The tools and techniques of printmaking evolved in parallel with major changes in culture and world history. From the time of the earliest handprints and stamps, people have had the impulse to make images to help convey ideas. Through hands-on experience with different ways of making prints, students in this class will investigate the changes in knowledge and understanding that were brought about through dissemination of prints. Students follow the developments in printmaking from relief through intaglio, planographic, stencil printing, and digital processes. Projects will necessitate the students’ creation of multiple fine art prints using printing media. This course gives students a historical view of the craft while relating it to their personal aesthetic exploration. Open to all students. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Coordinate with National Cathedral School. Offered at St. Albans School.

This course introduces the fundamentals of three-dimensional art and design through the processes of fabrication and its applications in the 21st century. Students will learn by making, experimenting with a variety of materials, and applying visual problem-solving methodologies to realize projects from concept to finished product. Traditional and expanded materials of sculpture will be explored through sections that include woodshop, mold-making, life-casting, origami, model-making and prototyping, building armatures for stop animation, design science, and integration of digital technologies with the fabrication of objects. Open to all students, this course contributes one-half credit towards satisfaction of the Arts requirement.

Ceramics is a fantastic medium for designing and making hand-crafted objects such as functional pottery, sculpture, or surfaces for painting and drawing.  This course will introduce ceramics through its tactile materials and numerous building methods, glazing, and firing processes and will emphasize design and craftsmanship. Students investigate forms and translate concepts while utilizing the ceramic processes: wheel throwing, slab building, mold forming, and extruding.  Students give visual form to their ideas while they investigate how artists think creatively, problem solve, and take risks. Open to all students. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Offered at National Cathedral School.

Ceramics & Design II students will build upon form, surface design, and visual communication skills learned in Ceramics & Design 1 and will develop greater mastery of materials and techniques. They will research, design, produce systems and multiples, and experience the role of the designer/maker. Digital pattern and photographic image transfer techniques will be incorporated using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to repeat surfaces with techniques such as screen printing. Each student is encouraged to design unique forms by layering elements and incorporating new techniques. Open to all students. Prerequisite: Ceramics & Design I or Introduction to Ceramics.  Offered at National Cathedral School.

Ceramics Portfolio students will continue investigating trends in contemporary art while utilizing historic references to make unique works of art. Students will use these references to study form, function, and surface design. We will take a closer look at ceramic chemicals, glaze and slip formulation, firing temperatures, and kilns. In building a portfolio, students create more complex works with personal expression and take greater risks by experimenting with more materials and processes. Prerequisite:Ceramics & Design II or Intermediate Ceramics. Open to all students. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Offered at National Cathedral School.

Open to all students. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Offered at National Cathedral School.

This course is student-driven and project-oriented. Students are encouraged to investigate more complex concepts with an emphasis on technique, experimentation, and personal expression. Projects are designed with the individual student’s needs and goals in mind, and portfolio development is encouraged. Students may choose a personal theme/idea at the beginning of the semester and incorporate art history research into their painting practice while developing their own style. Water-based, oil, and mixed media may be explored. At the end of the semester, students may share their projects in an exhibit of their work, concurrently learning exhibition design skills in curating, mounting, and presenting artwork. Prerequisite:  successful completion of two courses in Drawing, Painting, Art & Design, and/or Studio Art. Open to all students. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Offered at National Cathedral School.

This course introduces the field of graphic design as an art of communication. Students learn about how designers communicate with their audiences through words, images, color, and compositions. Topics include elements and principles of design, the design process, typography, color, image making, layout strategies, and how to convey meaning effectively and expressively. Students work collaboratively to produce creative projects throughout the semester using the Adobe Creative Suite as well as traditional artmaking tools. Projects may include posters, book jackets, logos, and public service announcements, and others. Open to Forms IV, V, and VI. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Offered at National Cathedral School.

What if you can impact your world through art, design, innovation, and entrepreneurship? We will investigate the ways human-centered design processes (designkit.org) influence the world and explore how to make a positive impression through innovative design and critical making. Critical making requires creative discovery, hands-on practice, enhanced seeing and perception, and contextualized understanding. Build your creative confidence and awareness within the intersection of art, design, technology, and community collaboration. Making techniques may include use of 3D printers, laser cutters, Adobe Creative Suite, clay, drawing, painting, wood working, and many more possibilities. Global change does not have to be on a huge scale; consider your own environment first, and start locally. Leverage your unique skillsets, and build upon them to apply to any future endeavor. Open to Forms IV, V, and VI. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Offered at National Cathedral School.

This course emphasizes the development and understanding of the principles, materials, and techniques of painting. Students begin the semester with design-oriented and observational projects, painting with water-based media (acrylics, watercolor, gauche). Fundamentals of art and design, such as value, color, and compositional skills are integrated into each project, along with the technical concerns of paint application. At the intermediate level, students are encouraged to investigate more complex concepts, techniques, and materials with the opportunity for experimentation and personal expression in their work. Open to all students. Open to all students. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Offered at National Cathedral School.

In Photography I, students learn how to make photographs using both analog and digital technology. This course emphasizes the development of craft, observational skills, and creative expression.  Topics include the elements of art, using the camera’s manual settings, observing light, using composition strategies, and exploring depth of field and movement. During the semester, students learn about photographers throughout history and discuss each other’s work in class critiques. Students enrolled in Photography I may use their own cameras or borrow one from the department. Open to all students. Open to all students. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Offered at National Cathedral School.

Building on the technical and artistic experience of the introductory course, students experiment with different photographic materials and techniques, as well as storytelling. Students complete three or four projects during the semester. Throughout the course, students look at and discuss their own photographs, as well as the work of historical and contemporary photographers. Prerequisite: Photography I. Open to all students. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Offered at National Cathedral School.

Students continue the development of their own style by focusing on the production of a body of work. Photography Portfolio students produce two short projects as well as one extended project of their own design. The culmination of the extended project is a portfolio of at least 10 presentation-ready photographs with an artist statement. Students work independently during class time but often meet to critique the progress of their own work and the work of their peers. Throughout the course, Photography Portfolio students look at and discuss the work of historical and contemporary photographers. Prerequisite:  Photography II. Open to all students. This course contributes one-half credit toward satisfaction of the Arts requirement. Offered at National Cathedral School.

Public Art: Painting & Mosaic Murals will bring students together to collaborate and work jointly, and to build a culture of innovation and free thinking within the classroom, the school, the NCS community, and the city. Students will express their ideas, feelings, and beliefs through common projects on different topics such as diversity, co-existing religions, gender issues, and environmental and other global issues, benefiting and learning from each other’s experiences, ideas, and skills to spark conversations. A common voice is louder than an individual one and artists have always worked together on large public projects since ancient times, contributing to more just and peaceful societies. We want to foster an artroom where innovation and new ideas are born, nurtured, and thrive. Open to all students. Offered at National Cathedral School