Louisiana Children’s Museum hosts “Mosaic of Marks, Words and Material”

Written By Alicia Vial

A Reggio Emilia-inspired journey into the expressive power and potential of early childhood

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM) is excited to announce the arrival of Mosaic of Marks, Words and Material, an internationally acclaimed exhibit inspired by the globally respected Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. Sponsored by Agenda for Children, the free exhibit will be open to the public from November 2025 through March 2026 and will culminate with the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) Winter Conference in New Orleans.

The exhibit highlights how children express their thoughts and imagination through drawing and the many decisions that they make in selecting surfaces and the materials provided.

"Hosting Mosaic of Marks, Words and Material highlights the heart of our mission to celebrate children’s creativity and curiosity," said museum CEO Tifferney White. "This exhibit is a testament to the power of child-led learning, and we are proud to bring this world class experience to our community."

Mosaic of Marks, Words, and Material is an exciting, interactive exhibition-atelier that invites visitors to explore the profound creative and cognitive abilities of young children. Far from a traditional "look-but-don't-touch" display, this unique setting from Reggio Emilia, Italy, operates as an atelier, meaning it incorporates a hands-on workshop space alongside the exhibit. It showcases the drawings and narrative work created by children, offering adults an insightful opportunity to better understand and appreciate the richness of expression and thought that children naturally generate.

LCM and Agenda for Children invite early childhood educators, parents, and caregivers to visit the exhibit and atelier to explore with a variety of tools including paints, pencils, natural objects, and a variety of surfaces. Guests will be encouraged to consider their own thought processes as they experience the atelier and will plan ways to practice observing and listening to children as they approach similar activities.

“This exhibit celebrates the creativity and potential that lives within every child,” said Jen Roberts, CEO of Agenda for Children, the generous sponsor of the exhibition. “At Agenda for Children, we believe that when we invest in young children—nurturing their curiosity, imagination, and development—we strengthen families, communities, and the future of our state. We are proud to support an experience that uplifts the brilliance of Louisiana’s youngest learners and reminds us of what is possible when every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

Rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the exhibit celebrates the idea that children are capable, competent, and full of potential. Through mark making, children make meaning of their world, and this exhibit makes that process visible to families, educators, and community members.

"As a Reggio Emilia inspired museum, we practice a philosophy of making children's thinking and learning visible," said Chief Learning Officer Dr. Shannon Blady. "We value children’s ideas, questions, and expressions and collect these through a process of observing, listening, and documenting. We share all of this with other grown-ups to highlight just how curious, creative, and impressive our children are. The Mosaic of Marks exhibit is a beautiful example of this kind of documentation."

The exhibit will culminate with the 17th NAREA Winter Conference: Creativity as a Collective Right: Learning in Relationship and Context in New Orleans March 5-7, 2026.

Event Details

  • What: Mosaic of Marks, Words and Material – Reggio Emilia Exhibit

  • When: October 2025 through March 2026

  • Time: Wednesday-Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sundays: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Where: Louisiana Children’s Museum, 15 Henry Thomas Dr., New Orleans, LA

  • Tickets: Free and open to the public

  • Sponsor: Agenda for Children

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About Louisiana Children’s Museum

Louisiana Children’s Museum has long been known for its work in the community through innovative outreach and nationally recognized programs that support children and advance the museum’s mission to contribute to the region's future prosperity by engaging children's potential and making that potential visible. Through play, shared explorations, and in dialogue with adults, LCM connects children to each other, their caregivers, their environments, and the community. Keep up with Louisiana Children’s Museum and future announcements at lcm.org and on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Agenda for Children

Agenda for Children has been working to improve child well-being in Louisiana for more than 40 years by supporting, informing, and empowering the educators, families, policymakers, donors, and advocates who impact children’s lives. We work every day to unite everyone who puts children first.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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