"Drawing is taking a line for a walk," the artist Paul Klee once quipped.

This Sunday at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, aficionados of gonzo creativity will have the rare opportunity to watch 100 artists take lines for fast-paced sprints at the Monster Drawing Rally, a high-octane benefit for the Outpost for Contemporary Art, a nonprofit group based in Highland Park that runs internatioanl artists' exchange programs and runs local arts and cultural events.

The creativity-on-steroids rally is the perfect fundraising fit for the four-year-old Outpost, whose mission is to help artists "attain intimate contact and genuine connection with their audiences." It's hard to imagine  more "intimate contact" than the rally; as observers stroll amongst tables strewn with charcoal, pencils, gouache, and paper, each artist has an hour to create a piece, which then becomes available for sale.

Artist Sarajo Frieden, who has participated in several Monster rallies, confirms that 60 minutes "isn't a lot of time to create a piece start to finish—everyone has a different process." But because her work involves sewing and image making, Frieden brings already-started pieces to the Rally, and in years past, has collaborated with a friend to finish them. This Sunday, Frieden will be flying solo—so the artistic process "becomes more of a performance piece." She'll still tap into the event's creative camaraderie for inspiration, though, because, as she puts it, "being part of a large group of artists creates a kind of energy around you."

The participating artists really "enjoy the challenge of creating in front of an audience," says Julie Deamer, director and founder of Outpost, noting that at the same time "art becomes more accessible" for potential patrons when they watch it come to life. And at $75 a piece, the price is equally accessible: "People get the bug and surrender!" Those interested in observing (or acquiring the work of) specific artists can check the schedule on the Outpost for Contemporary Art website to see when they'll be drawing. http://www.outpost-art.org/specialevents_soon.php

Don't leave mini-Michelangelos at home. Children 12 years and under are admitted free, as are seniors and Outpost members (adults pay only $10); pint-sized Picassos can retreat to the Kids' Drawing Corner if inspiration strikes. New Belgium Brewing Company is the event's beer sponsor and several food trucks will be on hand to fuel artists and audiences alike.    

Proceeds from the Monster Drawing Rally fund the Outpost's international and community-based residency and exchange programs for artists and curators, such as the Brazilian art collective Grupo Bijari, currently in-residence and being housed at Occidental College through November 21.

Grupo Bijari is the first in the Outpost's newest cycle of residencies. Six South American artists and artists' teams will journey to Los Angeles over the next two years to produce neighborhood-based public art projects. Outpost is in partnership for the first time with Occidental College, which will house Outpost's visiting artists and faculty. Additionally, Oxy students will "assist in activating, situating, and executing the artists' dynamic projects" according to Outpost.

Outpost of Contemporary Art offers the Monster Drawing Rally with help from Southern Exposure, an arts organization that is more than 25 years old and is based in San Francisco. Southern Exposure created the event and shares the concept with other arts organizations.

The Outpost of Contemporary Art's Monster Drawing Rally takes place Sunday, November 14, 12– 6:30 p.m. at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, at 2225 Colorado Blvd. $10 donation. Kids 12 years and under, seniors, and Outpost members get in free. Questions? Email Julie Deamer: julie@outpost-art.org or call 323-982-9461.