Shannon Merenstein is a lifelong Pittsburgher and educator interested in art-making and playful learning with young children.

For over 14 years she has worked alongside children ages 8 months to 12 years, encouraging exploration, discovery, curiosity, and wonder through child-centered, open-ended art and play experiences. In 2015, she opened Hatch, a space dedicated to providing opportunities for creative thinking, problem-solving, risk-taking, and self-expression. In 2017, days before the birth of her second son, Shannon’s first book Collage Workshop for Kids (co-authored by the studio educators at the Eric Carle Museum) was published by Quarto Kids.

In 2020, Hatch moved from Point Breeze to Wilkinsburg, undergoing a major shift in offerings with unwavering dedication to mission through various programs including the provision of Hatch Create + Play kits to classrooms around the country paired with hands-on professional development around creative thinking and playful learning.

Shannon is a workshop and professional development leader, utilizing human-centered design strategies to effect change in education and collaborates with many organizations and schools in Pittsburgh and beyond. Shannon is also co-founder of The Creativity Project, releasing monthly guides to support lifelong creativity at home and at school.