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Visual Arts

At Aquinas Academy, art classes nurture students' creativity and critical thinking, enliven their study of history and Catholicism, and deepen their appreciation for beauty. Students learn art techniques, build their technical skill with various medias, and broaden their understanding of history and culture.

Lower School

In Lower School art classes increase each child's ability to observe, and to be open to inspiration from the surrounding world and from inside themselves. The students learn skills that they will build upon in future lessons and years: color theory, perspective, proportion, contrast, and drawing, painting, sculpting, and printing skills. Students start to learn art history, being exposed to a variety of periods, artists, and styles.

Middle School

Middle School students build upon basic skills and techniques and are challenged to push their creativity. With their more developed abilities, they are encouraged to make more careful observations and find inspiration from the surrounding world and from inside themselves. They are allowed more creative control in projects, and are introduced to new and more advanced medias. In art history, students are tested on artists and time periods. They are also quizzed on their knowledge of techniques and terminologies.

High School

The goals for the High School Art course are: to develop age appropriate exercise so students gain experience in the use of different, more advanced artistic techniques; to familiarize students with the successive art history periods, including art history terminology and symbolism in art works; to provide the opportunity for the students to focus on their artistic skill of preference; and to push their creative boundaries and problem solving skills. As upperclassmen, students may elect to take an advanced Mixed Media course, which includes oil painting, photorealistic drawing, multi-color relief printmaking and a student designed project.

The image shows three young women sitting around a table, engaged in what appears to be a collaborative project or activity. The background suggests a classroom or workspace setting, with shelves and storage units visible.
A vibrant, abstract composition featuring a variety of colorful, organic shapes and textures against a dark, moody background.
A group of smiling young girls, some wearing glasses, are gathered around a table, engaged in what appears to be a craft or activity, with various art supplies and decorations visible in the background.
A group of people in colorful clothing are sitting and posing in front of a vibrant mural depicting a domed building and a celestial scene.
A young boy is holding up a colorful painting depicting a landscape with mountains, a house, and a red structure in the background.
A young girl is sitting at a table, intently working on a colorful art project, while another person's hand is visible in the background.
The image depicts a vibrant underwater scene with numerous colorful fish swimming in a watery background, accompanied by the text %22Swimming into first grade!%22
A vibrant and surreal painting depicting a scene with figures in a dreamlike landscape, surrounded by swirling patterns of color and abstract elements.
A group of young students, both boys and girls, are gathered around a table in a classroom, engaged in an arts and crafts activity, with various art supplies and materials visible on the table.
A vibrant bouquet of blue irises in a white vase sits on a wooden surface, with a patterned background adding depth and texture to the scene.
A young girl with brown hair is holding up a patterned fabric or artwork in front of a plain white wall.
The image displays a collection of various artistic prints and posters, including a handwritten sign that says %22One more chapter%22, and several colorful abstract and floral designs.
A group of people, likely students, are gathered on a balcony overlooking a mural depicting a starry night sky, with a brick building in the background.
A group of people, mostly young individuals, are standing on a balcony or ledge in front of a brick building with a red metal roof. The foreground features a colorful mural or artwork on the wall below the balcony.