This week’s art activity brings us back to the year 2017 of 10/10—Reflections on a Decade of Exhibitions. We’re taking a closer look at artist Ronald Wayne Ramsey, a native Charlestonian whose work focuses on documenting historical buildings, particularly those that are about to be demolished. Ramsey has been meticulously drawing old buildings for decades. In doing so, he tells a story of a Charleston from the past, striving to preserve a place that is no longer what it once was. Ahead of the Wrecking Ball was his first public show. For this exhibition, Ramsey created work called “Imagination drawings,” or buildings that don’t actually exist, which showcase his utmost creativity as well as keen attention to architecture and the changing landscape around us.
This week we invite you to try creating your own imaginative buildings, but instead of replicating Ramsey’s imagination drawings, this activity allows you to create a 3D city from boxes. This activity is suitable for all ages, but younger children may need supervision while painting. When painting with children, it’s always a good idea to either spread newspaper on the surface first or paint outdoors.
Materials:
Optional: Printout sheet of doors and windows if you don’t want to draw or paint them onto the boxes
Depending on your paint, each box may need at least two coats for the color to really show through. If you happen to have a primer such as gesso, it will help the paint to better adhere to the cardboard, although this step is not required. After the boxes are dry, either cut and glue various doors and windows to each box or try drawing or painting your own. Now you have an imaginative city!
If you did this project or something similar, please share with us! Let us know by email at halsey@cofc.edu. Happy creating!
By Sarah Berry, Halsey Institute education coordinator