Meet The Wonder Studio Teachers!

And

Artist In Residence (Below)

  • Teacher Shannon

    After Graduating from University of Florida (GO GATORS!) with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, 2001. I taught Junior Kindergarten at Shorecrest Preparatory School for 6 years. My daughter was born in 2007 and I decided to be a stay at home mom for a couple of years.

    And then…

    The Wonder Studio is a small business I started in 2009.

    Having researched and intensely studying the pre-primary schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy for many years…I longed for a place where my own children and I could visit together that would expose them to the 100 languages of children.

    I wanted to create artistic and creative experiences that were high quality and put the child into the role of protagonist of his/her learning.

    Thus began my starting up and leading a community of like-minded mothers, fathers, and caregivers who wanted to accompany their children on a journey together in Wonder and Joy.

    The Wonder Studio, named for the environmentalist Rachel Carson and her beautiful book, The Sense of Wonder…is an arts and science studio for young children and the caregivers who love them.

    My children were (and still are) the most inspiring people I had ever met. I wanted to learn all I could about them and who they were.

    With an understanding of my favorite educational theorists, psychologists, and philosophers…I designed a unique program that would allow both the child and the caregiver to learn about themselves and others in a safe, caring, and creative “Studio” environment.

    Studio spaces are designed for mess making. I have believed for many years now that learning is a messy process. I believe that children need to use “more” materials before they can learn the benefits of using “less”. At The Wonder Studio, we are paying close attention to the ways children are motivated to use materials. We believe in the social and cognitive learning that happens when children are in a group setting with other children and adults with different learning styles.

    Every element of The Wonder Studio is designed so that the child can be independent in his/her exploration and/or use in collaboration with an experienced co-wonder’er.

  • Teacher Allison Hawley Brown

    Hi, I’m Allison (Hawley) Brown. I’m so thrilled to be teaching at Wonder Studio!

    Born and raised in Kansas City, I graduated with a degree in English literature from University of Denver before teaching in the Teach For America program in New Orleans for two years. I spent the next five years in New York City, first getting my masters degree in Literacy Education at NYU and then teaching kindergarten and first grade in NYC public schools. I tried out middle school for a couple of years back in Denver before realizing I wanted to go back to teaching little ones. I moved to St. Pete in 2011 to teach first grade and kindergarten at Shorecrest. I taught at Shorecrest for nine years (having the privilege to teach both of Shannon’s children!) before I stopped to do my favorite work yet— being a mom to my two boys: Walden, 3 1/2 and August (Auggie), 2.

    Watching my own children grow and explore the world has deepened my belief in the importance of giving children the freedom, space, and opportunity to explore and create. When we trust children enough to stand back, observe, and allow them to take the lead, they will show us all the creativity and wonder that lies inside them. This is the beauty of the Wonder Studio! I can’t wait to wonder with you all!!

  • Teacher Evan

    As an artist, I create work that sparks joy and invites connection, and I have a passion for facilitating others' exploration and creativity. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching art to all age groups—from the littlest learners to adults.  I hold a BFA from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts and a MAT in Art Education from Tufts University.

    My journey with The Wonder Studio began years ago when I attended with my niece. I was instantly captivated by the studio’s spirit of play and discovery, and it became a space that truly felt like home. This year, I’m thrilled to be starting a new chapter at Wonder Studio with my own daughter, Wiley!

    My hopes and dreams for this term are to embrace the magic of play, curiosity, and exploration alongside our Wonder Studio community. 

    Let’s create, discover, and grow together. I’m so excited for this adventure!

Welcome Evan Neidich!

In my art, I strive to ignite the joyful imagination within each viewer. My work, characterized by its whimsical and vibrant quality, draws heavily from my childhood and my experiences teaching art to children. I find inspiration in the wonder of early life, as well as in the playful nature of children’s art and illustrations.

My art explores themes of nature, animals, the cosmos, the beauty found in everyday moments and the inner world of imagination we all have.  I work primarily with gouache paint and ink, exploring their rich textures and vibrant colors to bring whimsical visions to life. The opaque, versatile nature of gouache allows me to experiment with layering and detail, creating layers of depth and playfulness that resonate with the themes of joy and imagination in my work. Through this medium, I aim to share a piece of the wonder I see in the world.

I hope my work will encourage others to reconnect with their own creativity and experience a sense of delight. Through each piece, I invite viewers to rediscover the wonder and joy that can be found in the simplest of moments and the power of imagination.

The Wonder Studio’s First:

Artist in Residence!

Originally from New England, Evan grew up immersed in the natural beauty of beaches and woods, experiences that continue to inspire her art. From an early age, Evan has been interested in the creative process, evolving her practice from childhood explorations to a diverse and vibrant artistic career.

Evan holds a BFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and an MAT from Tufts University, which have equipped her with a rich foundation in both artistic creation and education. Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally.

Currently based in St. Petersburg with her daughter, husband, and little doggy, Evan actively participates in the local art scene. You can find her at the St. Pete Saturday Morning Market and as a member of the artist collective Daydream. Her recent projects include creating murals and three-dimensional paper illustrations, allowing her to explore new dimensions and scales in her work.j

Evan at The Wonder Studio!

We are excited to see the magic from Evan’s inspirations and creations and how it will affect our Wonder’ers at the studio.

Evan is working on a number of projects for The Wonder Studio including:

  • a Mural on our WS building!!

  • Collaborative arts investigations that create a shared art adventure for our students and caregivers. (See examples in pics!)

  • Reusing discarded children’s artwork for new creations.

  • Brainstorming with WS Teachers on new ideas for Mobiles and other mediums.

  • Installing her own Artist work into Wonder Studio to see reactions from students!