JCA Dream Rocket

I first became involved with the Dream Rocket Project two years ago when my primary students created panels for a show at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. My students have participated in a couple more DRP exhibits since then, (like the Cosmosphere exhibit) even creating two today! The goal of the Dream Rocket Project is to wrap the Saturn V Moon Rocket at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center with artwork from all over the world.

My local arts organization, Jackson County Arts, created a Dream Rocket panel earlier this year. I painted the center panel and several members each created a border piece. My mom even filled in one of the gaps with a quick pieced quilt block. She also sewed our panel together for me (Thanks, Mom!) because she knew a much more efficient way to put it together than what I was going to do.

Here's a photo of most of our members who contributed their artwork to the group panel.

Oh! If you are interested in supporting the Dream Rocket Project and helping raise the funds for this MASSIVE, global, collaborative art project, check out the Kickstarter campaign. You can make a donation of any amount, even a couple dollars.

The Dream Rocket- Can You Help?

I wrote about the Dream Rocket Project last year after my 2nd and 3rd grade students participated (see that post here). The goal of the Dream Rocket Project is to wrap the Saturn V Moon Rocket at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama with dream-themed artwork.

"The Dream Rocket project is a large scale art project based on creativity and teamwork made of thousands of artworks created by schools, groups, and individuals from around the U.S., and around the world."

My students completed 35 2x2 foot panels (see here) that will eventually be a part of the rocket wrapping and in the mean time have been displayed everywhere from the local library and Kansas State Fair to the NAEA Convention and the museum on Alcatraz. My 6th grade students will also be participating this fall by making Space themed artwork. There has been a tremendous effort by Jennifer Marsh, the artist in charge, and her Dream Rocket team to promote creativity and community art. Schools are able to participate in the project free of charge! If you are interested in participating, please contact Jennifer Marsh!

You can imagine that there would be a lot of planning involved in a project of this scale, which is why a Kickstarter campaign has been launched. They are trying to raise money for the engineering plans. There are about 49 hours left in the campaign and we're around 80% funded. If you can contribute even just a dollar, please help by going to the Kickstarter page-http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thedreamrocket/the-dream-rocket-project-  and pledging. It is an "all or nothing" fundraising attempt so if the full amount is not pledged, you will not be charged any money.

"Since 2009, we have received art submissions involving more than 15,000 students and individuals from 363 communities. So far, this wrap has grown to 12,000 square feet in size. By 2015, an estimated 36,000 people will have contributed to a monumental 32,000 square foot wrap."

I so hope that this project is funded! It's all about dreaming for a bright future and using art to communicate those dreams and connect with others from all over the country and the world. What a great goal!