SPARK

This wasn’t your traditional teacher training and how could it be given what we do?!

At Spark, we believe our teachers should be well paid, well nourished, well supported and deeply connected to the community they are helping build.

We began the Spark Summit in a circle, tapping into our inner child and reflecting on the teachers, mentors, guides, and coaches who once saw something in us, challenged us, encouraged us, and helped shape who we became. We talked honestly about the challenges we are facing now, the responsibility of working with children, and the kind of teacher each of us wants to become and step into this year.

Of course, we reviewed policies, protocols, expectations, and some of the necessary mundane pieces that help keep children safe and programs running smoothly. Then we shared a pizza lunch, made art together playing with one of our new favorite projects: Mona Lisa’s New Look.

As we created, we wove in teaching best practices like how to introduce a lesson, ask better questions, offer meaningful choices, support different skill levels, and help children take creative risks without taking over their work.

We moved through a beautiful and challenging yoga class, weaving between an adult practice and the modifications, sequences, language, and playful options we can use when teaching children. We closed with questions, fall assignments, new Spark swag, and a clear sense that a major up-level is happening. 🚀 🔥

What an amazing day it was to sit with this crew of exceptional artists, educators, mentors, and human beings who embody so much of what Spark is about. We are so grateful for all they bring to this program.

We reminded them that Spark is not exceptional simply because of our curriculum or our four pillars of art, yoga, meditation, and nature. Those things matter deeply but the real magic comes from the quality of the adults leading the room.

Children may not remember every project, every pose, or every lesson we teach. But they will remember how we made them feel. And that is the standard we are carrying into this fall. ✨

Every summer, there’s one week I especially look forward to.

Founders Camp.

For one week, I return to the Upper West Side, the neighborhood where Spark first began over 11 years ago. Walking back into the studio, seeing familiar faces, meeting new families, and creating alongside the kids reminds me why I started this program in the first place.

This week is a chance to slow down, make art, laugh, explore, and share the values that have always been at the heart of Spark: creativity, curiosity, connection, and community. So much has grown over the years, but the heart of Spark has never changed.

To all of our longtime Spark families, thank you for continuing to be part of this story. And to those joining us for the first time, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here.

Here’s to another unforgettable Founders Camp. 🎨

Under the Sea Week at Spark NYC 🐠

This week, our young artists dove into the wonders of the ocean through art, science, play, and exploration.

We began by painting textured underwater scenes, using layers of blues and greens to capture the movement of the sea before adding fish, seaweed and ocean life.

We sculpted sea creatures from air-dry clay, learning how to transform simple shapes into playful three-dimensional forms.

We created glowing bioluminescent jellyfish, painting our canvases black before layering soft pastels to recreate the magical glow found deep beneath the ocean’s surface.

Our weekly museum adventure took us to the American Museum of Natural History, where we explored the Hall of Ocean Life and discovered the incredible creatures that inspired our artwork.

And of course, every day included plenty of outdoor time and free play at the playground because creativity flourishes when children have space to move, imagine, and simply be kids.

At Spark, every camp theme is an invitation to explore the world through art. We blend hands-on making, observation, science, movement, and play to create experiences that are both meaningful and memorable.

An amazing week filled with wonder beneath the sea! 🌊

Today we celebrated the final stage of the butterfly’s incredible journey by creating symmetrical butterflies.

Using acrylic paint, the children folded paper with wet paint inside to reveal vibrant, mirrored wings. As they worked, they saw how each butterfly turned out perfectly balanced yet completely one-of-a-kind, a wonderful reminder that nature is full of both pattern and individuality.

Over the course of the week, we’ve followed the butterfly’s transformation from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, and finally to butterfly. Through each project, we’ve blended art, science, observation, and imagination, helping children understand not just how butterflies transform, but how growth itself is a beautiful process.

We hope our campers leave this week remembering that transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It takes patience, curiosity, and confidence.

Just like the butterfly. 💛🦋✨

Day 2 of Metamorphosis Week!

Today we explored the second stage of the butterfly’s life cycle: the caterpillar.

Using construction paper, glue, and a little engineering, our artists transformed flat paper into playful 3D caterpillars. By rolling strips of paper to build the body and placing them on handcrafted leaves, they discovered how simple materials can create artwork full of movement and dimension.

There was a moment of pure amazement as the caterpillars began to take shape, proof that sometimes the most magical part of art is watching ordinary materials become something unexpected.

At Spark, we’re always looking for ways to blend creativity with hands-on problem-solving. Every project invites children to experiment, think in new ways, and experience the joy of bringing an idea to life.