For the past few years the Early Childhood Development Center has taken over the UCEN Art Gallery for a few weeks to display children’s art. Their open house is always a bustling event with families coming to see their child’s work, faculty and staff popping by, and university students poking their heads in to see what all the commotion is about. The art is beautiful; the gallery full of life and color. Watching the children find their artwork and share the experience with their families is a lovely exchange to behold.

The ECDC is modeled after the Reggio Emilia philosophy that focuses heavily on the process of creating and exploring rather than the final product. The ECDC teachers create an entire experience surrounding a project which really comes out in the artwork on display. One installation showcases head teacher Mary Lynn Gottler’s classroom’s interaction with the Flint Farmers’ Market. The children loved to go to the Porters doughnut counter, talk to baker Jackie while watching her work, and sometimes get doughnuts. Seeing this excitement and engagement, Mary Lynn Gottler provided the children an opportunity to create their own doughnuts (last photo). The entire process is documented for viewers at the gallery in photos, stories, and art.

It’s an art experience you won’t want to miss, but will only be available until February 6, 2015.