A Neighborhood Partnership Bridging Generations through Art

Inside a sun-drenched classroom at Childpeace Montessori School, a 100-pound vintage printing press is currently serving as a bridge. On one side of the hand-crank is Ethan, a third-grader who has become a fixture in the studio. On the other is a neighbor from four blocks away at The Watermark at the Pearl, someone who might be 70 years his senior but is currently his "Project Partner."

"You have to keep an open mind," Ethan tells her, "and you have to have fun."

That exchange has become the unofficial motto of the Childpeace Print Shop. While the studio is a physical space within our school, its philosophy extends well beyond the classroom. This is a partnership between Childpeace and our neighbors at The Watermark that proves the youngest and oldest members of a community belong together.

A Legacy of Connection

For Childpeace Print Shop Coordinator Pam Bishop, this program is the latest chapter in a story that began in 1999, when the school first established a classroom within an assisted living facility. Pam joined in 2007, dedicated to the idea that a true intergenerational community is a vital form of diversity.

"In a world where generations are separated more and more, people become isolated," Pam explains. "We wanted to create deeper, personal connections. Over the years, we’ve embraced the whole cycle of life together, from celebrating holidays to sewing pillows for families when a beloved resident passed away. It’s about learning grace, courtesy, and the beauty of service."

After a brief hiatus during the pandemic, the program found a new spark when The Watermark reached out to restart the partnership. That was when Pam met Annie Painter.

The Vision of a Working Artist

In Montessori, a "Going Out" is when students leave the classroom to engage with the larger community. In this partnership, the community engages with the school through Annie Painter's expertise.

Annie is a former elementary principal and international arts consultant who has taught from New York City to the Mariana Islands. When she moved into the neighborhood in 2023, she brought a professional printing press that had been "gathering dust" and donated it to the school to serve as the heart of this partnership. Even as she has recently transitioned to a new home outside of The Watermark, she remains the essential liaison, continuing to teach in the studio.

"My job is to think about what they need to know and how to coach them," Annie explains. "I feel more purposeful, less isolated. I’m staying connected to youth, and maybe they’ll expand their notions of what ‘old’ means."

Ghost Prints and Banners

In the studio, the work is tactile and meticulous. Using nontoxic Akua ink, the Project Partners create embossings, color originals, and "ghost" prints on wet paper.

The success of the partnership is regularly on display through gallery exhibitions. Rather than taking individual assignments home, the students keep their work in collective portfolios. For exhibitions, these are mounted on massive banners—wall-sized portfolios that allow students to stand by their work and walk parents and neighbors through the technical process, from the initial rubbing to the final crank of the press.

A Commitment to the Partnership

While the hands-on work happens at the press, the program’s longevity is made possible by a deep organizational commitment. The partnership between Childpeace and The Watermark remains a dedicated priority for both institutions.

"This partnership is something truly special," says Annie. "There has been a consistent commitment from The Watermark to match 'real money with real money' with Childpeace to keep this studio running. We are so grateful for that continued investment."

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