Developing a Visual Language

Fifth grade art lays the foundation for students’ growth as artists. Throughout the year, fifth grade artists explore the elements of art and learn how to use them intentionally in their own compositions. At the same time, they begin thinking more deeply about big ideas and themes, like nature, power, and connection, that give their artwork meaning and purpose. Students investigate both traditional subjects, such as landscapes, still life, and portraiture, as well as more unconventional approaches that spark curiosity and creative thinking. Joyful, hands-on experiences are woven throughout the year, helping students find confidence in their creativity. The course emphasizes building a strong artistic community, encouraging creative risk-taking, and developing key skills that prepare our young “emerging” artists for more open-ended exploration in sixth grade.

The theme of “wayfinding” encapsulates the artistic journey that occurs in sixth grade art. Sixth grade artists dive into a year of thinking and creating like working artists. They begin the year by exploring the Artistic Process through a dynamic, grade-wide collaborative sculpture project. As the year unfolds, students actively experiment with a variety of drawing, painting, collage, and mixed-media materials, while practicing new techniques and analyzing the work of innovative contemporary artists. Studio time emphasizes both skill-building and creative exploration as students develop focused artworks over multiple class periods and develop their unique artistic practice within the class community. Each artist draws on her learning to create a “best work” reflective of her individual voice, perspective, and artistic vision. In the spring, each student-artist proudly showcases her art in the All-School Art Exhibit.

A highlight of the sixth grade year is the field trip to the American Visionary Art Museum.

The theme of “belonging” shapes the seventh grade art experience, guiding students as they create hallmark projects like the ceramic memory box, a unique self-portrait, and a collaborative painting.

Seventh grade marks a meaningful point in the Middle School art journey. Students continue to develop their individual artistic voices while deepening their technical skills and creative thinking. They build on the foundation laid in earlier years, pushing their ideas further and taking more ownership of their work. Throughout the year, students grow not only as artists, but as members of a creative community, gaining confidence in their abilities, expressing their identities, and connecting through shared artistic experiences.

A highlight of seventh grade art is a museum field trip to deepen our girls' understanding of portraiture. Past trips include visits to the National Portrait Gallery and the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Eighth grade art is a semester-long elective class for the serious visual artists to express their unique artistic perspectives in personally meaningful artworks, while deepening their knowledge of contemporary and historical artists. During hands-on studio time, our artists focus on a material of their choosing to create a powerful, personal series of artworks called an “Artistic Investigation.” The class culminates in a special 8th Grade Art Show that showcases the body of work produced by each artist and celebrates the artistic accomplishments, ideas, and artistic voice that has developed over every student’s Middle School art experience. The art show is a true connection to the “advocacy” theme in Eighth Grade. As an RPCS tradition, each artist leaves her mark by painting an art stool at the end of the semester, contributing to the colorful legacy of our art room. Each artist leaves the Middle School art room confident in her voice, vision, and ability.