Visual Arts

Early Childhood visual arts introduces our youngest learners (pre-k through first grade) to the wonderful world of the arts. During these formative years, children learn to express themselves creatively, become divergent thinkers, and build fine motor skills. Curriculum highlights include clay, painting, color study, and self-portraits.

In second through fifth grade, creative expression is emphasized with many opportunities for children to explore, practice, and share new ideas with various materials. Curriculum highlights include clay, painting, observational drawing, printmaking, interdisciplinary connections with classroom and library studies, and many opportunities to display student artwork.

Artistically inclined students also have the opportunity to select after-school clubs, which have included Clay Play Club, Comic Book Making, and Crafty Gems Club. Berkeley Summer Programs also has art-based offerings, which often include Artrageous!, Eco Artists, Jewelry Jamboree, and more.

In Middle Division, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of artistic mediums such as woodworking in the Smith Fabrication Studio, printmaking, ceramics, drawing, and painting. Sixth grade students are also able to work with microcontrollers on specific projects. Visual arts classes help round out each student’s academic schedule while also teaching them useful life skills.

Middle and Upper Division students contribute work to an impressive end-of-year art exhibition called “Concepts.” 

Upper Division visual arts classes include computer animation, ceramics, design art, graphic design, photography, woodworking in the Smith Fabrication Studio, and much more. Art students are encouraged to enter their projects into regional, state, and national competitions, and they frequently win multiple awards in the Scholastic Art & Writing Award competition. They also take part in a variety of events on campus, such as the annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Show. Their art is frequently on display for the Berkeley community in the Straz Family Art Gallery. Upper Division art clubs include: Fashion Club, Fiber Arts Club, Origami Club, Sequential Arts Club, and more.

Additionally, students may learn the techniques of film and video production and storytelling through our filmmaking class. The topics covered include stop-motion, screenwriting, narrative, and documentary film. Each winter, there is the opportunity to write for, direct, crew, or produce for our annual SHORTS! Film Festival.

Middle and Upper Division students contribute work to a an impressive end-of-year art exhibition called “Concepts.” 

The Upper Division also offers a summer travel program to study Art and Photography for three weeks in Florence, Italy. This program is open to all Upper Division students, who earn one Visual Arts credit and one Global Scholars elective credit for going on the trip.