Visual Arts
The visual art program at St. Paul's High School works towards a greater understanding of and appreciation for the visual arts. Students who take this course will gain knowledge and skills that can be applied to various fields of study. Regardless of his future aspirations, the course has something to offer every student. An appreciation of aesthetics and design will lead to a more visually educated art student and future consumer, a person who recognizes the integral part that good design plays in all our lives. A St. Paul's graduate will have developed an appreciation for the visual arts and, perhaps, become more aware of the environment in which he lives.
The art program at St. Paul's is studio based. Students work on projects that incorporate visual awareness, art appreciation, art production and art history. Students learn to express themselves visually while developing technical skills. They will be exposed to a wide range of media, encouraging them to explore new ways to communicate. (Two or three photos here, showing different projects)
The visual art program at St. Paul's challenges students and helps them to reach their full potential. The program provides all students opportunities to develop their creativity, problem solving and observational skills, which can usefully be applied to other fields. Participating in the arts helps them to become well-rounded members of society. Students with special interests in pursuing advanced studies in fields such as fine arts, advertising, or computer graphics have the opportunity to develop a portfolio containing works used to apply to post secondary institutions.
Enrichment
Professionals in art- related fields such as animation, design and photography are invited into the class to share their knowledge and experiences. Field trips expose students to community art. This year, Grade 12 Art students will be traveling to Chicago with the band students for a visit to the Chicago Art Institute, a great opportunity for cultural enrichment. Similar opportunities will, no doubt, be available in subsequent years.
One of the special benefits of the art program is the pride that students feel when they see their work on display within the school, in public exhibitions and through virtual galleries. For the past three years, the program has sponsored an art exhibit at Fleet Galleries in the Exchange District.
