Visual Arts

The art curriculum adheres to the tenets of Discipline Based Art Education, which  has four components: Art History, Art Criticism, Aesthetics and Practice. Students learn about each of these components as they produce their own art using various media and techniques. These include drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, assemblage, collage, sculpture, photography in grade 4, architecture, weaving, sewing, and puppetry. Sketchbooks are created annually and kept in the art room for the duration of the year as a tool for planning larger artworks and recording visual data. Field trips and computer technology often enhance the curriculum. As famous artists and their works are studied, students have the opportunity to create art in the styles of these artists and reflect upon these styles and media. Art projects are often connected with the topics the students study in their other courses, and the art projects enrich those experiences. Each student’s creativity reveals itself in the production of original artworks. We strive to reserve time and energy for assessment and reflection. Ever student is an innovator and creative artist as well as a student of art history. 

Kindergarten

Elements of art are introduced in Kindergarten with a focus on line, color, and texture in both two dimensional and three-dimensional projects. The Art History timeline begins with cave paintings with stops in ancient Mexico for ceramics, the Middle Ages for mosaics, the Renaissance for stained glass, and painting and drawing in the Modern Era. 

First Grade

Color relationships are formalized with the color wheel; primary and secondary colors as well as warm and cool colors are discovered. Line, value, shape, and pattern are identified and integrated into projects. The Art History timeline includes nature paintings inspired by Henri Rousseau, assemblage sculpture, and coiled pottery.

Second Grade

Shape and form are added to line, color, value and texture in the identification of the elements of art; observations of nature and the environment include still life drawing and weather painting. The Art History timeline stops in a primal rainforest where birds and animals inhabit original landscapes. Impressionism, Cubism, and Realism are identified as modern art styles through the study of Monet, Picasso, and Homer.

Third Grade

Line, color, value, texture, shape, and form are explored more deeply. The concept and practice of space in two-dimensional and three-dimensional  projects is introduced along with the principles of design of balance and emphasis. Projects include the building of medieval castles, African textile weavings, and self-portraits.

Fourth Grade

Asymmetrical and radial balance, complex patterns, proportion and movement are implemented as principles of design in two and three-dimensional projects. One-point perspective is introduced as well as digital photography. Some project themes covered are visual symbols and contour drawing. The Art History timeline sweeps through ancient Mayan and Incan culture with a special mask-making project, and into the twentieth century with wire mobiles inspired by Alexander Calder.

Middle school art focuses on skills development, building confidence and increasing imagination through a series of projects. Students explore various media, two dimensional design, and three dimensional sculpture.

Art 5

The focus of 5th grade art will be two dimensional art. We will look at art from around the world and throughout history. We will discuss movements in art and cultural differences and similarities. Students will draw, paint, print and work with the elements of art and principles of design.

Art 6

Emphasis: Three dimensional design.  Students will study clay forms from various countries, time periods, and styles. They will create a ceramic vessel reflecting a culture. One specific culture we investigate is the Mimbres tribe which was located in New Mexico between 200 - 1200 c.e. Students design and build an object for a specific client. In the past they have designed chairs for a small stuffed animal. Imagination will be emphasized while learning some of the principles of sculpture and construction. A final project is to design and build houses inspired by Southeast Asian Spirit Houses.  Possible materials to be used during this trimester: clay, cardboard, boxes, packing materials, foam core, paper, fabric, mosaics, plaster, paper mache, wire mesh, plaster cast.

Art 7

Each student studies an animal of her choice through a variety of media including graphite drawing, watercolor, pastel and Totems inspired by the Pacific Northwest Native American totems.  Each student is directed to capture the gesture, proportions, textures, and colors of her chosen animal. Girls use iPads and books to find visual resources from which to study. The skills that are developed in seventh grade include drawing from observation, research, painting and constructing. They develop skills while using materials such as watercolor, pastel, graphite and paper mache. 

Art 8

Project 1: Large grid drawing. Students will photograph each other. They choose an image and crop it. Grid the photo and create a grid twice as large on a grey paper. Students use a range of values to create the illusion of form in a large, cropped image.

Project 2:  Linoleum print. Students create a black and white collage. This image is transferred to a linoleum block and carved. An edition of 3 prints will be completed and signed.

Project 3: Group project responding to a need at Stuart.  This project will be designed by the students and supervised by Ms. Wright.  It could be an outdoor sculpture, earth art reflecting the impermanence of all, or something installed inside Stuart as an interactive work of art.

In Upper School Art, students develop skills and work toward a personal voice through projects in a wide variety of media. Art history is included in every class as it relates to specific projects. After taking Foundations of Art, students may choose to take trimesters in studio (drawing, painting, and printmaking), in ceramics workshop, or in photography. These trimester courses are prerequisites for the year-long Advanced Studio, AP Studio and Honors Photography.

Full Year Courses

ADVANCED STUDIO

Open to grades 10-12. Prerequisites: Studio Art and Art and Design, One Studio art, or permission of the instructor.

This is a yearlong class focused on building skills and a portfolio for college admission.  Much emphasis will be placed on skill building and reinforcing fundamental skills as well as on moving students to use art to communicate their ideas directly.  Some art history research and presentations will enhance the understanding of art in a cultural and historical context. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART

Open to grades 11-12. Prerequisites: Art and Design, Studio, Advanced Studio, and signature of Fine Arts Department chair.

Students will utilize the mastery gained in previous classes to build a body of work reflective of their interests, with the guidance of the instructor.  Further explorations will be done in drawing, painting, color, and design.  This is an extremely rigorous course that demands consistent outside work and a clear vision as a concentration statement.  Students will submit their work to the AP board in the spring. 

Trimester Courses

CLAY WORKSHOP

Open to grades 9-12. No prerequisite.

Students create artifacts representing imaginary cultures, inspired in part by history. Students take a field trip to the Princeton University Art Museum for inspiration. Students design and build artifacts to describe and define their cultures. A final presentation includes a research paper, drawings, photographs, and objects displayed as a museum collection

CLAY II

Open to grades 9-12. Clay Workshop; Recommended Art and Design

This course will focus on techniques and the mastery of the wheel, terms, vocabulary, and understanding the history of ceramics and cultural influences. Students will study the development of ceramics as an art form. Visiting ceramic artists will enhance the program by sharing their work and best practices.

ART AND DESIGN

Open to grades 9-12. This course is a prerequisite course for all studio classes. 

No prior art knowledge or experience is needed.  In this course, students will learn the basics of drawing. This class will explore the fundamentals of image making in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art.  The following elements of art are explored: line, value, shape and form, texture, and color.  Emphasis is placed on skill building, and individual expression is encouraged.  

STUDIO: DRAWING, PAINTING, AND PRINTMAKING 

Open to grades 9-12.  Prerequisite: Art and Design. 

Students will experiment with materials through drawing, painting, and printmaking. Art History and personal interests are strongly emphasized in this student-centered course.  The basics are strengthened, and imagination is encouraged.  Some art history research and presentations enhance the understanding of art in a cultural and historical context. 

STUDIO: ALL ABOUT COLOR

Open to grades 9-12. Prerequisite: Art and Design. 

Students study color through a series of 2-dimensional projects. The impact of color in works of art will be discussed as well as the myriad ways artists, artisans, and designers use color in various cultures. Students will research artists and art movements as inspiration for their own works of art.  Some art history research and presentations enhance the understanding of art in a cultural and historical context.  

STUDIO: MIXED MEDIA

Open to grades 9-12. Prerequisite: Art and Design.

Students study art through various medium including collage, print making, and digital reworking of original designs. An emphasis on contemporary art, and the relationship that students develop through this dialogue will be a strong influence on the projects pursued. A view on art through world cultures is also emphasized throughout the course.