University of Southern Indiana co-sponsoring traveling art exhibit from Italy

An opening gala of the "The Wonder of Learning - The Hundred Languages of Children" art exhibit from Reggio Emilia, Italy will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 31, in the Henderson Fine Arts Center at Henderson Community College. The travelling exhibition recounts experience from infant-toddler centers, preschools, and primary schools in the city of Reggio Emilia and is offered as a democratic piazza calling international attention to the importance of education and schools as places for discussion and mutual exchange.

University of Southern Indiana, Murray State University, and Henderson Community College have collaboratively sponsored Dr. Lella Gandini, visiting professor, and her colleague, Amelia Gambini, who will provide opening remarks at the gala.

While the exhibition is in Henderson from January 31 through June 14, Gandini will teach a course for sponsoring institutions' education majors and other community educators titled "Advanced Reflections on The Reggio Emilia Approach."

The public is invited to three professional development workshops for educators. Family Literacy / Math Day is March 9; Building Continuity of Learning through the Reggio Approach: creating excellence in education is May 14 and 15; and Partners in Education: engaging families, schools, and communities is May 16 through 18. More information about class times and fees can be found at http://www.wonderoflearninginky.org/professionaldevelopment/.

"The schools of Reggio Emilia are world renowned for sharing their vision of children and education through the Hundred Languages of Children Exhibit," said Jane Meyer, USI assistant professor of education. "The professional development conferences, coursework, and exhibit will expand teacher candidates' views of teaching and learning. They will look with new eyes at children's abilities to construct knowledge using their many different 'languages' such as sculpture, constructions, and drama. They will be inspired to create environments, pedagogy, and relationships that excite children's imagination, curiosity, and intellectual development."

"The Wonder of Learning" exhibit has been touring major cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico since 1987. The exhibit at the Henderson Fine Arts Center in Kentucky marks the first time it has been located anywhere other than a major metropolitan city.