Every person has got a unique potential that will flourish if given the chance.
This potential can reveal itself through the creative process with materials. Nona Orbach has observed this phenomenon and named Spiritual Blueprint the unique imprint of a person that emerges while creating or playing with materials. Like Nona wrote in her book “The Good Enough Studio”, it is the essence of any creator’s actions, visualizations, thoughts and feelings that are conveyed physically in the making of art.
The atelier is the “perfect” environment to let this process of self-expression flow, like an oasis without judgements or expectations coming from “outside”.
A so simple and essential statement can revolutionize our educational approach, including the way of observing and interacting: is the curriculum and the various learnings the real final goals or rather, they should be tools for supporting the unique expression and research of each child?
Are the interests of the child a tool for the learning process or rather, is the learning process a tool for supporting the interests of the child?
I suggest to adopt the second perspective, and the open studio is probably the most suitable setting for it: a space providing a multiplicity of materials that can be freely used. Thus, the free choice of what and how to use is a crucial aspect, but not a guarantee: how is the relational space? Is it really communicating acceptance of all forms of expressions and diversity? It can be just by a glance, a word or a silence… As educators or studio managers, we should be aware of what both the physical and the relational space are communicating and offering.
So, if the open studio is actually the best solution, what about offering a selection of a few materials or a thematic workshop?
No solution is good or bad itself out of a specific context (for example, considering the characteristics of participants, number, age, etc.). Limited conditions can stimulate creativity as well, sometimes. So it is mainly about how (rather than what) and also for what goal.
It is a deep knowledge of materials that enables the atelierista or teacher to support and value the creative processes unfolding, ensuring that—even within a specific proposal—there is room for choice, allowing for different pathways that respond to diverse needs and interests.
Cover picture by Nona Orbach