visual arts
Art is a time exploration and wonder. The curriculum is sequential classical art training and is complemented with the opportunity to create from imagination and explore problem solving creativity. The elements of art and principles of design are incorporated throughout the course studies. Art history and art appreciation are an integral part of the studies. Students are encouraged to make choices to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. Young artists are free to express individual God-given creativity while they learn the value of perseverance during the process of creating. An underlying desire of the art department is to provide a comprehensive art program which will cultivate personal development and a sense of joy and confidence as students create and share their artwork.
Kindergarten Art is created daily as it is woven into the curriculum. Each year in May, the Kindergarten students study famous artists of the Impressionist Period. The hallways appear to be a real art museum. Young artists create individual and group pieces. The finale to this unit is the K-Art Auction when their creations are displayed. K-docents walk amidst the artwork giving background information on Impressionist artists while parents and guests mingle.
Middle School Art is an elective and builds on the foundations taught in lower school art. High School Art offers levels of training allowing students to become more self-directed. Art I, II, III, and IV/AP are course offerings where students may study drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, and graphic arts. Art Fest is an annual art exhibit for student artwork. Student artwork is also entered into various contests, exhibits, and students have even had their work published.
The visual arts are also active in outreach ministry. Every other year, art students create hundreds of ceramic bowls for Empty Bowls. These bowls are available for donations and a soup lunch is held. We are using the arts to raise awareness of hunger in Haiti and 100 percent of the funds raised will be sent to El Shaddai Ministries for their work in Haiti. Middle School artists created canvas artworks with Bible verses for Jackson Park Ministries, while high school artists painted murals at an orphanage during their mission trip to Haiti in February and June 2011.
