Core Sample was a socially engaged art work designed by Significant Developments, LLC as part of a research and development art work commissioned by the Mississippi Museum of Art for their series C3: Conversation. Creativity. Community. 

 

The Mississippi Museum of Art hired johnson's strategic advancement agency Significant Developments, LLC to enact this art work Dec. 9, 2013 - March 20, 2014. After conducting staff interviews, asset mapping, and a site tour, Significant Developments executed Core Sample as a way to activate a number of interests staff had voiced such as revitalizing a dormant clay studio, experimenting with state-wide participation, creating more short film style documentation for the museum website, and establishing a come-and-go 'open studio' within the museum.

 

This work included an on-site interactive bell assembly workshop leading up to an installation where 2222 hand-made clay bells were hung; inscribed with symbols submitted by over 1000 community members from 62 different Mississippi cities. Symbols were solicited in the museum and state-wide through media advertisement, a digital learning prompt issued through public, private and home schools, as well as road trips throughout the state to look people in the eye and let them know the museum wanted their voice in the project.