The Art Program at Advent
Students Head to Our Art Studios Every Week
Art classes in elementary and middle school play a crucial role in the development of young students, offering more than just creative expression. They foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and fine motor skills that are essential across all academic subjects. Through hands-on activities like drawing, painting, and sculpting, children learn to observe, analyze, and communicate ideas visually, enriching their understanding of the world around them.
JPK learned to tear paper in different colors to make a sunset over the water. It wasn't easy at first, but they are pros at tearing paper now.
First, they tore and glued the blue for the water. Second, they tore the yellow paper, then glued in a semicircle for the sun setting and then the other colors for the beautiful sky- orange, then red, then purple!
You can see the improvement in tearing from first to last colors.
Art also enhances emotional intelligence, providing a safe space for students to explore their feelings and build confidence. It encourages perseverance, as students learn that mistakes are part of the creative process and lead to growth. Collaboration in art projects promotes teamwork and respect for different perspectives, laying the foundation for strong interpersonal skills. Additionally, art can act as an academic equalizer, allowing students of varying learning styles and abilities to excel in a less structured, more open-ended environment.
Kindergarten learned a little on Wassily Kandinsky's style of art -abstract/surrealism & his use of shapes. They had to share with table mates. They traced 3 different sized cups on 6 different colored paper pieces. They cut all 18 circles and then stacked the 6 large circles with a medium and small, with no similar color within the stack. They glued and used them as "leaves". Students cut long black triangles (by starting at one bottom corner, diagonally to the opposite top corner) for the trunk and limbs. Grass at the bottom was cut the same way.
We are thankful we have two expert art teachers at Advent. Jennifer Gibson teaches art to JPK through grade 3, and Mollie Everitt teaches art to grade 4 through grade 8. Together, they provide our students with a rich and diverse fine arts education.
4th grade students practiced pencil drawing skills, using curving lines and value shading to create a ribbon design.
6th graders practiced observational drawing skills. The task was to represent their own shoe with correct proportions, details and value shading.
Students in 7th grade created a layered drawing of an opening in a wall. They worked with chalk pastels to create a colorful galaxy scene that is glimpsed through the a opening in a wall. If you look closely at Annie's creation you'll find the galaxy is reflected in a large eye peeking through her wall opening - a creative presentation of the project requirements!
8th grade students learned about a contemporary American artist named Jen Stark who creates intricate colorful paintings that include many line patterns. Student used tempera paints to create their own artwork in her style.
