Visual Arts
At Oak Hill Academy, our art program encourages creativity, individual expression, and artistic exploration. We foster a welcoming environment where students can experiment with different artistic techniques while developing an appreciation for art history and design. Each grade level studies at least five artists and several art movements while engaging in diverse art methods, including ceramics, printmaking, drawing, painting, and functional design.
Respect and Artistic Growth
We emphasize respect for our own work, the work of others, and the materials we use. Through our projects, students learn valuable skills such as setup, cleanup, following directions, time management, and self-critique. Each piece of art builds upon past experiences, helping students refine their skills and grow artistically.
Student Artwork on Display
Student artwork is proudly displayed throughout the school in bulletin boards and display cases. Additionally, students have the opportunity to enter contests such as the Red Bank Crop Walk Poster Contest and Doodle 4 Google Art Contest. First through seventh-grade students also contribute to the annual Oak Hill Academy school calendar with selected artwork.
Weather permitting, students in many grades enjoy outdoor drawing sessions on campus. Across all grade levels, students explore the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, focusing on value, movement, composition, and balance. Every student completes at least one ceramic project, designing and glazing clay pieces fired in our in-class kiln. Depending on the grade level, students work with various mediums, including pencil, pen, pastel, watercolor, and acrylic paint.
Grade-Level Art Curriculum
1st Grade
First graders are introduced to fundamental art concepts, including color theory, composition, and symmetry. They complete a pinch method ceramic project, explore primary and secondary colors, and practice scissor skills through cutting-based projects. They also study Vincent Van Gogh, learning how to draw facial features and create a self-portrait. Additional projects include Y-tree watercolor paintings and model magic sculptures.
2nd Grade
Second graders continue exploring primary colors while studying Piet Mondrian, creating Mondrian-inspired animals. They experiment with printmaking techniques using foam sheets and ink rollers. Their ceramic project consists of hand-built ceramic cupcakes. Inspired by Eric Carle, students create imaginary animals from cut paper. They also study Romare Bearden, Henry Matisse, and Marcel Duchamp to create a ripped paper collage.
3rd Grade
Third-grade students construct a coil pot with Model Magic, learning about color mixing and complementary colors. Using the slab method, they create hanging hand-imprinted ceramic plaques. They explore Cubism through a Pablo Picasso-inspired self-portrait and experiment with watercolor pencils in a Color Collision project. They also experience drawing under tables like Michelangelo and create warm and cool color chameleons.
4th Grade
Fourth graders create mini ceramic bowls using the slab method. They study Paul Gauguin, using acrylic paint to create seasonal paintings, and draw self-portraits inspired by Frida Kahlo. They explore foreground, middle ground, and background, developing an understanding of depth and perspective in composition.
5th Grade
Fifth graders deepen their understanding of the Elements of Art and color theory, mixing their own secondary and tertiary colors. They create a splatter painting inspired by Jackson Pollock, an oil pastel flower drawing inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe, and a woven Mexican God’s Eye. Their ceramic project consists of a hanging relief plaque, and they explore Pop Art with Andy Warhol, Non-Objective art with Wassily Kandinsky, and Surrealism with Salvador Dalí and Frida Kahlo.
6th Grade
Sixth graders study the Principles of Design, learning how to draw buildings using one-point perspective with a vanishing point and horizon line. They construct a ceramic slab vessel and create a miniature Model Magic balloon dog sculpture inspired by Jeff Koons. Inspired by Henri Rousseau, students create jungle scenes with watercolor pencils, and they study Chuck Close, drawing a funny face self-portrait using the grid method. Additional projects include weaving a wall hanging on a cardboard loom and drawing birds with oil pastels on black paper.
7th Grade
Seventh-grade students explore positive and negative space by creating geometric designs inspired by M.C. Escher. They study Georges Seurat and practice pointillism, construct ceramic bowls using any hand-building method, and draw sunflowers inspired by Vincent Van Gogh using oil pastels on black paper. They participate in an outdoor drawing session of the school, with one drawing selected for the school calendar cover. Other projects include mandala designs focusing on symmetry, monochromatic color studies, and tie-dying t-shirt..
8th Grade
Eighth graders study Keith Haring, Pop Art and Graffiti. They advance their watercolor painting techniques, creating a beach scene. They construct ceramic slump bowls or spoon rests and use a compass to design a scaled circle composition. Additional projects include straw-blown liquid watercolor designs, microcalligraphy drawings, paper quilling, and portrait drawing with proper facial proportions. Students also work on an independent project, choosing their medium and artistic inspiration. Additionally, they use AI to create an art history presentation on an artist of their choice.
The Oak Hill Academy art program provides a dynamic and enriching experience, allowing students to explore a broad range of artistic techniques while developing confidence and creativity. Through hands-on projects, art history studies, and exposure to diverse materials, students build strong artistic foundations that will serve them in future creative endeavors.
