A CELEBRATION OF CDS ARTISTS 2020

ABOUT CDS VISUAL ART

Beginning in Kindergarten, every Charleston Day student receives art instruction weekly. The lower school grades focus on learning and exploring art with art history. Students express themselves through painting, drawing, sculpting, collage and printmaking inspired by such artists as Monet, Cezanne, Hiroshige, Picasso, Van Gogh and more.

​

The middle school art program builds year after year, with each eighth grader graduating with a strong portfolio consisting of still lifes, portraits, landscapes and other various works. Middle school art classes advance students’ understanding of the elements of art and principles of design through the study of famous artists and art history, personal expression, exposure to a variety of techniques and materials, and modern design. Students gain confidence and mastery in drawing from observation with still life assignments, renderings from photos, and occasional outdoor excursions. These year-long classes are organized in a natural sequence of art elements, including line, shape, value, color, texture, form and space. Techniques include, but are not limited to, drawing, painting, printmaking, and 3-D construction. Creative risk-taking and time management skills are supported and developed in the middle school years.