20 years Atelier:
a space to imagine, create, and learn
This year, the Atelier at Colegio Bolívar celebrates two decades of inspiration and creativity. Since its inception in April 2005, in the welcoming Casa Limoncillo, this space has served as a laboratory for artistic exploration for our children, framed within the renowned Italian Reggio Emilia educational philosophy.
What began as a pilot project under the leadership of Manena Vilanova and Paula Agudelo soon became a fundamental pillar of learning at the school. In 2007, the Atelier inaugurated its own newly constructed space, allowing more students to engage in the experience of exploring and creating through art. Between 2008 and 2012, it even extended beyond the classrooms, leaving its mark on the Zona Chocó Research and Creation Laboratory, a project recognized by the Ministry of Culture.
In 2020, with the pandemic, the Atelier faced a great challenge: How could the Atelier exist without its physical space? The solution was to transform the children’s homes into small Ateliers, where each child created their own project using personal materials and ideas. This experience reaffirmed that creativity knows no boundaries and that art can emerge anywhere.
Today, under the direction of Paula Agudelo and with a team of artists, Ivonn Lloreda and Andrés Osorio, the Atelier continues to evolve, offering K4, K5, and first-grade children an environment where their ideas take shape through various symbolic languages. More than just an art workshop, it is a dynamic learning space where creativity drives knowledge.
Over the past 20 years, the Atelier has proven that when children have the opportunity to experiment, create, and explore, learning becomes a unique journey.
Happy anniversary to the Atelier and to everyone who has been a part of this wonderful journey!
April – May 2005
Pilot Project at Casa Limoncillo, under the leadership of Manena Vilanova and Paula Agudelo
The Atelier (Workshop) is framed within the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, where our children express their ideas through various artistic manifestations.
April – May 2005
April 4 2005
First Day of the Pilot Project
The program was offered to K5 and First Grade. K4 had six weeks to adapt to the Atelier’s procedures and workflow.
April 4 2005
August 2005 – June 2006
First Official School Year of the Atelier
August 2005 – June 2006
January 2007
Construction of the New Atelier
The New Atelier Opens Its Doors: January 2007
During the June-December 2006 semester, classes were held in the K5A classroom.
January 2007
2008-2012
The Atelier was responsible for the Zona Chocó Research and Creation Laboratory, a project for the Ministry of Culture
Here, the Atelier’s innovative approach received official government recognition.
2008-2012
2020
Pandemic
With the pandemic, the Atelier had to completely change its way of working, facing the question: How can the Atelier exist without its physical space? It became possible for children to develop small Ateliers in their homes, where each child created their own project using personal materials and ideas.
2020
2024
Now the Team is Formed by Artists
Paula Agudelo continues as the director, joined by two new team members.
K4 students attend the Atelier from January to May, K5 students work there throughout the entire school year, and first-grade students participate from August to December.
2024
