Middle Division (7-8)

Arts

The mission of the arts at Brentwood School is to inspire personal and intellectual growth through the exploration, critical analysis and disciplined practice, and ultimately the shared experience of creative expression.

Our arts faculty, artists and performers themselves, offer instruction in visual arts, dance, music, and theater. In every course, our teachers strive to foster self-knowledge, a willingness to experiment and take risks, an understanding that through art we create and reflect culture, and a commitment to the creative process. Exhibits, recitals, and productions throughout the year celebrate our students’ accomplishments.

In the Middle Division, during both their 7th and 8th Grade year, students are required to develop their skills and creativity by choosing from one of the following performing arts offerings: Choral Music, Instrumental Music, dance, and drama. Art and Culture is a required one-trimester course for all Middle Division students at some point during their 7th or 8th Grade career. Drawing & Painting and Sculpture may be taken as well.

The goal of this hands-on course is to introduce the basics of art and design within a cultural context. In-class art assignments will reflect and enhance the social studies curriculum, exposing students to the historical concepts and traditions of the art of selected world cultures. A cross-cultural approach to art making will be emphasized, including responding to one’s environment, creating meaning and the uses of symbolism, space and pattern. Additionally, students will learn techniques and build skills in drawing, design and color theory while working in a variety of media and techniques. Through the creative process, students will refine their critical reasoning, learning to effectively think, write and talk about art. Some projects may vary depending on the trimester, but will often include masks, sculpture, collage, mosaic, weaving, drawing, painting, or printmaking. 
This course offers a deeper experience of drawing, painting and design in order to expand students’ fluency in the visual language of art. Building on skills learned in Art & Culture, assignments will explore the ideas behind art making in historical and contemporary art forms. Drawing, composition, form and color continue to be the basis of two-dimensional hands-on projects. Additional techniques of drawing, painting, printmaking and design will be introduced, giving students opportunities to increase their skill level. A range of materials and expressive possibilities will allow students to explore a variety of subject matter.

With a basis in three dimensional form, a variety of sculptural concepts and materials will be explored. Techniques in clay, plaster, wire sculpture and mixed media assemblage will be introduced, as well as concepts like sculptural maquettes. By exploring how artists develop ideas and by learning about issues addressed by contemporary art, students will work on a series of individual projects.

Upcoming Arts Events

No events are currently available.