Let’s Create Together
Artist Risë Wilson~The Laundromat Project
Mrs. McCullers Art Adventures Summer Online Art Camp Facebook Group
The Written Lesson: Let’s Create Together~Artist Risë Wilson~The Laundromat Project
In many neighborhoods the laundromat is a place where people meet and hang out while they wash, dry and fold clothes. It is a place where Risë Wilson visited weekly in her Harlem New York neighborhood. In 1999, Rise got the idea to share her love for art while she was at the laundromat. She would set up folding tables in front of the business and encourage people at the laundromat or passing by to create art with her. She quickly realized the impact it was making. Not only were people enjoying creating art, but they were building relationships with each other. In 2005 she started The Laundromat Project, an organization which serves communities throughout New York City and provides free art education and art opportunities.
There are a few things to think about before you begin.
The Laundromat Project isn't about creating a perfect piece of art. It is about building relationships and encouraging one another while creating art. God’s Word tells us in 1 Thessalonians to encourage and build each another up. Encouragement can help us do the things that we might not ordinarily do. Think about who you can invite to create art with and encourage.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up...
- This project is about building relations while creating art with your friends and neighbors.
- Don’t worry if your drawing doesn’t look exactly like the object or the person you are drawing.
The Laundromat Project isn't about creating a perfect piece of art. It is about building relationships and encouraging one another while creating art. God’s Word tells us in 1 Thessalonians to encourage and build each another up. Encouragement can help us do the things that we might not ordinarily do. Think about who you can invite to create art with and encourage.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up...
Supplies
- Index cards, or cut paper into small rectangles
- Drawing prompts
- Colored markers, crayons, colored pencils
Instructions
You are going to create art with friends.
*For more information on Artist Risë Wilson and The Laundromat Project you can check out these links:
https://laundromatproject.org
https://youtu.be/g2vsUn5L9EY
https://www.instagram.com/laundromat_proj/
NYFA.or
- Choose a day and place in your community. It can be your yard, your community park or playground. Invite your friends to create art with you.
- Before you go write each prompt word on a piece of paper or index cards. You may want to get a family member or a friend to help you. Here are some prompt words you can use: curvy, bumpy, yummy, water, rainbow, love, bubble, sweet, sun & moon & stars, sports, summer, flowers, butterflies, dog, cat. You can also choose some words of your own. Put them in a container to take with you.
- At the location set up the container of words, drawing paper, markers, crayons, and colored pencils on a picnic table or folding table.
- Each person selects a prompt word and draws something that the word makes them think about. Be creative.
- Take time to look at each other’s art. What do you like about each piece? What about the artwork keeps you looking at it? How does the piece make you feel?
- After you and your friends have completed your art, you may want to display it. You might hang them on your fence. You can wrap a string around a tree in your yard and hang your pictures on it. Or everyone can display them in a window of their house.
- Post a picture of your artwork to our Facebook page.
*For more information on Artist Risë Wilson and The Laundromat Project you can check out these links:
https://laundromatproject.org
https://youtu.be/g2vsUn5L9EY
https://www.instagram.com/laundromat_proj/
NYFA.or
Here is my finished project:
Enjoy being imperfect. That’s the best part about people, we can be."
- Ian Sklarsky
