SQUAD Art Studio

01/05/2026

i am so delighted to announce a new collaboration -- Play Date: a 10-month Residency for parenting artists in collaboration with RADIANT HALL, SQUAD Art Studio, The Anthropology of Motherhood, and Carlow University!
if you are interested, please feel free to reach out with any questions that you might have! the interest form is linked below!

PLAYDATE RESIDENCY
10-month parenting artist residency of + Play Date development in collaboration with Anthropology of Motherhood, SQUAD Art Studio, and Carlow University
Residency begins Spring 2026
Deadline for interest forms Jan. 16
bit.ly/aomplaydate

12/11/2025

Hey SQUAD families! We have the incredible opportunity to share our work in a national exhibition! If you would like for your child's work to be included, please either comment below or reach out to me at [email protected]! I would LOVE to feature our work in this way!

08/04/2025

with .repost
・・・
treehouses galore + more 🌴🪾🌳one of my all-time favorites for preK-2s 🤩inspired by .creativityproject 💕such a captivating experience, it's always so incredible to see what the kids engineer when provided with inspiration, abundant materials, and support! there are pulleys, secret passageways, ladders, elevators + skyscrapers! camp with me 😊

02/14/2025

SQUAD 2025 is off to a fab beginning!

and the first step of any good SQUAD is sketchbook time! ample, free time to draw in sketchbooks is the foundation of each SQUAD sesh!

inspired by the work of we incorporate sketchbook practice into SQUAD using the model of writing journals developed by literacy educator Anne Haas Dyson where topics are chosen freely by children and where words and images intertwine with children's relationships and interests.

As notes, these drawings "originate and develop in children's minds and reflect their inclinations, interests, experiences and abilities."

The ritual of sketchbook time helps to establish and nurture our relationships in our shared time together and to generate concepts and movements in our shared art-making that we will explore together through the next five weeks!

10/27/2024

Hey, SQUAD! We are gearing up for such an exciting Spring season! I'm so happy to announce that we'll be back at Fairview Elementary for the Great Expectations after school program in January!

I'm also so excited to announce a brand-new collaboration with the after school program at the Lauri Ann West Community Center! Join us there for six weeks of process-based media explorations featuring STEAM, the natural world, contemporary art, and our local community!!

Stay tuned for further information, dates, and registration contacts!

09/29/2024

Exciting News! My Sr. Mary Paul Hickey Educator Workshop has been rescheduled! Save the date for Thursday, November 14th, from 6-7:30 PM. Join me for an evening of artistic exploration and collaboration! This event is FREE and open to all educators and caregivers of young children, and includes continuing education credits. Don't forget to share with others who might be interested!

This immersive workshop focuses on setting intentions, inspiring creativity, and igniting imagination in your classroom. Strengthen bonds through co-creating with children and exploring creative conversations in museums, galleries, and the community. Research consistently shows that creativity enhances neurological development and improves social-emotional learning, wellness, and infuses educational experiences with wonder and joy for both children and adults!

Thank you for your support! If you are interested in scheduling workshop for your organization, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]!

https://www.eventbrite.com/.../rediscovering-your-inner...

09/22/2024

I am thrilled to announce the first Sr. Mary Paul Hickey Educator Workshop of the academic year series! Join me for an evening of artistic exploration and collaboration. This event is free and open to all educators. Feel free to share the invitation with your colleagues. Thank you for your support!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rediscovering-your-inner-artist-guided-media-exploration-tickets-1012787503687?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&fbclid=IwY2xjawFVnbpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdf0qJdneb1TK8lUIx_TLKZB4kqSSr_WIl8HtrNLpQ8Asr0p5auOPXtzIA_aem_LK2CfTw7UUt_EO2RcRzkZA

An immersive workshop that focuses upon setting intentions, inspiring creativity, and igniting imagination in your classroom.

07/19/2024

it was an absolutely lovely morning in the garden at Cooper-Siegel Community Library to explore polymers, to consider the work of artist dale chihuly and to create native wildflower seed bombs! thank you so much to the children and families who joined us 💫🧡

We had a GREAT time (and great weather) exploring polymers through interactive experiences with Marissa from SQUAD Art Studio

07/06/2024

Pittsburgh friends! We'd love for you to join us for some STEAMy summer fun at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel!

This week's STEAM Storytime will feature STEAMy Summer Fun with Squad Art Studio! Kids and their caregivers can explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) concepts through a series of interactive, playful experiences focusing on the different states of water. For kids ages 2-5. We design these programs to include activities that develop many skills including early literacy, social-emotional, and motor skills. Practicing these skills now will help your child be successful in school later.

This week's STEAM Storytime will feature STEAMy Summer Fun with Squad Art Studio!

06/13/2024

Hey, SQUAD! We have lots of new visitors here, so I'm thrilled to introduce you to SQUAD Art Studio, your ultimate empowerment team and community! 🌟 With us, you'll unlock creativity, strengthen family bonds, and embark on an enriching educational journey for you and your child.

Here's how our high-quality art and STEAM education can transform family life, educators, and young children:
- Enhance family relationships and create lasting memories through creativity-infused routines.
- Foster 21st-century skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership in both you and your child.
- Boost confidence and curiosity through engaging learning experiences.

As parents ourselves, we understand the challenges of living an artful life with young children:
- Overcome time, money, and space constraints by maximizing existing resources and routines with SQUAD.
- Replace screen time with enriching activities, independent play, and technology-enhanced art skills.
- Build creative confidence and explore artistic abilities with joy and wonder through SQUAD resources.

Ready to learn more or collaborate? We'd love to connect with you! Visit our website to join the SQUAD community (link in bio)!

06/05/2024

Get Ready for a STEAMy summer adventure with SQUAD at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel!

Save the date for July 19th from 10:30-11:30 AM, because you won't want to miss out on a summer morning filled with exciting, squishy fun at the Cooper-Siegel Community Library's STEAM Storytime!

We are inviting children, ages 2-5, to a special storytime that seamlessly blends captivating tales with hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities. Our 15-minute storytime will ignite imaginations, and then it's time to dive into a world of interactive play and exploration. Together, you'll discover STEAM concepts through engaging and playful experiences designed to inspire and to educate!

Join us in the library's beautiful Welcome Garden, weather permitting. If the skies aren't on our side, we'll continue the fun indoors in the Children's Department.

We can't wait to see you there!

05/18/2024

i was so honored to facilitate a workshop about approaches to creating caregiving for caregivers of young children today in collaboration with 🌿

we focused on practicing and identifying strategies to support creative caregivers: prompts and responses that are easy, free, and that fit right into and enhance your family routines!

i will be updating this site as well as my email list this summer with upcoming public workshops and programming in the fox chapel and pittsburgh area! you can register for email updates on the squad website, too!



if you are interested in booking a one hour workshop or a series of workshops for your organization, please visit the link in my bio for more information or to reach out to me with questions!