The aRtof Learning
Play Full Ground's
Curiosity, Collaboration, and Shared Inquiry—Learning as Art.
Play Full Ground is a creative microschool and learning lab in Monterey, CA. Rooted in an artist’s approach to learning, the studio values attention, experimentation, and lived experience as foundations for growth.
There is no single right answer here. Students are encouraged to explore multiple approaches and develop their own creative voice through curiosity, collaboration, and reflection.
This is not a traditional classroom or art class. Learning unfolds through conversation, experimentation, observation, and thoughtful reflection rather than fixed lessons or predetermined outcomes.
Students engage in long-term inquiries and collaborative projects that may include art-making, movement, discussion, and close attention to their environment and everyday experiences.
Making is part of the process when it supports inquiry, with the emphasis on noticing, questioning, and developing ideas rather than producing finished objects.
The program is designed for learners who are curious, self-motivated, and comfortable working without step-by-step instruction. Placement is based on readiness rather than age.
Inspired by project-based learning and socially engaged art, Play Full Ground is a participatory creative practice shaped over time by students, families, and mentors.
I'm Mai Ryuno
Artist | Educator | Founder
As an artist and educator, I see education itself as an art form, and every student as an artist of their own life.
My mother once called me a dreamer and encouraged me to follow my vision. She supported my decision to move from Japan to the Monterey Peninsula to study art—not with instructions, but with something more powerful: her trust. That trust became my compass, teaching me to explore, take risks, and discover my own path as an artist.
Through years of process-based and socially engaged art practice, I came to understand creativity not as a skill, but as a way of being. Meaning emerges through curiosity, experimentation, and reflection. Learning happens most deeply through shared experience and community.
Over time, I became less interested in teaching specific techniques and more interested in how people learn, think, and grow. I began to see education as a creative act—one that invites connection, discovery, and perseverance rather than correct answers. My own artistic practice shapes the way I guide students: attentive, responsive, and grounded in exploration.
Play Full Ground grew out of this journey. It is the living expression of what I’ve learned as an artist and educator. Here, I offer students what my mother once offered me: a space rooted in trust, curiosity, and possibility. Students are encouraged to experiment, reflect, take responsibility for their learning, and grow into the artists of their own lives.
Discover
Learning Through Think, Do, Share
At Play Full Ground, the day unfolds in three creative blocks:
THINK: Morning Independent Learning Studio
A focused time for reflection, research, and independent inquiry. Students bring their own academic or or personal projects and pursue it with mentor support through regular check-ins and planning.
DO: Creative Project Studio
(T + Th)
Students learn how to turn ideas into form. Through hands-on experimentation, they choose a medium that fits their concept and develop the skills needed to bring it into the world.
Share: Friday Weekly Learning Share/Reflection
A weekly gathering where students share their work, reflect on their process, and engage in discussion with peers. This session transforms the studio into a living artwork, as everyone contributes to a collaborative creative environment and experiences the full circle of learning from thinking, doing, to sharing.
Think, Do, Share: Afterschool Collaborative Art Studio (T + TH)
A collaborative, inquiry-driven studio where students explore ideas through conversation, experimentation, and shared making. Inspired by socially engaged art, this program emphasizes process, community, and reflection over finished outcomes.
Not sure yet? Start with a Reflection Form
Students Reflect on Learning with Mai
“Mai uses thought-provoking discussions to help students see art as a formal expression and think critically.”
“She works well with all the different stages individuals may be in with their work. She has insights to share, but lets the student find their own way.”
"I like the approach—not giving too many specific instructions, but allowing students to experiment and find their own style. Mai fosters a great atmosphere of sharing and learning from each other."
“Mai has great ideas to challenge how we approach our work. She is truly non-judgmental about different approaches and encourages you to explore your creativity.”
“Thank you for this experience! You have opened my eyes to all the different aspects of life we call art.”
Play Full Ground
550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E
Monterey, CA 93940
hello@playfullground.com
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Play Full Ground is thankful for the support!
