Visual Arts

The Visual Arts enable students to become visually and culturally literate, to apply critical and creative thinking, and to demonstrate problem-solving through a variety of media combining technical adeptness with the development of a personal aesthetic and quality of thought.

With training in the visual arts, students deepen their connections to their imaginations and world around them, strengthen their ability to articulate their ideas, and learn the skills necessary to become engaged citizens.

Our studio art classes are spacious and light-filled with views out onto the school grounds. RPCS Studio Art rooms house the materials and equipment capable of producing a wide range of works, from Commedia del’ arte inspired masks and hand-made artist’s books, to life sized oil paintings. In the Ceramics program, students build clay objects by hand and at one of 7 potter’s wheels. In photography, a student can work traditionally at one of 10 enlargers or with the latest Adobe Creative Suite software on her personal laptop or one of the many Macs in the digital media lab.

In This Section

Studio Art

Photography

Ceramics

In the Classroom

Lower School

Studio art is a required class taught in kindergarten through 4th grade.

The curriculum develops at a developmentally appropriate pace, introducing students to different mediums, forms of expression, and techniques as they progress through Lower School. Projects start in the younger grades with an examination of the color wheel and mixed media, then develop into work with clay, figure in motion drawings, self-portraits, ceramics, and linoleum printing.

As a part of the Lower School STEAM curriculum, each art class partners with the technology, science, and math classes to create interdisciplinary projects that enhance learning across departments.

Middle School

Middle School art provides a wide range of experiences in the classroom so that each girl can feel successful as she explores which media appeal to her. Students work with painting, drawing, sculpting, and mixed media materials, while building on existing skills and exploring new ones. There is ample opportunity for thoughtful discussion and intellectual challenge, while creating artwork that is personally meaningful and aesthetically strong.

Students are encouraged to stretch beyond their comfort zones to take artistic risks and discover new facets of imagination, new strategies for self-expression, and new ways of perceiving and interacting with the world. A diverse group of artists is used as inspiration at the beginning of each unit. The young artists are guided by support and suggestions from peers, as well as the instructor.

Upper School

Classes Offered

Photography	ceramics	studio art
Intro & Advanced Photography	Intro & Advanced Ceramics	Intro & Advanced Studio Art
Darkroom Photography	Developing Ideas and Creativity in Ceramics	Drawing
Photoshop	Alternative Processes in Ceramics	Fashion Design
AP 2-D Art & Design (Photography)	Personal Directions in Ceramics	Mixed Media
	A Study of World Traditions on Repurposing Fired Clay Shards in Ceramics	Painting
	AP 3-D Art & Design	AP 2-D Art & Design

Additional classes are offered through our tri-school partnership.

Facilities

The Sarah Neilson Curlett Arts Center occupies an entire wing on the second floor of the school and houses the Hartman Middle School Arts Studio, an Upper School arts studio and digital media lab, the Shaughnessy Ceramics/Sculpture Studio, the Tilghman Photography Lab and adjoining prep room, and a wood shop. The Donkervoet Lower School Arts Studio is on the second floor in the Lower School wing.

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All School Art Show

The all school art show is an exciting time for students K-12 to showcase their work from throughout the year. The exhibit is housed in the Knott Lobby outside of the Sinex Theater throughout the spring.

AP Art Exhibit

The Upper School AP art and design students showcase their work from their AP portfolios every spring. The work includes painting, drawings, mixed media work, photography, fashion design, ceramics and digital imaging.

Little Reds Art Show

Every year, the Little Reds division of Roland Park Country School opens its doors to their community to showcase the artistic talents of our littlest learners, from babies to pre-k!

Awards and Accolades

Our Upper and Middle School students have received countless awards and accolades for their visual arts projects. From The National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition to the National and Regional Scholastic Art Awards, our students are honored on regional, state, and national stages.