Our Philosophy
We believe that all students, regardless of background, can find joy, respite, fulfillment and their voice through the visual arts. Talent is not a pre-requisite. The art teachers strive to give students a range of experiences, resources, and support as they guide students through the learning process. Within the structure of an objective or challenge, students are given the freedom to create and discover, as all art classes are very much hands-on. Expectations are high and there is significant rigor, but all students are empowered to be successful and given the tools to make work they will be proud of.
What Are The Benefits of Taking An Art Class?
Let's face it, young people today are under a lot of pressure. They are constantly being told to keep their grades up, do well on standardized tests, get their drivers' license, get a part-time job, keep up with demanding extracurricular schedules, round out their resumes with volunteer work, be active members of their school and local communities, make time for friends and family etc. With the prevalence of social media and constant awareness of world events, there can be an increased sense of overwhelm on top of everything else that young people are up against.
As Picasso has said, "art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Art offers a chance to escape, to relax, to help make sense of it all. Sculpting a ceramic vessel, doodling lines on a Zentangle with marker, swiping a bright streak of oil paint on a blank canvas, building a giant structure out of recycled materials with friends- all these experiences allow you to just let go for a little while.
This is not, of course, to say that the work done in an art class is not meaningful. Quite the opposite. In art, there are not always concrete answers, so students have to engage in a good deal of problem-solving, often returning to the literal and figurative "drawing board" several times before finding a workable solution. Additionally, new techniques and skills do not usually come easily, and hard work, dedication, and lots and lots of practice are often necessary before becoming even somewhat proficient with a particular media or process. And, perhaps most importantly, art offers people the opportunity to be the unique, wonderful individual that they are; no two art projects will every be exactly the same and that's okay. It's crucial for people to be allowed to be individuals, and for differences to be understood and accepted.
We realize that many students who take an art class will not end up concretely making visual arts a part of their job after high school. They may continue with art as a hobby, or use aesthetics or construction in some manner in their future line of work. However, the "soft skills" mentioned above: critical thinking, resilience, tenacity, self confidence and ability to work with a diverse population are vital to not only being employable, but to being a successfully-functioning adult.
So whether you're looking to chill out, try something new, improve, get to be yourself, be around new people or all of the above, why not try an art class? And if you've taken one (or many!) already, all the more reason to take another!