To answer this important question, I would like to first like to reflect on something I unfortunately and surprisingly hear often from parents about themselves. Again and again, a parent will tell me some version of the same story: "When I was young, I loved making art, but I had a teacher who criticised my work, told me I wasn't talented, or made me feel that I wasn't creative." Now decades later, the critical comment they received still seems very fresh and painful. Sometim

At Art Lab Amsterdam, one of the most important things I hope to nurture in children is a sense of wonder. Not only in the big, exciting moments—but in the quiet, everyday details of the world around us. The changing seasons, the color of a flower, the texture of fur, the way light moves across a page. To me, this is one of the most meaningful parts of being human : to be here, on this planet, and to notice. This theme has been gently present throughout the entire winter–spr

How meditation plays a role in our Art Lab classes There is a moment in our lively art class when everything becomes very, very still. Pencils are put down. Shoes off, feet relax. Hands gently cover the eyes. We take 3 deep breaths together to help relax even more. This is preparation for tuning in and feeling. Before we begin drawing, we begin by feeling . Over the years, I developed what I now call the Inside-Out technique — a practice that blends mindfulness and art-makin

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