Written by Spring 2025 AFA Intern Anouk Mignon
On Wednesday, May 28th, I was able to join teaching artist Briget at PS15 The Roberto Clemente school. The theme of the class was part of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a month dedicated to celebrating Asian and Pacific Island cultures.
This class introduced the children to the world of Losang Samten, a Tibetan artist known for his mastery of sand mandalas. Briget made his work both accessible and educational. She began each session by explaining what a mandala is: a circular artwork rich in patterns. The children were then invited to create their own mandalas using three different-sized circles that had been pre-cut for them.
In Ms. Mendolia’s first-grade class, the children revisited the concept of patterns, which they had already explored in previous sessions. Some chose very geometric and symmetrical shapes, while others took a freer approach, using colors and designs. What struck me most was how Briget encouraged each child’s creativity: there were no strict expectations, just an open invitation to experiment.
In the second-grade classes of Ms. Frazier, Ms. Morel, and Ms. Pastor, many children had fun inventing unexpected patterns. Some even drew bees or miniature landscapes. It was interesting to see that many students spontaneously asked questions about the Tibetan artist’s use of sand and the meaning behind the designs.
Throughout the day, I noticed the genuine connection between Briget and the children. She offered thoughtful encouragement and the children, in turn, actively sought her out, asked for feedback, and engaged with her suggestions.
We ended the day with a goodbye and a quick recap of everything they had accomplished. It was a wonderful experience to be part of these three classes, and I truly hope to come back again!
