Middle School Visual Arts

Taught as a classic studio art class, St. Francis’ Middle School visual arts program exposes students to various media and creative processes. Students learn to implement the elements and principles of art into their work, and creativity and craftsmanship are highly emphasized. Drawing is also emphasized, and students gain disciplined artistic habits through the use of a sketchbook outside of class.

Fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade students take art classes as part of a quarterly rotation and complete three main projects. Eighth-grade students, who take art for a semester, complete a wide variety of projects that are then included in their individual retrospective art show at the end of the semester. Artworks by eighth graders and all other Middle School students are also displayed throughout the year in various places on campus.

In addition to learning technique, students gain an understanding of and appreciation for art history. Exposure to a wide variety of artists allows students to imitate and learn from what they see, which in turn fosters appreciation and execution of different artistic styles and interpretations.