Dear PhinneyWood readers, as 2019 winds down and turns to 2020, we are taking the time to highlight some of our incredible neighborhood businesses that make PhinneyWood what it is. We will return to regular news and events Monday, January 6.
Founded in Seattle in 2013, Illumination Learning Studio and Illumineers Preschol & Pre-K is a private cultural, performing and fine arts school started by husband and wife, Michael and Molli Piper, with oldest son CM Piper. The family has a background in early learning education, music and arts.
Mike and Molli play an active role in their community, helping organize many well-known community events put on by the Phinney Neighborhood Association and the Ballard Alliance of Small Businesses. They moved from Chicago to Seattle in June of 2013 to be closer to their granddaughters. The Piper family opened their first Illumination Learning Studio (ILS) on Greenwood and 78th of that year.
The overriding mission of Illumination is to be a combination of education and the arts with a focus on building community and being active in the local community. ILS began with 26 kids for their afterschool enrichment classes and 2 preschoolers for Molli’s half-day preschool.
“Our integrated arts curriculum uses singing, learning music, dance, drama, Spanish, and yoga to support early childhood development,” said Molli. “These early years are the most critical for important learning behaviors and knowledge, while encouraging a child’s love for learning and exploring.”
Molli became a member of the PNA in 2013 and a member of the Small Business Advisory Board in 2015 for the Phinney Ridge/Greenwood community. She has sat on many committees such as Rainbow Hop, Summer Streets, Hunger Goblin, and Holiday Promotions and has ensured that Illumination Learning Studio could play an active role with each of these events.
The big news of note is that ILS is expanding in Ballard next fall! The new Illumineers Preschool will be located inside Illumination Learning Studio at 2821 NW Market Street. (Next door to Portage Bay Café near the Locks.) The preschool will run from September to July each year, holding fun half-day camps in August. The school offers a 3 or 5-day enrollment option.
Illumination Learning Studio
(206) 237-4913
illuminationlearningstudio.com
