STEAM learning activity for young people.

1. VISION MAP PROJECT
Presenter and Workshop Instructor:
Nettrice R. Gaskins, Ph.D. Candidate
Digital Media Program
Georgia Tech

2. WHAT IS A VISION MAP?
A vision map is a collage of images, pictures and
affirmations of your dreams and all of the things that
make you happy. It can also be called a dream board,
treasure map or vision board.

3. Vision Maps Can Be Quilts
Harriet Powers was
an African-American
artist and quilt
maker from Georgia.
Harriet Powers. “Pictorial Quilt,” 1898.

4. Vision Maps (Quilts) Can Tell Stories
“The dark day of May 19, 1780.
The seven stars were seen 12 N.
in the day. The cattle wall went to
bed, chickens to roost and the
trumpet was blown. The sun went
off to a small spot and then to
darkness.” – Harriet Powers
Harriet Powers. “Pictorial Quilt (detail),” 1898.

5. Quilts Can Have Themes
• American Indian star
quilts represent
community and
friendship.
Artist unknown. “Star of Bethlehem quilt,” circa 1940. Photo by Nettrice Gaskins.

6. Artists Can Collage Images On Quilts
Sanford Biggers. “Nimbus,” 2013. Courtesy of the artist.
• What images or
shapes can you
see on this quilt?

8. Artists Use Math to Make Quilts
Quilts are made up of shapes.
(Go back to the previous slide and name the shapes you see.)
Artists use math (rotation) to move shapes in quilt designs.
• Can you identify
the degree of
rotation for each
shape?

9. Start Your Vision Map
Decide the main theme of your map. It may be based on
something specific you wish to accomplish or obtain, or it
may be a general idea of everything that makes you happy.
For example: Music makes me happy.
Use old magazines to find pictures that correspond with
your theme.
Save these pictures to use later.
Create a quilt as a background out of paper.
1.
2.
3.

10. How to Make a Quilt Design
1. Cut out some shapes.
2. Use rotation (reflection, translation) to create a design.
3. Create a grid with squares. Each square has a design.

11. Make a Paper Quilt
Cut out each square. Arrange the squares into your
own creative pattern. Glue them down and add color.
• If you have time
you can create
your own shapes
and designs.

12. Finish Your Vision Map
• Cut shapes from
magazine
pictures.
• Glue them to
your paper quilt.
• Write about why
you chose your
design, pictures.

13. WHAT IS REMIXING?
Remixing is making a new or different version of
something and changing or adding to it like in Sanford
Biggers’ quilts, collage, or even with music.

14. Homer’s Epic Story Remixed
• The Odyssey is
an ancient Greek
epic poem by
Homer.
• Romare Bearden
reimagined this
story as collages
with themes from
Black History.
Romare Bearden. “Battle with Cicones,” 1977.

15. Black Odyssey Remixes
• Black Odyssey
Remixes lets you
transform people,
animals, places,
and things from
Bearden’s art into
your own digital
collage.

17. Questions
• What kinds of personal stories can you tell with quilts and
collages?
• How do artists use science or math to create quilts?
• How are quilts and collage related to music (hint:
remixing)?
• What other kinds of projects can be made using remixing?