New artist-in-residence program brings summer workshops to MSLF
August 11, 2018

Montessori School of Lake Forest launched its first Artist in Residence program this past school year with abstract landscape artist, Kathleen Warren. The objective of this initiative was to engage students in the process of different, alternative and unique art forms. Through workshops and exploration, participants had the opportunity to learn this method, the technique and subsequently individualize a piece. They brought their thoughts, ideas and vision together with friends to create a larger, collaborative work, now proudly displayed in the school rotunda.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSLF is now partnered with Libertyville artist Jenny Sweeney for a summer residency of new and exciting workshops.  

Sweeney is a celebrated, multi-talented local Libertyville artist. Her art is sunny and upbeat. Influenced by being a peace-loving child of the 1970’s, she finds inspiration in the natural world around her.    The colors are radiant and warm, filling the ‘canvas’, whatever that might be, with good vibes. From miniature masterpieces to big, bold canvases that make a statement, one cannot help but find something that speaks directly to them.

At the core of the program is MSLF’s vast outdoor classroom, and the inspiration and education derived from it. Focused on the utilization of the world around them – nature, leaves, stones, flowers, branches, feathers – the list is infinite, students of various ages were able to participate in three very unique and inspiring workshops.   

The youngest students used simple found, forgotten or collected items and explored collage work to create a new treasure at the Tinker Trays & Found Objects workshop. Primary students, inspired by the beautiful blooming flowers around them, used recycled materials, and a collection of things from the art cupboards to create  a giant flower garden at the Giant  Flower Making workshop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSLF hosted the final workshop, Build Your Own Cardboard City, for students 6 years or older on Aug. 6.    Students used recycled boxes, collected materials and created their own unique, large-scale building. The project was completed when students came together to assemble a colorful and eclectic city.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are photos from Jenny Sweeney’s workshops:

 

By Teresa Pavelich June 2, 2025
At MSLF, overnight trips become an important part of Montessori learning beginning in Lower Elementary. Each trip is carefully planned to meet the developmental needs of students in the second and third plane of development , with each overnight trip getting progressively longer to ease children into these independent journeys away from their families. These aren't just trips - they're carefully crafted opportunities for students to discover who they are, what they're capable of, and how they can contribute to their community and the wider world. Beginning in their first year of Lower Elementary, students take their first MSLF overnight trip to Nature’s Classroom in Wisconsin. For many Lower Elementary students, this trip represents their first nights away from home. During their trip they explore the outdoors, work together in groups, use their practical life skills during community meals, and grow! It’s this first overnight trip for MSLF students where parents and staff remark how students come back almost transformed after being able to develop their independence in a supportive environment. Our Upper Elementary classroom has embarked on overnight trips to both Camp Timber-lee in Wisconsin and The Country Experience at Amstutz Family Farm in Elizabeth, IL. Both locations provide students with increasing opportunities to apply their practical life skills, like checking the weather to ensure they have weather-appropriate gear for their trip. Every task empowers them to develop self-reliance and problem-solving skills. These trips are also opportunities for the students to get to know one another and build strong relationships with their peers and with the adults in their classroom. Adolescent Program students at MSLF have opportunities to visit both Springfield, IL and Washington, DC . These overnight trips tie directly into their studies – connecting curriculum learned in the classroom to experiences in the wider community. They often take their learning on the road, for example by watching a legislative session in action in Springfield to see which bills are passed during their trip or presenting their research papers at monuments in Washington, DC. And for these students, the skills they built on their trips in Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary are put to work, as they pack their own bags, learn more about public transportation, and plan their daily itineraries to make the most out of their visit. Experiences like these at MSLF support the child’s independence, laying the groundwork for transitions in later life: the start of high school, going away to college, a first job, and beyond. As they conquer challenges outside their comfort zone, their confidence soars, laying the foundation for the autonomy and independence they will continue to utilize throughout their Montessori experience and beyond. It’s good for parents, too, to see how truly capable our children are!
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