Art
Transitional Kindergarten Art
In TK Art Class, students develop their creativity and learn to express their emotions through what they create. Students will also use Art to develop fine motor skills, focus, and confidence. Students will draw, paint, sculpt, and photograph to engage their sense of touch and sight and help develop hand-eye coordination. Throughout the year, they work on various art projects including seasonal and holiday Art, Native American Heritage Month, African American History Month, Dia de los Muertos, and many more. Towards the end of our school year, the student artwork is on display at our annual Spring Concert.
Lower School
Art for Kindergarten through 4th grade is taught once a week and aims to meet students at their current level and help their skills grow. Our goals often overlap grade-level coursework, and we enjoy using various mediums. Throughout lower school visual arts classes, there is a focus on the elements of art including line, shape, color, value, texture, form, and space. Students also learn about the principles of design including contrast, balance, emphasis, unity, pattern, movement, and rhythm through various projects. These projects prepare students for a more in-depth study at the upper school level.
Middle School
Middle School visual art is an exploration of mediums and techniques. Students are introduced to media including pastels, watercolor, acrylic, and clay while creating projects designed to
improve technique and build confidence. Students learn about classical and contemporary artists and movements, with projects often drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists throughout history.
Upper School: Art I
Art I is a foundational introduction to two-dimensional design and figure studies. It includes an overview of art world institutions and their relevance to understanding the artist’s role in the world today; the relationship between art history, art theory, and studio practice; and the development of a cohesive portfolio using practice and critique. Students are encouraged to conceive and articulate ideas for their own creative work. They are introduced to major movements and themes in traditional and contemporary arts. Art I provides students with an operative understanding of the elements and principles of art and design while demonstrating the presence and importance of art in our daily lives as well as its value as an interdisciplinary tool.
Art II: Independent Study
This course is an intensive independent study class in which students will create a body of work with a consistent theme of their choice. Students must write a proposal for their theme and an idea of what mediums they want to explore. Students will sketch out their ideas and use the creative process to complete their artwork. The portfolio must have 6-10 pieces of artwork by the end of the year. This course is designed to allow students more freedom to decide their medium and subject matter while employing their understanding of the elements and principles of designed learned in Art I. Students are encouraged to use other artists to gain inspiration for their own work.
Maybelle “Pete” Winborne Rickard Art Gallery
On January 17th, 2024, we unveiled our transformed AV room as the new Maybelle “Pete” Winborne Rickard Art Gallery. Named in honor of local artist and great-grandmother of Aidan, Charlie, and Davis Blackmon, the gallery provides a space for students to display their work throughout the year with rotating exhibits. The gallery hosts several exhibits during the year where students in all grades are represented and have opportunities to display their work.
With the addition of a stage, the space also allows for small performances and recitals. In its first year, small musical and theatrical performances, poetry readings, and other class projects have already made their way to the gallery stage. The gallery remains a meeting space on campus allowing it to function in so many ways that give countless opportunities for members of the school community to see the art on display.
As part of the school’s goal to develop the fine arts program, we look forward to seeing all the artwork in the future. We hope this space provides an opportunity for students to discover their inner artists and be inspired to become artists themselves.
Please take a moment when you are on campus to stop by to see the gallery and the amazing work by our students.