Elisha and Kristin of Find & Seek will join many artist groups who are inviting young friends to participate in making collaborative constructions on Saturday April 18 from 10am until 4pm, in the street next to the Wonder of Learning exhibition at Williamsburg Northside School in northern Brooklyn. We will be creating a sculpture out of PLASTIC BOTTLE CAPS of all colors! Feel free to bring some caps to add to the mix. If you'd like to stay all day, there will be a grilled cheese and an ice cream food truck nearby! Thanks to Amy Miller who not only is the excellent maestra of the Beginnings Nursery Studio, and a new mom (cheers!), but has organized the two-day event called "THE HUNDRED LANGUAGES: A METAPHOR FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY POTENTIALS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS" which includes Materials Day on Saturday and a Materials Conference the day before, which will feature one of our favorite educators, Susan Harris Mackay of the Portland Children's Museum Center for Learning (see Opal School's excellent blog) in Portland OR! We are excited to present a talk entitled: World Building, Storytelling And Meaning-Making: Creating Found Object Installations To Play With And Within.

If you trek inside to experience the show: The exhibition from Italy inhabits floors 7 & 8, and includes many fascinating videos of children at work and play (no photos allowed of the Italian panels, videos or art, hence the need to see for oneself). The videos, text including many comments from the students, and other original artifacts offer food for thought on the great potential for schools to foster meaningful investigations derived from children's genuine interests. If you cannot see the show, you can purchase this comprehensive exhibition catalog.

Photos ARE allowed in the Light Atelier (floor 6), pictured here, and the Natural Materials Atelier (floor 7). Open to the public Sat/Sun until May 15, 12-6pm. 299 North 7th Street, Brooklyn.

The beautiful interactive ateliers (on floors 6 & 7) can keep children busy for hours. Thanks to Robin Koo of Beginnings Nursery/Teaching Beyond the Square, who has designed and maintained these rooms, and to a host of volunteer teachers and artists from around NYC who have contributed hours of set up and maintenance, as they are explored daily by children and adults. I can't help but wonder if Williamsburg Northside will maintain or recreate these rooms, until they grow to need new classrooms for their growing school. Who would not want these meditative, beautiful spaces in their school?