Visual Arts

Click Here For Student Art Gallery

Students involved in the art program begin working with foundational skills that carry over into higher level classes.  This includes understanding and exercising the elements and principles of art and the various media we have to offer.  We have open discussions about discovering new ways of communication, and expression.  In the higher level classes students are viewing art as a chance to reach out and connect the dots between life and art.  Art becomes more than a hobby, more than something that matches the drapes or couch; it becomes a tool for the human to contribute their own experiences and opinions to our ever changing culture.  Students are making pieces significant to now. 
Art becomes an ART FORM.
The same way a poet manipulates words to create an experience, a message; artists manipulate various visual imagery for the viewer to engage, but only if the viewer chooses to engage in this visual language.  Consideration of technical and formal issues helps students point towards an overriding concept.

Although we participate in the TAPPS competitions, that is not our reason for making art.  As the saying goes, “teaching to the test” we won’t “create for the competition”.  However, competitions are a challenge for upper school students to participate and strive for success.  Recently we hosted the TAPPS 3A District 3 competition where we received 2nd place overall and among the highlights was Denice Bruner receiving 1st place on her Senior Portfolio.