Ghana Artist Adds Old Airplanes to Community Learning Space
2022-07-25
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1An artist in Ghana has added six old airplanes to a community learning space in the village where he was born.
2The artist, Ibrahim Mahama, bought the planes last year to add to an educational center he created called Red Clay Studio.
3Mahama is an internationally recognized artist who grew up in Ghana's capital, Accra.
4But he returned to the northern village of Jenakpeng to build an art studio and community learning space.
5The educational center is made up of several large buildings.
6It is designed to teach students about subjects like the physics of flying, computer science, history, engineering and more. The lessons are free.
7Red Clay was built entirely with recycled and locally sourced materials.
8This is very much like Mahama's art.
9He made a name for himself by repurposing unwanted or waste materials into works of modern art.
10The old planes were the latest addition to the center's educational offerings.
11They are meant to give students an up-close look at planes.
12Mahama told Reuters news agency the community learning space is "not so much about inspiring artists but producing thinkers."
13"If children grow up and they can think differently from what their predecessors were thinking, it is a step towards a certain kind of imminent change within our society," Mahama said.
14Sixteen-year-old Abdul Latif Zakaria has been visiting Red Clay for years.
15On a recent visit, he experimented with drones that captured images of the surroundings, including the six airplanes.
16Red Clay also serves as Mahama's base for his art business.
17His pieces can sell for thousands or even millions of dollars.
18Zakaria's father, Dennard, is employed to take care of Red Clay.
19He says the center provides children with the chance to explore subjects that would otherwise be closed off to them.
20He added that the experiences can build confidence and help children learn more about themselves and where they want to go in life.
21Mahama said he believes the educational space can "transform ideas and lives" for those who visit.
22He added, "In the future, it means that it's going to make the entire country, or even the entire world, even a much better place."
23I'm Bryan Lynn.
1An artist in Ghana has added six old airplanes to a community learning space in the village where he was born. 2The artist, Ibrahim Mahama, bought the planes last year to add to an educational center he created called Red Clay Studio. 3Mahama is an internationally recognized artist who grew up in Ghana's capital, Accra. But he returned to the northern village of Jenakpeng to build an art studio and community learning space. 4The educational center is made up of several large buildings. It is designed to teach students about subjects like the physics of flying, computer science, history, engineering and more. The lessons are free. 5Red Clay was built entirely with recycled and locally sourced materials. This is very much like Mahama's art. He made a name for himself by repurposing unwanted or waste materials into works of modern art. 6The old planes were the latest addition to the center's educational offerings. They are meant to give students an up-close look at planes. 7Mahama told Reuters news agency the community learning space is "not so much about inspiring artists but producing thinkers." 8"If children grow up and they can think differently from what their predecessors were thinking, it is a step towards a certain kind of imminent change within our society," Mahama said. 9Sixteen-year-old Abdul Latif Zakaria has been visiting Red Clay for years. On a recent visit, he experimented with drones that captured images of the surroundings, including the six airplanes. 10Red Clay also serves as Mahama's base for his art business. His pieces can sell for thousands or even millions of dollars. 11Zakaria's father, Dennard, is employed to take care of Red Clay. He says the center provides children with the chance to explore subjects that would otherwise be closed off to them. He added that the experiences can build confidence and help children learn more about themselves and where they want to go in life. 12Mahama said he believes the educational space can "transform ideas and lives" for those who visit. He added, "In the future, it means that it's going to make the entire country, or even the entire world, even a much better place." 13I'm Bryan Lynn. 14Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 15_________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17entire - adj. whole or complete 18studio - n. a space where an artist or photographer works 19inspire - v. to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it 20predecessor - n. the person who was in a job or position before 21imminent - adj. happening very soon 22drone - n. a self-piloted vehicle that flies in the air 23confidence - n. a feeling of being sure in one's own abilities 24transform - v. to change something completely, usually to improve it 25____________________________________________________________ 26What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 27Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.