Fine Arts
Graded’s Visual/Fine Arts Program offers students the opportunity to explore a wide range of media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, ceramics, sculpture, digital art, photography, and film. Through creative, inquiry-based projects, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and visual communication skills while building the confidence to express themselves through art.
Lower School
In the Early Years, students are introduced to artistic techniques as they explore the history of art. Working with a variety of materials and media, they begin to express ideas about themselves and the world around them through creative exploration.
In Grades 1–5, students deepen their understanding of the seven elements of art—line, shape, form, color, value, texture, and space—through diverse techniques and student-centered projects. They explore artistic traditions from around the world, including Japanese printmaking and Mexican weaving, while learning how to combine visual elements to create meaningful works of art. Students also discover a range of artistic movements and periods, including Greek, Pop, and Modern art.
Middle School
Middle School students can explore drawing, ceramics, digital art, design, photography, or film through semester-long electives. These courses encourage students to discover their interests, embrace new creative challenges, and develop their artistic voice. At the end of each course, students proudly showcase their work in the Lemann-Tully Arts Center.
High School
The High School Visual Arts Program encourages students to see the world through a creative lens, challenge assumptions, and communicate ideas through artistic expression. Students begin by exploring a variety of media in foundation courses and may pursue advanced study in photography, digital art, film, ceramics, sculpture, or fine arts.
Photography students develop both foundational and advanced techniques in image-making, editing, and printing while creating thematic portfolios using traditional darkroom and digital processes. Students enrolled in Design and Technology courses explore digital photography, graphic design, video production, animation, and other forms of digital media. Film courses offer opportunities to develop skills in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design while encouraging students to tell authentic, compelling stories.
Art Foundations, Ceramics, and Sculpture courses are open to all students interested in experimenting with different artistic processes and materials. Students seeking a more rigorous and in-depth artistic experience may enroll in IB SL/HL Visual Arts. Through inquiry, experimentation, reflection, and studio practice, students develop technical proficiency while expanding their creative thinking. The course culminates in a curated exhibition in which students present a selected body of work, accompanied by a curatorial rationale that demonstrates their growth as artists, critics, and visual communicators.
