Artist in Residence

Jayne Cooper has been Atelierista, or Artist in Residence at Arbourthorne for over twelve years. During this time she has worked across the federation delivering a range of projects aimed at promoting high quality speaking and listening skills for children and their families, and raising standards in literacy through engagement with the visual arts. Having founded the Family Art Club in 2009, Jayne has continued to work closely with many of our families, building relationships, confidence and engaging routes into home learning. Jayne divides most of her time between our schools and her painting studio in Louth, Lincolnshire, where she enjoys the crossover of ideas and experiences between the two practices.  

Atelierista is an Italian term for a teacher with an Arts background. The Atelierista works from her Atelier (studio); a place where children become experts in their own learning through exposure to a range of ‘intelligent’ materials and hands-on artistic explorations.  Through the Atelierista’s careful guidance and continuous documentation, children reflect and re-trace their discoveries, shaping future learning and placing value on process above outcome.