When we look back at speeches that have inspired generations, we often think of the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Made by Black civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr., this man called on everyone to imagine a world – a better one.
As adults, we have our ideas about what would make the world a better place, but so often we forget to ask kids. This Martin Luther King Jr. art project asks children what their dream is for a better world. Their answers are often surprising, and are always heartwarming, giving us insight into our world’s future.
When I asked my Sparklettes what they saw, the first thing they thought about were the animals – and how it would be nice if the animals could all be friends.
I also wanted to bring an art project that could be done by anyone, regardless of art supplies. I know so many art teachers are teaching on a cart or virtual, and homeschoolers are often on the go, and wanting to do art easily – from anywhere.
Start off with a short story…
One day you are walking, and you come across a door in an old garden wall. The door looks mysterious and beautiful. There’s a doormat that says DREAM, and you know on the other side is a better world. When you open it, what’s there? What do you see?
And what do you think you can do today to start making that world a reality?
Here’s what you’ll need
Only a few supplies and you’re on your way!
- 9×12 white paper (or go larger if you’d like to paint!)
- Black Sharpie or black marker
- Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
This lesson can easily be done in one class period.
Drawing the doorway
First, place the paper in portrait orientation.
Near the middle bottom, draw a horizontal line. The longer the line, the wider the door.
Draw two vertical lines upward that end at the same spot. Connect the two with a rainbow line.
Draw a parallel arched line starting on the left side, about a finger-width wide. Stop the line when you reach the end of the rainbow line on the other side.
Draw a curved line up and to the right and end at the paper edge. At the bottom right of the door, draw a diagonal slightly down and to the right to the edge of the paper.
Draw the keystone at the top of the door – a rectangle with rounded edges. Starting on the right of it, draw lines that go out from the last stone drawn, and curve downward until reaching the door. Repeat on the left side all the way down to the ground. Remind students that this is an old door and so the stones should be uneven and imperfect!
Adding the steps and door
Starting at the bottom corners of the original doorway (not the stones), draw two finger-length diagonal lines – one to the bottom left and one to the bottom right. Connect the ends with a straight line. If desired, make the line broken in places to make the drawing look older.
From the left and right corners, draw two short, vertical lines down. Connect the two ends with a straight line.
Repeat this for additional steps until reaching the bottom of the page.
Decorate the inside of the door. One way to make the door look a bit older is to add a couple of broken, parallel lines near the top going up and to the right, and at the bottom going down and to the right. Then add broken vertical lines. Students can design their own unique door!
At this point, they may wish to add ivy or other plant life around the doorway. Remind students that they want the inside of their doorway to look more special, so remind them to not add too many details around it.
Add a horizon line by drawing a horizontal line starting just above the porch. Create the wall for the door using bricks or uneven lines for large stones.
If desired, darken some of the lines for more emphasis.
I have a dream…
Design what’s through the doorway. This will vary for students, but tell them that they can include pictures, words, designs – what they dream of seeing when they are older, or things from their own fantastical dreams that could one day be reality. Tell them to dream big.
Add a doormat to the front porch that says DREAM.
When finished drawing, color what’s through the doorway using colored pencils, crayons, or markers. Color the dream mat as well.
What was through your door? Children holding hands? Animals making friends? Love and gardens? Or maybe two pliosauri who have been hiding, finally having hope?
Other ideas for this project
These doors can be used in many other ways including:
- designing doorways for lovers of the movie Encanto
- creating a scene from the book or movie Secret Garden
- designing a dreamscape inspired by Marc Chagall
What other ideas do you have?
You might also enjoy our Honey Bee Art Project which is perfect for Black History Month. Inspired by Charles Henry Turner, the first Black entomologist who learned that bees see in color, this bee will have students all a-buzz linking science, history, and art!
We would love it if you’d share!
Don’t forget to tag us at @soulsparklettes on social media if you make this dream door art project with your kids or students – we love to see what you create!
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This project looks fabulous! I would really like to give this as a project to my grade 5 class to teach space! Can you explain to me how this uses the element of space?
I’m so sorry for the delay, Leah! There’s a couple of ways that this uses space. First, the filling up of the space by using the entire page/canvas. Second, the door goes towards the opening which gives depth and a more 3D appearance!