Elementary School Visual Arts
In Elementary School (ES) students begin to develop foundational skills in the visual arts. Students are given ample opportunity to experiment with many different media including paper, painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking. They begin to study the Elements (lines, colors, shapes, form, texture) and Principles of Design (balance, rhythm, pattern, unity, emphasis, contrast). Students also study the famous masters in the arts from around the world. We encourage critical thinking skills through self-reflection, problem-solving, critique, analysis and self/peer evaluation.
Gr. 4 Rain forest drawing
Tanya (PK4A) Animal Painting
Middle School Visual Arts
Middle School (MS) Visual Arts allows each student to experience art from different times and places. Students use the work of historical and contemporary artists as an inspiration and beginning point to creating their own art. The course gives students the chance to build artistic skills by experimenting with a variety of media (clay, paint, printmaking, oil pastel and colored pencil) and technology.
Grade 8 Art students have the opportunity to take classes in the High School Art Studio. This exposure to the upper levels assists students in becoming responsible with more sophisticated materials and helps with their adjustment to high school level expectations. Students explore watercolor, acrylic paint, oil pastel, printmaking, collage, and graphite techniques in additional to learning about Art History. Students create from observation, imagination and literary inspiration, as well as participate in critique and reflective processes.
"Under the Sea" watercolor painting by Stamp Gr. 8
EARCOS Triannual Journal Gallery work by Yu-Hao Liu Gr.7
High School Visual Arts Program
Studio Classes
The High School Visual Arts program welcomes all students to its studio environment who wish to explore their creativity while learning artistic skills. In the HS studio, students learn about current trends as well as Art History through a variety of classes following a continuum-based curriculum going from Art 1 to AP Studio Art. Students develop watercolor, acrylic painting, oil pastel, collage, printmaking, powdered medium, sculpture and drawing techniques including the usage of Prismacolor. Additionally, students find their artistic voice while exploring their ideas and applying the elements and principles of art. To further assist our students in becoming better artists, communicators and English speakers, students participate in reflective processes, create sketchbook essays and participate in critiques.
Throughout the year students have opportunities to attend workshops given by off campus visitors and enter into competitions to promote risk-taking and to build confidence. Students have their creations highlighted through campus displays and social media. These hands on classes provide opportunities for critical thinking and problem solving while also promoting a refined development of fine motor skills, which are becoming increasingly important in our digital age.
Perspective based self-portrait by Ratthamnoon Prakitpong
Advanced Art Jim Dine inspired composition by Phoebe Chang
Graphic Design and Digital Arts
Students who wish to create digitally, are encouraged to take Graphic Design & Digital Arts. In class, students learn Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop programs. In Illustrator, students learn tools and processes to create original patterns. They also experiment with simple drawing, typography manipulation, as well as digitally create and then physically render design prototypes. To create authentic design scenarios, students create items for a charity, run a fundraising campaign and participate in design competitions. As students learn Adobe Photoshop they discover how to manipulate original photos based on artistic themes while exploring ways to visually express themselves. Students have opportunities to create several small hands on projects. Students learn how to masterfully apply the elements and principles of art while taking artistic risks. Students will not only enhance their visual communication but also further their language abilities through research essays on current designers and digital artists as well as participate in a reflective process. Our Graphic Design & Digital Arts class is offered in the Mac Lab.
