The art program nurtures and supports the creativity of each individual artist. It is designed to inspire a child’s natural curiosity and inventiveness by facilitating their exploration of art materials and encouraging self-reflection during the process of art-making. Through lessons grounded in artistic development, students gain experience with a variety of art materials, tools, and techniques. With an emphasis on learning through exploration and guided experimentation, children are mentored in group demonstrations and one on one instruction. The children develop increasing competency with materials and tools, build trust and confidence in their artistic vision, and experience the hard work and satisfaction that creative work can bring.

The children learn to tap into their inner lives to recall experiences, memories, and feelings for use in making art. They learn what inspires their art making, and how they work best in the studio. Through direct, hands-on experiences, the children develop an understanding of the qualities and properties unique to different art materials. While engaged in the creative process, students experiment, problem solve, develop insight and integrate new information according to their own pace and plan.

The program encourages students to develop an understanding of line, shape, form, color, texture, pattern, and composition through a variety of media, including paint, clay, paper, cardboard, fabric, wood, and found objects. Children develop the ability to represent their personal imagery through drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, sculpture, and constructions. The program aims to balance exploratory activities with more formal motivations about art learning that give voice to the children’s life experiences.

The program also emphasizes honoring each young artist’s ideas by learning how to look at and talk about art with sensitivity for the feelings of others. We teach students to value the environment by using recycled materials and treating our tools and resources with respect.

Students work in small groups in the art studio once a week for 45 to 60 minutes. Art Labs may be scheduled for a student to finish work or extend learning.