Who is the Atelierista? The Heart of Creativity in Reggio Emilia

In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, we’re  joined by Caterina Pennestri, an atelierista at St Peter’s Girls Early Learning Centre. Caterina brings a wealth of experience from Italy, having studied Contemporary Arts and Art Education before completing her postgraduate training in Reggio Emilia. Her unique perspective as an atelierista highlights the transformative role of the arts in early childhood education and the importance of aesthetics in creating spaces where children can truly express themselves.

Caterina unpacks what it means to be an atelierista — an educator with an artistic background who curates materials, spaces, and opportunities for children to explore their “hundred languages”. We explore how children use drawing, narrative, and materials as ways of expressing theories, ideas, and wonderings, and how the atelier can extend far beyond one room into every space where children are learning.

A highlight of our conversation is Caterina’s work as a facilitator for the Mosaics of Marks, Words and Material exhibition, which brings the values of the Reggio Emilia approach into Australian contexts. She explains the importance of curating not just the artwork, but the entire environment so that the exhibition honours the voices of children and inspires educators and families alike.

Find out more: 

https://reggioaustralia.org.au/mosaic-of-marks-exhibition/

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