Visual Arts

We ask students to see themselves as artists and use their experiences and imagination to cultivate their personal and collective voices.

The Visual Arts Department is composed of a group of artist-teachers who support the development of the whole child as a visual, global citizen by focusing on big ideas and inspiring a spirit of service. Each division supports student-artists’ growth by using techniques and tools from contemporary practices, design thinking, global perspectives and social justice initiatives.

Our curriculum creates opportunities for student-artists to confidently envision, engage and persist in their creative practices. As artist-teachers, we strive to provide project objectives that invite a diversity of student voices and ask learners to creatively ideate, revise and reflect on their successes and failures. Students engage in constructive critique to practice giving and receiving feedback as part of one’s artistic practice. Outside of our classrooms, we display student work in all divisional spaces in addition to carefully curated professional exhibitions in our John Almquist Gallery.

The John Almquist Art Gallery

Named after beloved art teacher John Almquist, the gallery is features numerous exhibits throughout the year showcasing student, faculty, alumni and invited guest artists.

Our Visual Arts Curriculum

Lower School

The lower school visual arts program focuses on developing students’ creative confidence, critical thinking and global awareness. Students explore the artistic process through drawing, painting, printmaking, digital tools and sculpture. In addition to their studio work, students are introduced to a diverse range of story books and contemporary artworks to broaden their artistic perspectives. The arts curriculum is frequently integrated with classroom topics to deepen student engagement with core curriculum.

Middle School

The visual arts program is designed to balance exploration and skill development. Over the course of their middle school career, students will engage in complex, multi-step projects that develop foundational artistic techniques while building organizational and time-management skills. Inspired by artists from around the globe, students will gain a better understanding of art’s function within society while gaining experience using a variety of media. With a strong focus on drawing, painting and design, students will leave the middle school with a skill set that prepares them for the options that lie ahead in the upper school curriculum.

Upper School

The upper school visual art program promotes open-mindedness, global thought and personal creative actions. Student-artists experience art through many lenses: hands-on practice, historical inquiry, group critique, museum trips and visiting artist connections. We value the process of creating art and developing technical skills in the upper school curriculum, rather than the visual product.

Studio experiences include the disciplines and media of ceramics, drawing, new media, painting, darkroom and digital photography, printmaking and sculpture. Student-artists have access to a darkroom, ceramics lab, 2-D and 3-D studios, and digital media equipment. Both introductory and advanced level courses are offered. Experienced student-artists and individuals preparing for visual studies at the college level may design an independent study or pursue Advanced Placement Studio Art. Collectively, the visual art courses provide a framework for students to learn and grow, to be inspired to observe, synthesize, generate and appreciate art.