 | We believe that fine art broadens children’s prospects, enhances their quality of life, and has an immeasurable effect upon their emotional and intellectual growth.
Every student has the opportunity to explore his or her creative gifts in the impressive Ethel Barnes Porter studio arts building here at Crystal. Our rich visual arts curriculum includes hands-on courses in drawing, painting, printmaking, and ceramics, which are designed to meet the needs of the beginning student as well as to nurture the development of our more advanced visual artists.
Our light-filled classroom hosts weekly figure drawing and painting sessions. In an adjacent studio allocated to three-dimensional design, students have the opportunity to work on large scale sculpture and functional ceramics. Ongoing classroom critiques and vibrant exhibitions reflect our philosophy, which encourages students to develop complex ideas, reflect on themselves and their community, and hone the technical skills necessary to express their visions. Through slide lectures, visiting artists’ talks, and field trips, we help students to become not only connoisseurs of art, but sensitive, cultured stewards of their world. |
| Ceramics Crystal enjoys the luxury of a separate ceramics classroom and newly acquired electric kiln in which to explore one’s creativity in the medium of clay. Classes are intended to build on students’ prior knowledge of design; translated into three dimensional form. The studio-oriented classes enable students the opportunity to further explore the possibilities of clay and to produce a variety of both sculptural and functional forms.
Students learn development of throwing skills on the potter’s wheel and more advanced techniques associated with the craft of international ceramic artists. Glaze application, hand building techniques and creative printing on clay are explored. Students will continue their study of multicultural crafts movements, art criticism and aesthetics through weekly critiques, lectures and demonstrations. |
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| Graphic Design Today’s graphic artist has a breathtaking range of digital tools at her/his disposal. Powerful software, such as Adobe Creative Suite, allows artists to manipulate visual imagery in new and exciting ways. But despite the power and range of these tools, basic design skills are still the central component of a graphic artist’s toolkit. My approach to teaching graphic design is aimed at providing students with a mastery of the core skills and concepts of the visual arts (visual literacy, layout and storyboarding, basic design technique, and illustration) as a method for teaching the technical skills required for advanced computer design. |
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PhotographyCrystal is incredibly fortunate to have a darkroom where students learn the art of traditional (film-based) photography and practice the virtues of patience, attention to detail and delayed gratification. These courses offer students a unique opportunity for personal reflection and self-expression, as well as concrete skill development. Black and White photo gallery>>The photography lab is a place to be creative yet technical, inspired yet grounded, and to solve problems yet have fun! Beginners learn that cameras do not take pictures, people do. Advanced students build unique pinhole cameras, make exposures that last months rather than moments, and explore in-depth topics from behind the lens. These courses offer students a unique opportunity for personal reflection and self-expression, as well as concrete skill development. The photography lab is a place to be creative yet technical, inspired yet grounded, and to solve problems yet have fun! |
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| Video Production Who wants to be a filmmaker? In this class, students work on every aspect of filmmaking from conception, through writing and filming, and into postproduction. Video Production is taught like a studio art class where each student works on unique production pieces for the entire course of the year. For example, using content that is student-inspired and student-driven, production students make videos from scratch and post them on YouTube. Creative intention definitely has a place for expression in this class.
Do you have something to say? Well, say it in video. |
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