The mission of the Visual Art Department is to instill an understanding that art making is an innate part of what it means to be human. Students gain technical skills, personal voice, and a sense of accomplishment through a creative journey of reflection and revision supported by a community that embodies the values of curiosity and individuality.

 

The visual art department at Priory provides nurturing yet challenging learning environment that unites ancient and modern technologies with media specific curriculum in a diverse set of  2D, 3D, courses from introductory level to Advanced Placement. Students begin in-depth art exploration during quarter long courses in middle school, followed by year long courses in high school. With the exception of AP Studio Art, all courses are open to students and grade level, without prerequisites. By the end of the first course students will have gained design abilities, technical skills and essential vocabulary specific to the discipline of the course. Enrolling in a second, third or fourth art course will provide additional skills to students who seek deeper levels of personal expression and accomplishment by building upon previous coursework to conduct independent studies, experience a range of art making, or the completion of a portfolio.

By design, Upper School year-long courses in the Fine Arts Department are intended to be taken in their entirety.  Skills and content are developed linearly and to protect the classroom experience for all those enrolled, students are not allowed to join a course mid-year.  Exceptions must be approved by the Department Chair and Academic Dean and may be made only for non-matriculating students or for seniors filling a graduation requirement with the understanding that students must complete external work to make up the curricular requirements of the first semester of instruction.