Adventurous Artists, Welcome to the Visual Arts Program
What is Creativity?
Creativity is making associations between existing forms, colours and structures which then form patterns and ideas that become content and communicate with viewers. Art relates to creativity as math relates to logic - it is a unique way to understand the world. With this idea as departure point, students in the Visual Arts department have a mission to test the limits of normally accepted ‘art’. New ideas, based on new associations, result in new forms of creativity.
This is a core belief in our department.
- We educate art students for the future, keeping in line with current developments in the arts and contemporary technologies as well as contemporary views of art and creativity. Teachers are current on these matters
- We believe in a problem-solving approach to art education. Students must be able to set individual goals in class to reach unique solutions
- We believe in student-centred and not teacher-centred classes. Curriculum is adapted and modified to serve our students.
- Every year a large number of our senior Visual Arts students apply to study art, design and film at universities and colleges – a feather in our cap! The feedback we get from these institutions is usually positive, since our students are well prepared.
- Theory is important in our delivery
- Teachers combine their professional skills and energy to create a strong artistic team.
Teachers
- Ms. Moore, Department Head
- Mrs. Litvack
Opportunities
Field Trips
Field trips are an exciting way to experience aspects connected to our curriculum. Please ask your teacher for a list of upcoming field trips and department events.
Some years, we organize department field trips to New York City or Europe, on alternating years. Please see your teacher for this year's itinerary.
York Region Arts Camp is a great way to enhance the experience of an enthusiastic artist, by connecting with other young artists within the board.
Spirit of the Arts Club
This student organization is involved in extra-curricular activities in the Visual Arts Department. Their mission is to promote the subject and maintain a body of core students. Spirit of the Arts may set up exhibitions, paint murals, help promote art, organize fundraisers, creates art attacks, and help organize a gala dinner at the end of the year, or art awards ceremony at the end of each semester.
Spirit of the Arts meets on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m.
Art Exhibitions
At the end of major units student work is displayed in the school. We also put up specials shows for events like parents’ night.
At the end of first semester, the Grade 12 classes show their work in an Aurora gallery for a week.
Art exhibits help to give our department exposure within our community, and to raise interest for incoming students, e.g. the Grade 8 Visit to our school or Course selection day