’s Cafe and Parlor. Programming includes game nights, art jams and a silent book club, with attendance ranging from 10 to 30 people. 

“Some events are starting to get repeat folks who are excited to come to the next event, which is really cool,” Dugal said. “The best part for me is seeing folks come — whether it’s by themselves or bringing other people and sitting with strangers — make art and talk to other people.”

The collaborators

Nocturnal Cafe, located on 103 S. Geneva St., is an alcohol free alternative to nightlife in Ithaca. Paul Galgoczy, owner of Nocturnal Cafe, said he does not mind offering his space to So What? Studio for free because it aligns well with his vision.

“We view events as a collaborative effort,” Galgoczy said. “Our goal is to create a space that allows people to share their creativity, their vision, their artistry, whether it’s music, dance, or art.”

Galgoczy said that collaborations like these are mutually beneficial relationships as they can boost sales for his business as well. From April 10-12, Nocturnal Cafe also offered its space as a venue for the first Ithaca D.I.Y Music Festival. 

“When somebody reaches out to us, we usually agree to do that in a collaborative way,” Galgoczy said. “We make it easy to have a space for people to do that kind of thing. The events bring the people into the space.”

While So What? Studio access is free for now, Dugal said her goal is to eventually have a membership-based space of her own

“I envision this being a creative co-making space, an art cafe-ish,” Dugal said. “You would just be paying for being able to access the space that you can come to at any time and do your own stuff, but that would help support that access in any programming that I do.”