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Art

Philosophy

  • Art is global. Students explore art to understand the social, cultural and environmental aspects of human society. For example for National Hispanic Heritage month students make piñatas for our annual Oktoberfest picnic.
  • Our school philosophy encourages 'service'. In art class we make posters and enter art contests to help raise awareness and funds for countries dealing with natural catastrophes.

 

Co-Curricular Activities

  • In middle and high school our goal is to continue to help students cultivate and refine their talent and skills that are essential in today's art marketplace. The art department offers a four-year spiral program and after school classes allowing students extra time to work on their portfolios for college.
  • We offer an extra period or two for all students interested in art on 'Wacky Wednesdays'.
  • Art internships are available to seniors to assist with art classes and on special school wide art projects.

 

Art Curriculum

  • Students study the elements of art (color, line, shape, form, texture, perspective, size and value) and the principles of design (center of interest, balance, composition, movement and rhythm).
  • Students study art history. There is an 'artist of the month'. Students learn about the artist's life, philosophy and work. Students experience a hands-on approach in the artist's technique for a better understanding of the elements of art: MC Escher approach to line, Van Gogh's approach to color and movement, Henry Matisse's approach to shapes, and Andy Warhol approach to design.
  • The art program seeks to build students' skills in working with various disciplines: collage, paper Mache, weaving, 3-D construction, printmaking, mask making and ceramics with a focus on drawing and painting.
  • Students study portraiture, still life, landscape, cityscape (on location), Anime and non-representational art.
  • The art program works closely with the grade level classroom curriculum. Art helps students that are visual learners to understand all subjects more clearly with a direct link to language arts, geography, science and mathematical concepts such as geometric shapes and measurements.
  • Students practice cooperative learning working together on murals, school wide displays and stage sets for the two bi-annual school theatre productions.
  • We visit museums and galleries. We organize private tours of professional organizations such as set designers and architectural firms to expose students to career choices.
  • A crucial component of the art program is student exhibitions. Every student exhibits his or her work in school displays, at our mid-year event Evening of Music & Art, and at the annual students exhibition at Sotheby's organized by Councilwoman Jessica Lappin.