Acclaimed Artist Visits Julian Curtiss School For Robot Demonstration

GREENWICH, CT — Students at Julian Curtiss School last week welcomed acclaimed artist Agnieszka Pilat, who presented a hands-on demonstration of art, STEAM and robotics.

Pilat, who was dubbed as "Silicon Valley's favorite artist" by New York Magazine, is best known for creating art using a robot dog named Spot, made by Boston Dynamics.

"Machines are humanity’s children," said Pilat in a recent news release. She explained that her work is meant to evoke the power that technology commands in human society today.

An advocate for early arts education, Pilat said she hoped her rare presentation to elementary students at Julian Curtiss will inspire them to look at technology in new ways, not as something to fear but as tools to create a better world.

"Pilat’s work is a natural extension of our STEAM-focused strategies to integrate technology into the classroom and prepare our students for an ever-evolving world," said Principal Trish McGuire in a news release. "Art is a fun way to engage our students, plus it awakens their creativity, stimulates their curiosity, and shows that technology is meant to enable us, not replace us."

The visit from Pilat was funded by a generous Julian Curtiss parent and the JC Parent Teachers Association (JCPTA). The event represented a return to in-person programing following COVID-19-related limitations.

The JCPTA has a fundraising goal to continue to offer curriculum enrichment and field trips to bring students opportunities for hands-on learning that complement the innovative magnet school approach to personalized elementary education.