Overview
In this lesson, you will make a collage inspired by a place that is important to you, using paper and other materials to represent its shapes, textures, and details. You will look closely at the artwork of Leroy Johnson for inspiration.
Materials and Tools
- Pencil
- One sheet of white paper
- Collected paper from magazines, flyers, or printed materials and/or construction, patterned, or painted paper
- One large piece of construction paper—9 x 12”
- Scissors
- Glue
- Optional: collected fabric, feathers, or other materials
Activities
Close Looking: Leroy Johnson
Guiding Questions:
How can an artwork show what a place looks like and what is special about it?
Let’s look at an assemblage sculpture by Leroy Johnson for inspiration. Look closely at the different sides and details.
19.1 x 22.9 x 26.7 cm
Questions for Discussion or Reflection:
- What do you notice about this sculpture?
- Do any details remind you of buildings in your own community?
- Do you notice any details that are surprising?
- What kind of feeling do these details give you?
- Leroy Johnson titled this piece Crosswalk. Why do you think he named it that?
- How do you think Leroy Johnson made this artwork? What do you see that makes you say that?
Leroy Johnson was an artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who made art about the local neighborhoods where he spent his life. His occupations included social worker, counselor, teacher of youth with disabilities, and school administrator, as well as being an artist.
Planning Your Collage
Leroy Johnson’s art uses different materials to capture what places look and feel like. How can you use different papers to describe a place that matters to you?
Think of a building that is important to you.
- What kind of building is it? (home, restaurant, church, store, library)
- Why is this place important to you?
Make a quick sketch of the building you’re thinking of to plan the shapes that you’ll need for your collage.
- What does this place look like? Think about the basic shapes that make up this building—Is it tall or short? Rectangular or square? What shape is the roof?
- What details do you remember? Where are the doors and windows?
Selecting Paper & Cutting Large Shapes
Next, let’s choose the papers and cut the large shapes for your building.
If you’re new to collage, explore our introductory resources.
- Look through the different papers that you’ve collected. Which papers will work best for each part of the building? Choose colors, textures, or patterns that reflect both what the building looks like and its personal meaning to you.
- Use your scissors to cut the large shapes. If cutting is difficult, you can also tear paper to make shapes.
- Arrange the large shapes for your building on your background construction paper.
- Glue your large shapes down, making sure to spread glue all the way to the edges.
Adding Details
Now, let’s layer details on top of your larger shapes.
- What papers will you use for the door, windows, and other details?
- What details or symbols will you add to represent why this place is important to you?
- Arrange, then glue your details down.
Reflection
Look at your collage.
- What kind of place is this? How did you show what kind of place this is?
- How does your artwork show what this place means to you?
Resources
For more inspiration, explore Leroy Johnson’s artwork in Leroy Johnson at Margot Samel’s Gallery website or in New York City from January 10 – February 8, 2025.
Credits
Written By:
Andrea Burgay, Director of Digital Learning
Copyright © 2025 Studio in a School NYC LLC