The Outdoor Studio (2026-Present)
The Outdoor Studio Project at PS 376 is a place-based art and environmental learning initiative designed to add to the work being done to transform the community garden into a creative, accessible, and community-centered learning space. The goal of the project is to support outdoor learning opportunities for students, families, and teachers while fostering connections between art, nature, and community engagement.
The project has unfolded in four stages:
First, teachers were surveyed to better understand how they currently use the garden and what resources would help them incorporate outdoor learning into their curriculum.
Second, a series of educational zines were developed in response to teacher feedback, providing accessible activities and prompts for engaging with the outdoor space.
Third, we hosted a family garden workshop that brought together students, caregivers, educators, and teaching artists in a multigenerational learning experience. During the workshop, participants learned from one another while engaging with hands-on artmaking and nature-based activities facilitated by teaching artists and community members.
Finally, the project will culminate in the installation of teacher-requested resources within the garden, making the space more accessible and usable for classroom instruction.
A key component of this project has been student leadership. Members of the Art Club played an active role in planning and facilitating the family workshop, leading the zine-making station and supporting participants throughout the event. Their involvement positioned students as leaders and knowledge-sharers within their school community.
The workshop was made possible through collaboration with teaching artists Angela Fremont, who facilitated printmaking activities, and Erika Malzoni, who led a collaborative REDE (network) weaving project centered on connection and community. Families attended alongside their children, creating a vibrant multigenerational environment where participants shared stories, ideas, and creative processes across ages and experiences.
The final phase of the project is being developed in collaboration with Ms. Salchli, a district science teacher and the manager of the school garden. Together, we are identifying and organizing resources that will be permanently available in the garden, ensuring that classroom teachers have the tools and support needed to integrate outdoor learning into their teaching practice. Through these partnerships, the Outdoor Studio Project aims to create a sustainable space for creativity, exploration, and community learning at PS 376.
