The Atelier
A place where we come together in groups small and large to create, explore, experiment, question, challenge, theorize and play
What is an Atelier?
A Place to Create, Explore, Experiment
Here at Scandi School, in the 210 building, lives and breathes our MAIN ATELIER, a place where we come together in groups small and large to create, explore, experiment, question, challenge, theorize and play. We learn about ourselves, each other and the world around us through working together, using a wide range of materials and techniques. We let the process be our main agenda and our main focuses are building relationships, cultivating creative intelligence and fostering senses of wonder and joy.
Elements of nature, community, empathy, intelligence and aesthetic are all present here. Whether we are working with clay, discovering woodworking tools, taking pleasure in paint, exploring various printing techniques, expanding ways of storytelling or building our drawing skills, we remember to give an equal platform to multiple perspectives to inform our collective thinking, to keep on learning and growing together using the 100 languages.
A Living Organism
Often times when we talk about the Reggio Emilia approach, we talk about the atelier as a living organism. Here at Scandi, we truly witness just that. The contours of the atelier expand way beyond its actual space, they wrap around the whole school and travel outward with our teachers, children and parents, fostering creative connections and possibilities throughout, fueling the vehicle for self-expression, play and change.
The Way We Work
We divide our time in the atelier into three distinct categories. Each category gives us an opportunity for different type of work with materials and each other.
Open Exploration
Time for playful, inquisitive, independent and self guided work for the children. Working in pairs, groups or individually, children have minimal to none assistance from a teacher. This is when they really explore the qualities of materials, all theirs possible and impossible uses and come up with many incredible ideas. This time often becomes the foundation for other work.
Small Group
This time typically consist of groups of 4-6 children, who come to the main atelier to explore a new material or artistic technique together. Sometimes the materials will be based on their curiosities, other times we challenge or push forward an existing investigation together, then there are times when children themselves ask for a particular experience. The atelierista will usually introduce a new material or/and art technique here and gently guide children’s exploration of it, keeping in mind individual interests and capabilities.
Studio Art
Typically a time for older children to dive into more structured art experience. Together we discover different artists and artistic concepts of color, form, composition, observation, abstraction and so on. This is the time we have the most in-depth discussions and end up with the most finished product works.
Children’s Art Gallery
Here are a few of the amazing artworks the children have created in the atelier!
