How do you find your voice?

The journey through the visual arts at STAB begins in pre-school where the thrill of explorations and self-discovery through the manipulation of media are a fundamental part of a child's day. The Art Print program, which introduces students to visual literacy through art prints and artists, is also part of a pre-school through fourth grade student's experience in the visual arts.

The Lower School is known for the group and community art that enlivens the building and continues to engage and teach the students and adults over the years. In visual art, integrated teaching themes that connect to classroom studies in history, science, language arts and math build a greater understanding of connectedness of disciplines, as well as how cultures speak across time and space. Kindergarten through fourth grade students are taught by an art specialist who introduces the language of art and helps students develop skills in seeing, exploring, interpreting and expressing their world through a variety of two and three-dimensional media. The Art Print program is presented in the homeroom by parent volunteers. Skills that are essential to drawing, painting, printing, clay and mixed media are explored throughout a child's Lower School art education.

Middle School students consider some of the fundamental questions inherent in making art. What is the creative process? What is the big idea behind different styles of art and particular artists? What is the big idea behind my own work? How can I consciously use the elements and principles of design and art to create my own artwork and look at other artwork? Fifth and sixth grade students take a required to take a trimester of art that meets two times a week, while seventh and eighth graders may elect a grouping of three trimester courses that include Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, 2-D Art, 3-D Art, Mixed Media Art and "Art Minor."

Upper School students engage in the creative process as they learn to do more disciplined and independent work while developing their own personal voice through art. Ninth through twelfth graders may elect trimester and yearlong classes that include three levels of Studio Art, Ceramics, Photography and Video. Advanced students who wish to pursue a medium in depth may enroll in Continuing Studies in any of the above mediums.

Opportunities to be recognized for the visual arts are numerous and can be seen in the regular displays of student artwork throughout all the divisions, permanent student collections of art, the annual PK-12 Art Show, local and national competitions, publications like Mirabella and Digressive, High School Art Show at MCGuffey Art Center, the annual Senior Show and many more!