The Secret City was a PBS show that taught kids to draw things in 3-D. Commander Mark was the mustachioed host, and he was an absolute wizard, or maybe an alien, who could sling a black marker across a blank page and bring aliens to life right before your eyes. In each episode, he would add to a massive mural on the wall that depicted the Secret City, an alien environment based on nothing but his creativity. I wanted to live in the Secret City.
Many people have fond memories of Sesame Street, or Mr. Roger’s hood, but all my grilled cheese and tomato soup memories recall the hours spent within the Secret City. I honestly credit this show (and Ed Emberley) with making me pursue a career in art later in life. Anyone else out there remember Commander Mark and his Secret City?
If aliens were to invade this planet, I would want them to be the friendly inhabitants from the Secret City. Read about more alien invasions in this Pop Culture League challenge.
Oh man, I loved his show! I used to doodle 3D archways and such for hours after watching!
Yes! Bridges and archways in the sky!
You just took me back,I remember this guy!He was around during my drinking days.I’d wake up the next morning,flipping through channels hungover,and always stopped on this guy’s show to see what the hell he was up to next,lol.It baffled me me how well he’d draw things while simultaneously looking at the camera.
Ha! I thought I was the old man around here. 😉
Never heard of this, but wish I had. Very cool.
Draw! Draw! Draw! Practice every day….Blast across that paper.. I had daycare in my home and even my 5 year olds could produce good work as they watched Draw Squad. They all had their pad of paper, crayons, and sat on the floor mesmerized. It was amazing how fast they learned and put their new knowledge to work in their own drawings weeks later.