The first class of a new Art Lab season is always a favourite of mine. It’s the moment when each child receives a new sketchbook and we begin again together. Fresh pages for the weeks ahead and a shared understanding that this is their safe a place to try things out. Before we start working, we introduce ourselves. We talk about names, where we come from, and the languages we speak. I share that I speak two languages and that I grew up partly in New York City, where I worked

A Tip for Parents at the End of Our Art Lab Season As we arrive at the end of another beautiful 14-week season at Art Lab Amsterdam, something special is about to happen: your children will take their sketchbooks home. These sketchbooks are not portfolios of “finished” art. They are living journals — full of experiments, risks, questions, silly moments, brave marks, quiet reflections, bright colors, smudges, unexpected turns, and discoveries. They hold a season of creative gr

At Art Lab Amsterdam, children learn that creativity is not only about techniques and materials—it's also a way to understand themselves. This week, our older students explored one of the most powerful and misunderstood emotions: anger . Many children have recently shared (or shown) that they are struggling a bit at their elementary schools. Big feelings can be hard to manage at that age, and art can be a deeply helpful place to process them. So I designed a special class us

One of my favourite things about teaching is watching children light up when a simple idea opens a whole new doorway into creativity. This past week, we explored the world of silhouettes — a project that was inspired by shapes, horses, and the magical world of South African artist William Kentridge . Younger Children: Horses & the Magic of Triangles We began with a simple idea: learning to draw a horse using triangles for the neck, head, and ears. The moment the images of h

Last week, our studio transformed into a place of wandering paths, imaginative landscapes, and joyful discovery as the children created “Dream Maps” —fantasy neighbourhoods filled with loved ones, animals, ancestors, and the places that matter to them. The project was inspired by the Aboriginal artist Rover Thomas , whose earthy, map-like paintings blur the lines between land, memory, and dream. His work gently guided us to think of maps not only as directions, but as storie

Embracing Color and Imagination This Fall season at Art Lab Amsterdam is bursting with color, creativity, and connection! Our first three art classes have taken children on an exciting journey filled with action, imagination, and discovery. I am so inspired watching their confidence grow week by week! We kicked off our adventure with Action Painting , inspired by the American painter Jackson Pollock. Children splattered and spun paint with joy, creating surprising and express