Visual Arts

The Visual Arts department faculty teaches the fundamentals of art in a variety of disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, analog and digital photography, art history and digital illustration, filmmaking, and marketing design. Students engage in the curriculum prescribed by the Visual Arts Department Head based on work presented in an audition for evaluation, in addition to student interests. Additionally, course selections are based on grade level and technical proficiency.

• We teach the importance of visual thinking and creative problem-solving.
• We emphasize observational drawing techniques for college portfolio preparation.
• We encourage collaborative work both within the Visual Arts Department, throughout the CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half-day Program, and the Greater Hartford community.
• We encourage and support students’ risk-taking as they progress through the rigorous curriculum.
• Art history courses, gallery and museum tours, guest artist lectures, and hands-on workshops provide a context for students’ work of artists past and present.
• We exhibit student artwork in the school throughout the community, nationally, and internationally.
• Students are encouraged to participate in local, national, and international visual art competitions.

Supplies – Students are encouraged to bring supplies they prefer to create with; however, all supplies for in-class studio work will be provided.

Year 1:
Foundation Drawing and Painting, in addition to 2-3 of the following courses: Foundation Sculpture, Art History, Ceramics, or Digital Media
Year 2:
Drawing and Painting Level 1, in addition to 2-3 of the following courses: Sculpture, Art History, Ceramics, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Digital Media, or Photography
Year 3:
Drawing and Painting Level 2, in addition to 2-3 of the following courses: Sculpture, Art History, Ceramics, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Digital Media, Photography, or AP 2D Drawing
Year 4:
Senior Seminar, in addition to any of the following courses: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Art History, Ceramics, Printmaking, Digital Media, Photography, or AP 2D Drawing. If the student has excelled through the curriculum from the previous year, they would have the opportunity to develop an Independent Study in technique(s) and medium(a) of choice.

For more information, contact Natasha Miles, Visual Arts Department Chair, at (860) 757-6341 or namiles@crec.org