You’re Invited!
The annual Atelier Exhibition marks the end of the school year with a culmination of interests from each of the classrooms. This gallery of work opens to educators, the community, and families the first week of May as a celebration of the capabilities of young children. This year, our annual exhibition highlights The Culture of the Atelier - an emphasis on the mindset of the Atelier that can be brought into any space. The Atelier is anywhere and everywhere. This focus came from the children’s strong interest in the natural world and the outdoor spaces on our campus during Atelier. Their observations and curiosities were then brought back into the classroom and Atelier for further study and discussion.
“The Reggio approach is not about art. It is about nurturing symbolic thought in all its many forms and in an endless variety of developmentally appropriate ways.” -Carol Brunson Day
In the Reggio Emilia Approach, the environment is considered the third teacher, providing an essential framework and actively participating in the child’s construction of knowledge. Our school campus provides a beautiful environment that enriches and expands on the learning that takes place in the classroom. Nature offers a highly sensory and engaging environment with almost endless possibilities for unexpected discoveries.
From early in the school year, the tiniest creatures on our campus captivated the children’s attention - ants! Throughout the year, as the weather changed, they noticed the patterns, trails, and locations of the ants adapted,d leaving the children with many questions and hypotheses about where the ants live and what their homes might look like below the ground. The Jackrabbit Pre-K class took a particularly strong interest in ants. Their theories and representations will be displayed at this year’s Atelier Exhibition.
From the sound and feel of the water to the vibrant colors of flowers in varying stages of bloom, the Memorial Garden became a beloved space. Some children even gave the garden their own special names, such as the Miracle Garden and the Three Bridge Garden. The water streaming through the Memorial Garden captured the children’s attention as they noticed the sounds of the moving water and the bubbles emerging, joyfully delighting in the feel of the cool water on their fingers. We noticed that each time we explored, the children’s curiosity grew. Each visit to the space cultivated a special relationship between the children and the environment. Surrounded by nature, children slowed down, noticed more details, and looked a little closer. The Gecko three-year-old class created a paint palette inspired by the colors of nature. The Roadrunner Pre-K class took photographs of their natural artifact collection, using the graphic language to layer their innovative thinking of creative stories and unique perspectives.
We found traces of the Atelier in nature, the classrooms, and even in the stained glass work of the Chapel this year. Works from across the classrooms and inspired by a variety of spaces on our campus will be featured in this year’s Atelier Exhibition. Whether you’re an educator, a current family, a prospective family, a church, or community member, we invite you to join us for our annual Atelier Exhibition!
