Steamboat Springs — Leave all inhibitions at the door.

Those who wish to draw or network with like-minded creatives will have an opportunity to join the newest artistic group in town, Sketch Steamboat.

“It’s for people who think maybe they can’t draw, but really want to,” said Jennifer West, artist and organizer for Sketch Steamboat. “I want to have this be accessible to help anyone in any discipline so that can just do it, enjoy it and be in the moment.”

The first meeting for Sketch Steamboat will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in front of the Off the Beaten Path Bookstore. Open to all ages and abilities, the free, informal event is more about enjoying the artistic process rather than the finished product.

In Sketch Steamboat, West said, there will be no justifications or competitiveness with other artists, adding that it’s not a workshop or a class; it’s meant to connect the seemingly hidden subset of Steamboat residents interested in art.

Moving to Steamboat from Denver more than a year ago, West said she sought something similar to the “Urban Sketching” group she was involved with while living in Denver.

Keeping her own visual journals with creative combinations of images and words, West said her reasoning for starting a group like Sketch Steamboat was to make her accountable and require her to sketch on a regular basis.

“It allows artists to socialize, and sometimes, if I agree to meet someone or a group, it forces me to sketch, because I have to be more accountable.”

Discovering a niche group of artists, West hopes the group will evolve to a point at which creatives are establishing groups and meetings outside Sketch Steamboat.

Visual journaling and sketching, West said is a way to see elements of reality more clearly.

“It makes you see things around you more clearly and appreciate even the little things like a landscape or pair of scissors,” West said. “It’s learning to appreciate those little thing in life that maybe you don’t give much importance to.”

No expensive materials are needed for the Sketch Steamboat meeting. All that is required is a sketchbook, something to draw with and uninhibited creativity.

“I want people to be able to come to this and start wherever they are as an artist. You don’t have to be an expert,” West said. “Suspend your judgment, and just try it if you’ve been wanting to do this for awhile. Meet new people, and don’t be afraid to do bad drawings.”

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@ExploreSteamboat.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1