Thinking about BC

I am halfway through my summer programming, and in mid-August, I'll have one week off.  I'm beginning to plan a one-night trip to Vancouver, BC, and some surrounding towns to visit some inspiring early childhood spaces.

Urban Source is an alternative art material shop that functions a bit in the style of ReMida.  They use recycled materials from different local industries, find innovative uses for the materials, and they work most often with artists and educators.  I have been to the ReMida in Reggio Emilia, but have not had the opportunity to see a North American version.

I have to go to The Wonder of Learning exhibit: it will be in Vancouver until December.  I had the opportunity to interact in the Ray of Light Atelier in Reggio Emilia in 2009, but The Wonder of Learning exhibit is much more than just that.

I just learned about Little Treasures, a shop that sells "beautiful and creative materials for children".  Looking at their photos, it almost seems like a vintage or second hand shop geared towards creation and dramatic play, and I love that concept!  I know I'll find myself wanting to buy some things that I know I'll want for the future, but don't need for the nature of my current work!  I'm really looking forward to that stop.

(found via strong start, via images of learning project)

I don't think that a trip to Vancouver would be complete without going to Collage Collage.  I read about it a few years back, while still in Brussels, and the space seems to have evolved since the first time I saw images.  It looks beautiful, and like a place that a child would love to be.

I'm in a bit of a plan-making stage in my career as an educator, and I hope that Vancouver will be the first of many little visits I make in the next year, taking in some inspiring spaces and getting the focus of my own work clearer.  Are you in the Vancouver area?  Should we have a coffee?