Visual Arts

Upper School Visual Arts

The Walker School Upper School Visual Arts program is comprised of a wide variety of classes, including Drawing, Sculpture, Painting, Foundations, and Advanced Placement Studio Art. Each class is designed to give students a venue for exploration, creativity, and self-expression in both 2 and 3 dimensional artwork. Projects include, but are not limited to, work with acrylic, watercolor, clay, plaster, wire, collage, ink, graphite, charcoal, pastel, found objects, and acrylic photo transfers. Students are encouraged not only to explore new media and employ new techniques, but also to think conceptually about their artwork, successfully conveying visual meaning to their audience. Art Club is composed of a group of students with an interest in creating visual artwork. Projects may include 2 or 3 dimensional artwork, public art projects, and collaborations with the Halls and Walls Club, working towards visual displays of school spirit at Walker. Students in Art Club are not required to be taking or have taken an art class at Walker. They are simply required to maintain a commitment to making and learning about art.

Photography Club

Walker's Photography Club provides an opportunity for students interested in the craft to come together as a group and build upon their skills in terms of digital, analog, and alternative photographic processes. The students share theme-based work each month, take part in critiques, view established artists' work, enter shows, and participate in field trips.

Middle School Visual Art

Each year, students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade art classes have the opportunity to draw, paint, and sculpt. The designated art focus each year provides inspiration for both content and technique for various art projects throughout the year. The focus is based on the art of a specific culture or time period in history or the art of several related cultures. It is Ms. Anderson’s philosophy that everyone can "do art" and that all it takes is an open mind and a willingness to look at something in a new and unusual way. The Middle School art lab is colorful and inviting and the atmosphere is relaxed, but don't let that fool you. Serious work is being done and wonderful creations are coming to life each and every day! In addition to studio art, 8th graders take a survey course called the History of Western Art. Through images, lecture, and discussion, this course makes them more aware of the art around them and the various factors, which have influenced the development of art through the ages. They soon learn that art is not created "in a vacuum" and that world events serve to shape creativity. The Gallery showcases the artwork of Middle School students each summer.

Lower School Visual Art

Lower School art classes are designed to give first through fifth graders an introduction to art that will prepare them for Middle and Upper School art classes. Students attend two art classes per week. The curriculum offers well-rounded and varied art experiences in the Lower School’s well-equipped Art Lab, where students work on both two-dimensional and three-dimensional projects. Children use their assignments as opportunities for problem solving as they work with a wide range of media, projects, and themes at each grade level. Boys and girls enjoy working with pencil, crayon, markers, colored pencils, watercolor, tempera, acrylic paint, clay, fabric, and foil. Project assignments are also integrated with other core areas in the Lower School curriculum. Students are given the opportunity to talk about their artwork and that of professional artists. Through visits to our Walker Gallery, students are able to see artwork from Atlanta-area artists and familiarize themselves with gallery/museum manners. As a special activity, students attend a children’s Artist Festival, focusing on five area artists, held in our Muthiah Activity Center, or enjoy a visit to the High Museum of Art.

Preschool Visual Art

Preschool Art classes are designed to introduce students to the basic elements and principles of design in art. Students in Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten visit the art lab twice a week. Emphasis is placed on cognitive, sensory, and motor development as well as development of visual problem solving skills. Throughout preschool and kindergarten students use an increasing variety of materials, skills, and techniques. They learn to identify and use colors, textures, lines, shapes and patterns in art. They use prisma color pencils, pastels, ink, colored markers, water color, tempera, acrylic paint, wood, fabric, collage materials, and clay to complete projects in painting, drawing, paper works, printmaking, and sculpture. Students also study artists from different time periods and cultures. They learn to identify those who make art as artists and observe, describe, and respond to works of art. Each February the preschool students exhibit their talents in the annual preschool art show.