The Hotchkiss School
Art
Arts Department News ...
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Nine Hotchkiss Students Win 2008 Scholastic Art Awards
A national jury will choose works for exhibition in New York City in June 2008. Three Hotchkiss students will have work travel to the national jury.
The study of art enables one to learn the history, techniques, and processes of making objects and images that have meaning. Art is a means of visual expression and communication, as well as a means of developing visual literacy. The department is committed to helping students become sensitive, intelligent observers. It is committed to teaching students how to manipulate a broad range of media with confidence and intent. Students are strongly encouraged to take risks--with their materials and their ideas.
All members of the art faculty are working and exhibiting artists; the philosophy is to create a learning environment where students study and explore as artists. To this end, the studio emphasis of each course is complemented by the study of art history, art vocabulary, and a critical process for judging success. Students are taught to plan carefully, to articulate their ideas, to understand their work in an historical context, and to evaluate objectively both their own and others' work.
The art facilities include a multimedia lecture hall, a library, and seven well-equipped studios. In addition to the 90-minute art classes, students have access to the studios until 10 p.m. every night. The Tremaine Gallery, located in the Main Building, features exhibits of well-known artists throughout the year. These artists regularly come to campus to speak with students about their work or to spend several days as artists in residence. In addition, trips to off-campus museums and galleries are integrated into the curriculum.
Entering preps and lower mids must take a year of the arts (dance, drama, music, photography, or studio art) to fulfill diploma requirements.