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For our Early Childhood Program students, creative projects are a mainstay of their curriculum and you'll often see smocked children painting their Thanksgiving turkey or using a straw to blow paint "Thing One's" blue hair. In the Lower School, students are introduced to the elements of art and principles of design during weekly art classes. Students learn how to use a variety of media including tempera, colored pencils, pastels, watercolor, and three-dimensional materials such as clay, fiber, paper, plaster, and more. At each grade level, the curriculum is designed to explore art history, environmental sciences, cross-curricular interests, and visual storytelling. 
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Once a student reaches the seventh grade, the curriculum broadens to explore a larger range of art history and contemporary artists, as well as world topics such as environmentalism, art for social justice, and self-expression. Students are engaged in art class daily to allow for longer and more involved artistic expressions. A goal of the art room at the Middle School level is to encourage a wide variety of ideas and celebrate unique solutions to many problems, both in and out of the traditional classroom mentality. Students explore a variety of mediums and applications, and practice techniques for each. Students showcase their concepts and artworks in our end of the year art show which includes artwork from all studio and graphic design classes from grades 7-12.

studio art

Studio Art courses include:

• Introduction to Studio Art
• Intermediate Studio Art 
• Advanced Studio Art
• Portfolio
• AP Studio Art: 2D Art & Design, Drawing, and 3D Art & Design
• Rotating semester electives such as Art History, Curating, Contemporary Art, Ceramics, Sustainable Studio, and Interdisciplinary Studio

graphic design & photography

Introduction to Graphic Design

• A fusion between technical skill and artistic mastery
  
• Focus on the components of effective illustration and design while creating projects ranging from pop culture graphics, typography portraits, and personalized logos, advertisements, and brochures. Students will establish a strong foundation both in conceptual design and in design software such as the Adobe Illustrator.

Intermediate Graphic Design

• Expanded proficiency in all aspects of the design process, including the use of formal design principles, type as image, creative brainstorming, conceptualizing, critical thinking, collaboration, and presentation.
  
• Delves into advanced print design, and students create projects such as menus, posters, and designs for school events.
  
• Students examine graphic design as a component of society, culture and general history, as well as studying various influential designers.

Advanced Graphic Design

• Projects in this course continue thematically, with individuals having more freedom in choosing programs and ideas. 
  
• Integrates design principles and software, typography, digital illustration, digital imaging, page layout, and prepress techniques with emphasis on the design process from visualization to production. 
  
• Students are responsible for the design and production of a fully integrated campaign consisting of major projects including several components across multiple media forms, as well as some real-life commissions. 
  
• Individual and collaborative work in creating multimedia video. 
  
• The teacher supports the students in expanding technical skill and encouraging creativity, introducing new media and formats, such as environmental and exhibit design and video editing and production.

Photography

• This course introduces students to the art and practice of photography, both as a technical skill and a creative outlet.  
  
• Students will explore fundamental photographic concepts such as composition, lighting, exposure, and editing. 
  
• Emphasis will be placed on developing a personal artistic vision, learning to critique visual work constructively, and understanding photography’s role in visual storytelling. 
  
• Students will also participate in taking photos and editing photos for yearbook and journalism classes. 
  
• Students will complete a final portfolio of work that demonstrates growth and technical proficiency.

​Amy Jackson
Upper School Studio Art
Wake Forest University—B.A.
Virginia Commonwealth University—M.A.E. 
Appointed 2004

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Kendra Wert
Lower & Middle School Studio Art
Bowling Green State University-- B.F.A.
Appointed 2021

Morgan Kemp
Upper School Graphic Design & Yearbook
University of Lynchburg—B.A.
Appointed 2025

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SLACK HALL: Art Studios

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WILLIS HALL: Upper School Graphic Design Lab

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Equipment & Tools:

• Full range of drawing, painting, and sculpture materials
• Printing press
• Five potter's wheels
• Kiln
• Extruder
• Slab roller
• Pug mill
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Digital drawing equipment 
• Scanner
• Laser and ink-jet printers
• Large format printer
• Photo printer
• Variety of DSLR cameras