Visual Arts and Ceramics

Art is an important component to the Preschool daily curriculum as it allows each child to develop their imagination and creativity, as well as provide a means of expression. Students participate in unstructured art through classroom art/writing centers and a daily planned art activity. The focus is on process driven art to help students develop the ability to plan and create a piece of art they are engaged in and proud of.

Lessons in the elements and principals of art are taught in dedicated art labs for students in Lower School and Middle School to actively participate in projects through a variety of media. Artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, and aesthetic valuing are reinforced and students are encouraged to find their own voice in art. Art history is an integral aspect of the curriculum and offers students the chance to “learn from the masters.” Through this study students grasp the artistic process and will replicate various artistic styles to aide them in developing and understanding their own aesthetic.

A variety of media are explored including painting, drawing, photography, digital art, and ceramics. St. Mary's is home to its own ceramics kiln giving students the opportunity to build hand-made clay projects, fire, and glaze them in-house, creating finished projects from scratch.