The highly acclaimed Visual Arts program at Mount Pisgah focuses on developing the personal artistic process of each student, regardless of prior experience, age, or skill level.
For many students, Visual Art is a way of exploring and understanding their inner world and bringing it to light in a safe and supportive environment.
Whether through paint or pencil, clay or photography, our Visual Art program allows students to make their mark.
Our Lower School artists enjoy hands-on experimentation and expressive exploration in art class as part of the co-curricular program. Students learn new techniques and are introduced to key artists and their works. Each year the Lower School Art Show gives families and friends a glimpse of the amazing work students have completed throughout the year. Make sure to stop by the Principal’s Gallery to see the latest highlights from our students.
Middle School Visual Arts electives are designed to broaden students’ perspectives on artistic possibilities and applications. Each grade level in the Middle has a chance to explore painting, ceramics, textiles, printmaking, photography, and more.
As students move into the Upper School, the Visual Art program begins to layer in more advanced techniques and encourages students to deepen their understanding of and commitment to their own particular artistic voice. The program results in media mastery, reflected in original, high-quality works.
In the Upper School, Visual Art students who wish to continue their commitment to the program may apply to join the Mount Pisgah chapter of the National Art Honor Society.
Upper School COURSES OFFERED
| ADVANCED DIGITAL IMAGING |
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This advanced-level digital course introduces students to the principles of design and explores basic graphic design techniques. Students learn layout design and typography manipulation, and are introduced to Microsoft Publisher and Adobe Photoshop. |
| ADVANCED STUDIO ART |
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Advanced Studio Art is an advanced-level drawing course with an emphasis on developing a greater understanding of art and the application of design principles in a variety of media. This course reinforces drawing and critical analysis skills for responding to master drawings of different historical styles and periods. Students will examine solutions to drawing problems through student drawings and those of other artists. |
| AP ART AND DESIGN |
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The AP Art and Design course is a year-long course designed to prepare and guide students through the art-making process of creating an AP Art and Design Portfolio. Students are expected to conduct an in-depth, sustained investigation of materials, processes, and ideas. AP Art and Design students develop and apply skills of inquiry and investigation, practice, experimentation, revision, communication, and reflection. |
| DIGITAL ART PORTFOLIO |
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This upper-level course is for students who wish to develop their digital art portfolios. Students will develop works for their portfolios using prompts to generate ideas. Students will utilize multiple software programs to aid their artistic development and will work independently to conduct research, develop sketches, and generate ideas for artwork using visual journaling to express their ideas. |
| DIGITAL DESIGN FUSION: 3D ANIMATION AND ENGINEERING INNOVATIONS |
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In this course, students will focus on 3D design elements through animation (illusion of movement in visual environments) and engineering. Students will mix multiple media types to explore advanced animation and create solutions to problems that are identified by students. After generating prototypes using software, students will use 3D printers to test ideas. They will also use programmable robots and stop-motion photography in this course. |
| INDEPENDENT STUDIO ART PORTFOLIO |
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This semester-long class is intended for students who have completed Art I - IV and are interested in further developing their art portfolio. Students will work with the instructor to develop personally meaningful artworks that synthesize materials, processes, and ideas. Independent study students develop and apply skills of inquiry and investigation, practice, experimentation, revision, communication, and reflection. |
| INTERMEDIATE STUDIO ART |
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Intermediate Studio Art is a semester-long intermediate drawing course designed to enhance basic drawing skills and techniques and provides further exploration of drawing media. Students will apply design principles to their work in a variety of media. Studio experiences include drawing, mixed media, and printmaking projects. |
| INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL IMAGING |
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This semester-long course will explore the history of American photography and introduces students to the principles of photography. Students will learn to edit images using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. Students will need a computer able to run Adobe Photoshop. No pre-requisite is required. |
| INTRODUCTION TO STUDIO ART |
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Intro to Studio Art is a semester-long introductory-level course exploring foundational skills & creative thinking using various media and techniques including drawing, painting, mixed media, and sculptural techniques. This course introduces students to the language of art and while developing their skills, techniques, and creative problem-solving. |
| STUDIO ART PORTFOLIO |
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Studio Art Portfolio is an advanced-level drawing and painting course that explores painting techniques and offers opportunities to apply the techniques in a variety of media. The course will examine solutions to painting problems through the study of color theory and composition. |