Beverly Buchanan Cardboard Houses

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Beverely Buchanan Cardboard House using assemblage techniques learned in class
• Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and space (positive negative) inspired by African American Artist (1940-2015) Beverly Buchanan
• Use sculpture techniques (assemblage, carving, casting) and design principles (balance, harmony, unity) based on American Art
• Define Architecture (the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Red Ladder (1995) Beverly Buchanan

2. Read "Beverly Buchanan: Shackworks A Sixteen Year Survey" by Eleanor Flomenhaft

3. Discussion Questions "How do artists work? How do artists and designers determine whether a particular direction in their work is effective? How do artists and designers learn from trial and error? What responsibilities come with the freedom to create? How do artists grow and become accomplished in art forms? What role does persistence play in revising, refining, and developing artwork? In what ways do artist take risks with their work? How do artist make and solve problems as they work on a piece of art? How do artists change their minds about their artwork as they continue working on it? How do artists talk and write about their artwork? How do artists talk and write about their experiences in making art?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose Three 12 X 12 Cardboard Sheets

2. Use three compositional elements (shape, color, texture) to represent a memory, place, or event from ones own heritage

3. Use line variation (wavy, straight, curved) as a design principle (balance, movement, repetition) within ones Beverely Buchanan Cardboard House

Day Two, Art Start

Lesson Activities

1. Use compass, protractors and texture plates to add symmetrical shapes and expressive lines to cardboard houses

2. Use form (two dimensional three dimensional) to fill in the positive space (house) of the cardboard houses 

3. Use form (two dimensional three dimensional) to fill in the negative space (base) of the Beverly Buchanan Cardboard Houses

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Beverely Buchanan Cardboard Houses for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (glue sticks, cardboard, push pins)

Lesson Activities

1. Use scissors to cut out two dimensional symmetrical shapes to create a three dimensional cardboard sculpture

2. Glue Down three dimensional symmetrical shapes to create a three dimensional cardboard house

3. Add decorations (old art, newspaper, fabric scraps, colored paper, buttons, collage bits) to positive space (house) of Beverely Buchanan Cardboard Sculptures

Artist Examples

Student Examples