Middle School Art

In the Middle School program students will develop and refine their ability to communicate visually; to manage a wide range of tools and materials; and to achieve quality, style, and craftsmanship in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and crafts. Units of instruction incorporate a stronger emphasis on art history, criticism and aesthetics.

Students in our middle school program are given art based “problems” to solve in a way that is personal to them. Differentiated instruction is a key tool in the art room to providing opportunities for each individual student artist to realize that there is often no one right answer. Instead students are encouraged to find their own “right answer”.

Students are taught the technical and creative skills necessary to succeed in their visual arts education at the high school level if they choose to do so. Involvement in the greater art community in Charlottesville is encouraged. We have had our students selected to participate in the Reflections Program, a Summer Regional Governor’s School Program for the arts.

Enduring ideas explored in our program have included:

Identity
Community
Myth
Point of View
Feelings
Faith
Symbols
Environment