Visual Arts

The Blue Ridge School’s visual arts curriculum encompasses all four disciplines of the art world—aesthetics, art production, art history, and art criticism. This gives boys a holistic perspective of the arts, whether they intend to pursue an artistic career or become a patron of the arts as an adult. If they do intend to pursue a career, our Arts faculty will work with them to develop a professional portfolio they can add to and use to get into art schools or obtain professional work. In addition to our classes, there is an annual student art show each spring and student art is displayed throughout the year.

Classes include:

• Studio Art. In this class, boys learn the elements of design, form, texture, value, and color as they are guided in developing their drawing, watercolor, and painting skills.
• Advanced Art. With Studio Art as the prerequisite, students deepen their skills and artistic perception in the areas of drawing, watercolor, and painting.
• Ceramics. This class offers boys an introduction to hand building and wheel throwing ceramics. Students will produce several pieces over the course of a trimester and may repeat the class as often as they’d like to deepen their skills.
• Computer Art. After learning the basics of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, students can apply those skills to creating computer-generated works. For those interested in graphic design and commercial art, this class is a must.
• Independent Portfolio Development. Designed for juniors and seniors who wish to explore visual arts in college and beyond, this course helps boys curate their best work and display in ways that attract attention. The ultimate goal of the class is to develop a body of work that is expressive, diverse, and unique, showing both the skill and individual voice of each student’s artistic endeavors.