Approach
The visual arts department provides a supportive environment for students to expolre visual communication with curiosity, and expression. Student work enriches the visual culture of the School and prompts community engagement.
Focus
Students learn to look at visual media from formal and contextual perspectives to question why things look the way they do and how they can be reimagined or transformed. Visual Arts courses begin with foundations in fine art, design, and film, and allow further studies in these specific disciplines while various elective courses are available for students to advance and expand their visual arts education. All classes support students in developing and finding joy in creation, from the development of an idea through the presentation of finished artwork.
Experience
Students gain a strong foundation in drawing, graphic design, technical design and fabrication, or filmmaking before moving into advanced and elective offerings. Foundational courses are designed to introduce students to specific disciplines while providing technical and creative challenges for students joining courses with prior experience.
Classes are held in studio workspaces and require important process elements like research, reflection, collaboration, and feedback. Students are asked to present multiple compositions and concepts before receiving feedback, editing their plans, and refining their work. Class time includes studio work sessions with an open environment for collaboration and feedback. Critiques as an important course element where students share, discuss, and enhance the concepts and work of everyone in the class.
Successful students enter Visual Arts classes with an open mind and a willingness to engage with new tools, techniques, and processes. They will have access to state-of-the art equipment, design programs, and studio spaces to support their coursework, including a fully-equipped woodshop, metal shop, and print room, as well as access to the Hutchins Galleries. Creative spaces are available outside of class time during the academic day and students are welcome to join co-curricular or extra-curricular arts events and workshops frequently during the school year.
Visual Art Beyond the Classroom
Studios are open to students most evenings. Several student art organizations, most notably Muse (the largest and most active art club), have regular evening events and opportunities open to all students. We also offer a co-curricular program during several afternoons each term that is available to students with a demonstrated passion. Our Reach Out to the Arts program avails students to museums and other local and regional cultural events, typically on the weekends.