Explore Our Curriculum

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts Department cultivates lifelong appreciation of and involvement in the arts. Art courses are interdisciplinary in nature, and students are encouraged to experiment across a broad range of studio art disciplines (ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture). Students explore their own ideas and practice creative problem solving within the collaborative studio environment while learning how to craft well-resolved artwork. Through active participation, hands-on learning, and critique, students develop imagination, self-confidence, and self-discipline. Utilizing multicultural contemporary and historical art as a reference, students learn how images/objects communicate, enhancing their own visual literacy. Students are empowered to communicate ideas and perspectives using their preferred means of visual expression.

  • Visual Arts, Grade 6

    This one-semester, process-oriented course uses art to help students make connections and develop their creative problem-solving skills. Students are exposed to a variety of two- and three-dimensional media. Areas of focus include design concepts, drawing, ceramics, painting, textiles, photography, and the study of contemporary artists whose ideas and work inspire creativity. The class works within the sixth-grade theme of water, and assignments are integrated with the broader concepts of the curriculum.

  • Visual Arts, Grade 7

    This one-semester course is an introduction to a variety of two- and three-dimensional media. It is designed to acquaint students with the possibilities and limits of each medium as they discover creative ways to express their feelings and ideas. Students experiment with many processes and keep journals of their discoveries and experiences.

  • Visual Arts, Grade 8

    Students in this year-long course explore the creative potential of drawing, sculpture, and photography. Projects emphasize process as much as product. The aim of this course is to cultivate appreciation and enthusiasm for art as an expressive means of communication. Students are encouraged to take risks and strive beyond their first solutions. By design, projects throughout the year correspond to key elements of the Human Rights Humanities curriculum.

FACULTY

  • Photo of Lily Gillett
    Lily Gillett
    MS Art, Grade 6 Dean, MS Field Hockey Head Coach
    339-686-4489
    William Smith College - BA
    2014
    Bio
  • Photo of Christopher Love
    Christopher Love
    Art, Visual Arts Teacher, Middle School Soccer Head Coach
    339-686-4514
    Tufts University/Museum of Fine Arts - MAT
    University of Maryland College Park - BA
    2012
    Bio
333 Winter Street Weston, MA 02493
P: 781.235.9300 F: 781.239.3614
© 2021 The Rivers School. All Rights Reserved
Rivers admits academically qualified students and does not discriminate against students or families on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, and other school-administered programs.