Visual Arts Lab

Middle School Program - Grades 6-7*
High School Program - Grades 8-11*
*For students who will have completed the U.S. equivalent of the grades listed prior to the start of Summer Programs.

4-Week Program  | Boarding** & Day 
June 23 - July 19, 2024 | 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. 
**Boarding students are required to start on June 23, 2024 for Arrival Day Check-in.

Middle School

• Digital Art - Students learn the basic principles of photography while also bringing their own characters, scenes, and stories to life using applications such as Procreate, Adobe Animate, and Photoshop to create original animations!
   
• 2-D Survey - Students learn foundational technical skills through various projects and mediums, such as graphite, watercolor, acrylic paint, and oil pastels. Students make simple observational drawings, develop a basic understanding of the face and figure, learn how to constructively critique works, and create a final mixed media project based on freedom of self-expression. 
   
• 3-D Survey - Students explore a variety of materials and techniques that are 3-D oriented: textiles, metals, paper, string, wire, and found objects. Students will focus on developing greater mastery and a solid foundation for continuing their studies in the high school program. 
   
• Flex Block - Students have a 70-minute period where they have special instruction on a particular topic or art form (How to be an artist, How to hang an installation, What is an artist statement…), use the time to catch up on a project, or join one of our instructors as they take their class to the next level.
  
  *Each student is provided with an iPad and tool kit to use during the program, so their work can be portable

High School

• Digital Art and Design - Students focus on using industry-standard tools to create works of digital art and graphic design. In addition, they also learn 2-D animation, logo and branding design, how to create assets for video games, and more.
   
• 2-D Survey - Students refine their artistic technical abilities through various projects and mediums, such as graphite, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic paint, oil paints, and pastels. Students create still-life observational drawings, explore the anatomical build of the face and figure, regularly participate in critiques with their peers, and begin to learn how to create and analyze conceptual and abstract works.
   
• 3-D Survey -. Students will explore various materials and techniques through the lens of small-scale sculpture and adornment. Familiar materials: paper, fabric, wood, metal, and more, will be utilized to experiment with a variety of hand tools and techniques. Through this lens, students will explore creativity, hand-eye coordination, design, and strategies based on individual knowledge and experience. Students will learn methods to join components through cold and hot connections: stitching, riveting, tabs, and soldering. 
   
• Flex Block - Students have a 70-minute period where they have special instruction on a particular topic or art form (How to be an artist, How to hang an installation, What is an artist statement…), use the time to catch up on a project, or join one of our instructors as they take their class to the next level.

Evening Labs & Studio Hours run from 7-9 p.m. on Monday-Friday. 

Saturday Morning Workshop runs from 9 a.m. to noon. 

(Classes will be held on these Saturdays: June 29, July 6, and July 13)

Students have time to experiment and continue working on the projects they have in progress. 

Students continue to work on their projects and assignments during Studio Hours.

• Field Trips: Weeks 1, 2, and 3.
  • Field Trip destinations in Week 2 & 3 include places like the Yale Art Gallery and Center for British Art, Mystic Seaport Museum and Olde Mistick Village, and New Britain Museum of American Art.
• Snacks, supplies, and costs of trips are included in the program fee.
• A showing of student artwork occurs at the end of the 4-week session.