Visual Arts

Our visual arts program develops our students’ talents and abilities at all levels. While they learn the fundamentals of art, explore the principles of design, and study the history of art, our visual artists learn to express themselves creatively.

When they’re not in the studio, our student artists access local museums, attend lectures by visiting artists, and tour exhibits in the Hance Family Gallery.

Stacy UtleyUpper School Art Teacher

I've noticed that art at Country Day is not confined to the work our students make in the studios. You see it around campus in the murals and artwork of teachers, and in the framed works of notable artists. Art is in our library, cafeteria, gathering spaces, and green spaces. The pieces are as diverse as art can be and they are interwoven into every aspect of this campus. You can't help but notice and appreciate it.”

Visual Arts in all Divisions

Lower School

Thinking creatively and having artistic perspective drives the experiences of our youngest artists in the studio. The Lower School art curriculum fosters curiosity about materials and process while providing a strong foundation in visual literacy. Our Lower School art teachers teach visual-thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Students are encouraged to develop their own artistic voice using a variety of materials such as oil pastels, paint, clay, and fibers, providing a creative outlet that is both joyful and challenging.

Middle School

Our Middle School visual arts program is centered on the development and discovery of each student's artistic abilities within a variety of mediums. Art design principles are introduced, and design elements and principles are applied. Art history and art criticism are utilized as tools for learning and appreciating former and present day cultures within the U.S. and throughout the world.

Read more about how art is used as a basis for creative thinking, problem solving, and decision-making.

Upper School

Upper School visual arts students cultivate an appreciation of the arts through classes that include drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media; 3-D design including traditional black and white photography, digital photography, computer graphics, animation, and film making; and exploration of sculpture through the mediums of clay, plaster, wood, glass, metal, and mixed media.

A variety of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) art classes are also offered. Student works are entered in the National Scholastic Competition, the National Congressional Arts Competition, and the Matthews Art Fest Competition. In addition, students exhibit their works in local art galleries.

In This Section

Ceramics/3-D Studio

Our Ceramics/3-D Studio housed in the Hance Fine Arts Center provides ample space and tools for our students to create three dimensional art in glass, clay, wood, metal, and mixed mediums.

Notable Achievements

Student artwork is routinely entered in various local and regional art competitions and exhibited throughout the community and school on an ongoing basis.

Congressional Arts Awards
Mint Museum Sculpture Exhibition
Regional Scholastics Art Awards
Rube Goldberg Competition
Scholastic National Awards