Arts classes range from Introduction to Studio Arts, where ideas are fostered through a student’s personal vision and approached through formal and conceptual means, to Architecture where living and working spaces are planned, to AP Studio Art where the most motivated and able students create art to go into a portfolio that is assessed against student work from the whole country. Our photographers also capture in a split second images that are long lasting. The history of art and architecture informs the creative process and serves as a source of insight. Westminster’s visual arts teachers are working artists, architects and photographers and they bring to the classroom a multitude of experiences. Whether they’re painting or sculpting in the Hamilton Art Studios, working at drafting boards in the Engineering and Design classroom, creating digital art in a computer lab in Armour, or building sets, stringing lights, or choreographing dances in Werner Centennial Center, Westminster students find innumerable ways to explore their creativity. In addition, students frequently get the opportunity to learn from visiting performers and artists in master-class settings.
As part of Westminster’s commitment to the arts, all Third Form students are required to take Introduction to the Visual and Performing Arts. Meeting twice-weekly for this team-taught, pass/fail class, Third Formers experience a rich introduction to visual arts, music and theater.
For many students, Westminster studio arts offer an opportunity to follow their creative spirit; for many others, our program nurtures a lifelong interest, leading some students to recent acceptances into selective college art programs such as Rhode Island School of Design, The Art Institute of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon, Syracuse University, and Trinity College.