The visual arts program at Episcopal emphasizes creative problem-solving through the production of artwork using various media. Faculty strive to foster new ways of seeing, competence in production, and an awareness of the context of art in our environment. On each campus, art studio facilities are equipped to provide instruction in many disciplines, including drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and ceramics. The Berg Gallery in the Munnerlyn Center for Worship and Fine Arts provides gallery space for rotating student, faculty, and alumni exhibits.
Photography & Digital Media is offered to 7th grade students who choose to explore this medium in their quarter long arts classes and to 8th grade students who wish to take a deeper dive and study Photography for a semester, learning what it takes to be a Photography student in the upper school. These classes are designed to provide an introductory experience for the young artists and to introduce them to the basics of photography: lighting, composition, and film development techniques.
The Upper School Photography and Digital Media program spans four years of extensive instruction. A purpose built photography classroom, dark room and lighting studio highlight the school’s commitment to creating photographers who have what they need to create. Photography & Digital Media 1 and 2 cover basic to advanced digital training utilizing both Adobe Photoshop and in-depth exposure to a variety of camera formats, such as digital and analog SLRs, Holga, medium format, and large format techniques. Additionally, students are introduced to the light studio and begin to understand the benefit of controlled lighting techniques.
Honors and Advanced Placement Photography courses are intended to use the knowledge gained, but are more student-driven. In Honors, students begin exploration of extensive concept-driven works, focus on the print, and create a wide variety of handmade books while expanding on darkroom and alternative processes. In AP, the focus is on the portfolio each student submits to the College Board at the conclusion of the student’s senior year. Digital, wet labs, print finishing, and alternative processes labs, along with state of the art lighting studios, allow students to fully embrace all photographic methods.
