REAIE’s Mosaic of Marks exhibition brings Reggio Emilia’s expressive pedagogy to Marrickville

A celebrated Reggio Emilia exhibition, The Mosaic of Marks, Words, Material, is set to open at Marrickville Library, offering Australian educators an immersive atelier-based learning experience.

The Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE) will present the internationally acclaimed Mosaic of Marks, Words, Material exhibition at Marrickville Library, New South Wales, from 30 August to 22 September 2025. This marks the first time the exhibition will be hosted in Sydney, highlighting REAIE’s commitment to bringing globally recognised pedagogical encounters to local communities.

Described as a unique and interactive professional learning opportunity, the exhibition explores children’s creativity through the “hundred languages” a central concept of the Reggio Emilia Approach. Educators will engage with a diverse range of materials, tools and artistic processes, experiencing firsthand how children use drawing, storytelling and making to construct meaning.

REAIE Vice-Chairperson Kirsty Liljegren said the exhibition arrives at a critical time for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.

“At these moments, our hearts are heavy as we consider the current state of play in the sector,” Ms Liljegren said.

“We continue to advocate for children’s right to safety and to environments of quality where they can flourish, express, generate and make meaning. As adults, we are called to keep our learning nourished, questioning and imagining.”

Centred around the atelier as a space for collaborative research, the exhibition invites educators to reflect on the role of aesthetics, materials and relationships in pedagogy. Led by experienced facilitators and atelieristas, workshops and masterclasses will explore democratic learning environments where thinking and feeling converge through creative expression.

Participation in the exhibition is free, though bookings are essential due to limited availability. Following its Sydney season, the exhibition will continue its Australian tour with a stop in Queensland this October.

For bookings and more information visit: REAIE website