On November 12, 2025, the schools’ exhibition “Young Works” was opened in the gallery of the Herbert Gerisch Foundation. In the past two years, students from various schools and institutions have had the opportunity to develop artistic projects together with the foundation. The starting point was current exhibitions, which were translated into creative learning processes.
The Johann-Hinrich-Fehrs-School was also involved. Under the direction of Ms. Wulf-Fechner, it is a central concern of our school to give children access to art in all its forms. The exhibition on Max Ernst offered a special occasion to explore graphic techniques such as frottage.
The children of the Doretta class, aged six and seven, curiously explored the park, discovered structures, surfaces, and materials – and independently transformed their impressions into art. This created a learning process that shows how important it is to give children space: to experiment, tell stories, create, and be proud of their own work. Their perspective is the focus – not that of adults.
That is precisely our goal: to strengthen children where they are.
To give them space to act independently. See their strengths, not their deficits.
Every child brings their own possibilities – and art helps to make them visible.
The collaboration with the Gerisch Foundation impressively showed how art strengthens children, unfolds their creativity, and makes hidden potentials shine.
Because, as Maria Montessori said: “The task of the environment is not to shape the child, but to allow him to reveal himself!”
Kristin Walle
Class teacher
