Visual Arts
The benefits of students' engagement in the visual arts are myriad. From strengthened critical-thinking skills and expanded creativity, to one's willingness to take creative risks, the art studio and darkroom are important spaces for learning at Durham Academy.
Preschool Visual Arts
For our Preschool artists, the process of visual creativity is more important than the final product. Art class — which Preschoolers attend twice each week — reinforces students’ creative abilities by providing opportunities for visual self-expression. The visual arts enhance the creative processes through skill development. The Preschool art curriculum introduces a variety of media for exploration, including drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, clay and sculpture.
Collaborative Chihuly-inspired chandeliers, handmade "Chia pets" and Día de los Muertos-inspired calaveras are among the projects Durham Academy's youngest artists have recently created.
In addition to students' explorations of art during the school day, some students spend extra time flexing their creative muscles in After-School Enrichment classes.
Lower School Visual Arts
In Lower School art class — which students attend twice within each eight-day rotation — students learn a balance of art history and elements of art. Creative projects are often integrated with students’ classroom curriculum, other Enrichment classes or tied into the vibrant arts community of the Triangle.
In addition to students' explorations of art during the school day, some students choose to spend more time creating art through After-School Enrichment classes, such as Awesome Artists, The Picture Book Club and Afternoon Cartoons.
Middle School Visual Arts
Explorations
Visual Art is one of the six trimester-long courses that all fifth- and sixth-graders participate in as part of the Explorations component of the Middle School curriculum. In this course, Middle Schoolers study the elements of art and principles of design, including a look at how other artists use these concepts in their art. Assignments are designed to encourage creative thinking and experimentation with a variety of media.
Electives
Through the Electives component of the Middle School curriculum, seventh- and eighth-graders may choose to take a deeper dive into visual art through a yearlong course. Students are encouraged to investigate and practice art concepts and techniques used to create art objects through an expanded range of materials. Students are guided to examine and respond to the work of historical and contemporary artists in order to inspire ideas and gain new perspectives around the purpose and process of art-making.
Upper School Visual Arts
Students with varying levels of fine art experience — from those who are interested in trying something new and flexing their creative muscles, to those who are interested in pursuing art as a career — will find challenge and inspiration in the Upper School's fine arts courses.
Our visual arts offerings include courses in two-dimensional art, ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, photography and digital art. Our art students have had their work exhibited at the N.C. Museum of Art, the Nasher Museum of Art, Congressional Art Offices, Durham Veterans Administration Hospital and Gold Key Art Locales as part of special student exhibitions.
