Visual Arts
Most students will not grow up to pursue a career in the arts, but all students will grow up to be citizens of the world, and the arts help students to develop thinking routines and the ability to solve problems. The arts make thinking visible. Thinking routines used in the art room guide students through a thought process that encourages active engagement of ideas and the imagination. - Robin Russell, Fine Arts Teacher
Students learn foundational skills in drawing, painting, ceramics, and other media and will use these to generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. Students gain confidence in visual critiques and a deeper knowledge of art history and artistic theories. They are challenged to engage in visual thinking activities and conversations about art, meaning, and why we make art.
Classes offered
All freshmen take Freshman Art, an introductory half-year course to help build a foundation in visual and cultural literacy. Freshmen can also take a full year of Foundations of Studio Art. Classes such as Global Art and History, Arts Exploration, Ceramics, AP Art and Design, AP Art History are offered with departmental approval. Some classes have the opportunity to build a portfolio and undertake further exploratory work.
Student Work
Comic Book art work by Felipe Singer '22 in the Arts Exploration class.
The Prep ceramics class was asked to create their own setting of food. They used a combination of techniques and stoneware clay to "Fool the Eye." Trompe L'oeil is an art technique involving extremely realistic imagery in order to create the optical illusion that the depicted objects appear in three dimensions.
