Visual Arts

Instruction in the visual arts far surpasses normal classroom art projects. Our focus is to educate students not only about the history of art and techniques but also contemporary artists and movements as well as career opportunities in the arts.

The Visual Arts at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy encompass the Elements of Art and Principles of Design through exploration, technique, application, craftsmanship and critique. Students apply knowledge through a variety of media, including graphite, acrylic paint, pastel, watercolor, clay, collage, photography, digital art and printmaking. Art history is consistently integrated into the curriculum and applied to each unit of study.

Lower School

Preschool and Lower School students attend weekly art classes, learning about famous artists and the fundamentals of art through experimentation with a wide variety of materials. Each year, students visit a local museum, gallery or studio, including The Chrysler Museum, the Chrysler’s Glass Studio or The Peninsula Museum of Fine Art and have exposure to a wide range of artists and styles of work.

Middle School

In Middle School, art is an elective. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate and transfer their knowledge of the elements of art and the principles of design in numerous projects. New techniques and materials continue to be introduced, and personal expression and exploration is encouraged throughout each yearlong course to enable students to gain an understanding and appreciation for the arts.

Upper School

The Upper School Visual Arts Program encourages students to discover and build upon their creativity with a variety of artistic techniques and art mediums. Students have the opportunity to grow from foundational skills to Advanced Placement Studio Art. Two- and three-dimensional projects assist in developing a comprehensive understanding of the elements and principles of art and design. Art history is also regularly integrated into projects.

Art I: Exploration of Media

Exploration of Media invites students to discover their creativity with a variety of artistic techniques and art mediums. Imagination, creativity and innovation are the foundation of art. Two- and three-dimensional projects assist in developing a comprehensive understanding of the elements and principles of art and design. Art history is regularly integrated into projects. Routine sketchbook assignments are also given as a way to improve basic drawing skills. Through this course, students learn to make independent choices and also learn how to think critically and develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Participation in the NSA student art and photography show and regional art shows are required.

Art II: Expansion in Media & Design Techniques

Students expand and build upon their Art I knowledge. Critiquing skills are developed and utilized. Drawing skills, design, watercolor, acrylic painting, portraiture and clay are studied. Art history and current events in Art are discussed in every area of exploration. Participation in the NSA student art and photography show, Portfolio, and participation in regional art shows are required.

Advanced Art: Introduction to Studio Art

Based on art history, aesthetics and production, new activities are explored annually. Periods of inquiry will include drawing, painting, pastels, printmaking, collage construction and three-dimensional design. In addition, students are encouraged to pursue personal interests. Students are introduced to contemporary artists along with past masters. Student critiques are consistently utilized. Participation in the NSA student art and photography show and regional art shows are required.

Advanced Art II: Studio Art Exploration

This course allows students who are not ready for the independence of AP Studio Art a continuing in-depth exploration of art history, aesthetics and production. New activities are explored annually in a studio setting, allowing students to advance and refine their skills in drawing, pastels, printmaking, collage construction and three-dimensional design. Student critiques continue on a regular basis. Participation in the NSA student art and photography show and regional art shows are required.

Digital Art

The purpose of this course is to learn how to create art and original graphics using computer software and technological equipment. Time spent in this course will be divided among learning Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and concepts of digital photography. For this course, students will need a laptop, Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps package, access to a digital camera (Smartphones may be acceptable with instructor’s permission) and a 32GB flash drive.

Photography

Photography exists when art, technology, and chemistry meet. These subjects are all used when learning the foundations of digital and 35mm photographic processes. This course invites students to discover the traditional and new photographic methods, to study the history of photography and to see the world in a new way. Through this course students will learn to compose successful photographs, understand camera parts and functions and explore darkroom techniques during the developing and printing of black and white film. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom will also be introduced, and students will learn how to digitally manipulate their photographs, understand how to decipher image types and file sizes and print their digital images. Assignments will focus on a particular genre or style and experimental methods will be investigated. Participation in the NSA student art and photography show and regional art shows are required.

AP Studio Art

Offered to seniors who have completed at least three years of art and/or photography or by special permission of the instructor after a review of a portfolio, this course consists of work in observational drawing, design, color, and three-dimensional forms. Students may choose from a Drawing, 2D or 3D Art and Design portfolio. The culmination of the course is the submission of a two-part portfolio to the College Board: Sustained Investigation and Selected Works. The Sustained Investigation will consist of 15 digital images of art and design and process documentation. Typed responses to prompts will provide information about the questions that guided their investigation and how they practiced, experimented, and revised during the art making process. In the Selected Works section, students will submit five works of art and design and writing to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Students are expected to enter regional art competitions. Work will be necessary and expected beyond regular class time.

Upper School student participating in a visiting artist workshop

Visiting Artist Workshops

Interested middle and upper school students participate in visiting artist workshops sponsored by the Suffolk Art League. Professional artists lead full-day workshops to expose students to various artistic styles to help them develop new skills and explore career opportunities in the arts.

Beyond the Classroom

To experience the art world beyond the classroom, students travel to local museums, galleries and studios. In Upper School, art students participate in an annual art trip to gain further inspiration and an appreciation for the arts. Past trips have included student tours of the National Gallery of Art and the Hirshhorn museums in Washington, D.C., as well as the Guggenheim and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Exhibits and Competitions

Students enter local, regional and national exhibits and competitions each year to learn and grow as artists. Every spring, NSA hosts an annual student art and photography show, “Portfolio,” for Upper School students, where they learn to prepare and set up an exhibition and gain a deeper understanding of the judging process. An evening ceremony is also held to present awards for outstanding work.