Fine Arts
Primary School Visual Arts
Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten children have opportunities to reveal
and express themselves authentically, to nurture their creative potential,
to give life to their inner world of magical thinking, to find enjoyment,
and to develop their own personal taste. First graders explore painting,
drawing, printmaking, 3-D work and clay. In Grade 2 students produce artwork that emphasizes composition and spatial concepts relating to math. Grade 3 students study color theory and are introduced to ceramics and glazing, as well as photography. Grade 4 students explore painting, drawing, clay and 2-D and 3-D construction in more depth and continue with photography. Grade 5 students study figure drawing, create self portraits and are introduced to new materials such as acrylic paint.
Middle School Visual Arts
The Middle School visual arts program introduces students to a variety of media and stresses skill building through repeated exposure to formal practices of art and design. Students are encouraged to investigate relationships and make connections with other subjects. The program also emphasizes the development and application of skills, time management, and working in cooperation with others.
Grade 6 classes focus on problem solving using specific form elements (line, color, composition). Students create 2D works and learn printmaking techniques. In Grade 7, composition is emphasized. Students work individually and as a group to develop works using graphite, oil and pastel, as well as materials found in nature. In Grade 8, the emphasis moves from 2D to 3D with the cube as a basis for study. Card, clay and plaster are used to introduce sculptural techniques and collages are created from found images.
Upper School Visual Arts
Grade 9 and Grade 10 students create 2D and 3D works and supplement their projects with research on the Internet and in art history texts and periodicals, and consideration of works by other artists. Field trips to area galleries and museums are scheduled. The students learn to interpret the meaning of artworks created by others and develop the skills and understanding to make their own visual statements.
International Baccalaureate Visual Arts
Students learn techniques in the use of a variety of media and relate art to its historical and social context. They acquire sufficient technical skills to produce works of quality and an ability to present this work appropriately.
