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Art Program

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We love meeting and talking with future Rams! Our team looks forward to assisting you throughout the admissions process.

admissions@wna.org

410-658-9279

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Trish Kuhlman

Art Department Chair

The Best Maryland Boarding School Art Program

Art is a vibrant and integral part of the West Nottingham Academy experience, offering students countless opportunities to explore and express their creativity. Whether they are just beginning their artistic journey or are experienced creators, students engage in a diverse array of visual art programs designed to inspire and challenge. Beyond the classroom, WNA integrates the arts into everyday student life through enriching trips to museums, live musical performances, and theatrical productions, fostering a deep appreciation for the arts and their cultural significance.

Eric Fischl ’66 Artist-in-Residence Teaching Program

West Nottingham Academy is proud to be partnered with the New York Academy of Art and the renowned artist Eric Fischl for the Eric Fischl ’66 Artist-in-Residence Teaching Program. Each school year, two visiting graduates of the New York Academy of Art live and work on campus, teaching classes and working on pieces to exhibit to our community. Students with a greater interest in art can apply for the Aspiring Artists Program, which guarantees one-on-one time with the Artist-in-Residence. This program gives students the benefit of working with professional artists and allows them to witness the dedication that produces great works of contemporary art.

Aspiring Artist Program

In conjunction with its Eric Fischl ’66 Artist-in-Residence Teaching Program, West Nottingham Academy offers a program for deserving applicants with a serious interest in the study of visual arts. Program benefits include:
  • Workshops with visiting Artists-in-Residence on scheduled weekend afternoons
  • Personal studio space
  • Personalized college planning and art college visits
  • Student gallery shows
 
Applicants will be considered based on their artistic achievement and potential, engagement in the school community, and overall solid character. This program is offered to 7 students per year.

On-Campus Art Facilities

West Nottingham Academy prides itself on having four art studios on campus, in addition to our Aspiring Artists studios. Our studio spaces are outfitted with a digital lab, access to Adobe Creative Cloud products, Canon DSLR cameras, iPads for digital drawing, a ceramic studio with pottery wheels and an electric kiln, and an etching press for a variety of printmaking possibilities. These spaces allow studio art students to draw, paint, and sculpt in a wide range of materials, work with ceramics, printmaking, and a variety of other media. Digital art and photography students learn the manual functions of the DSLR camera and work in our computer lab with Adobe programs Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, as well as use iPads to explore advanced digital illustration techniques. The art facilities also include the Joseph R. and Paul W. Gates Gallery, where both professional and student artists exhibit work.

The Classroom Experience

All freshmen take our Freshman Art class which is an introductory course that encourages and develops creativity and an understanding of how to communicate and express visually. The creative process is one that can be developed and even those who believe they are not innately imaginative have the opportunity to discover their ability to generate ideas. This class covers a variety of approaches to art making including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and more. Art history is touched upon as well to provide a deeper understanding of art’s place in our lives.
Sophomores participate in Design Applications, a class in which they explore the world of design through real-world applications, developing essential skills in creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Design Applications introduces students to the fundamental principles of design and the systematic design process, which includes research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration. Throughout the course, students will work on a variety of projects that challenge them to apply these principles in innovative ways across multiple disciplines, including graphic design, product design, architecture, and more.
 
Beyond freshman and sophomore year, our art program offers a diverse range of Studio Art and Digital Art classes designed to nurture creativity and develop technical mastery. Students have the unique opportunity to work with our talented artists-in-residence, gaining hands-on experience in drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture, each tailored to the artist’s specialty. These experiences are further enriched by studio courses that deepen skills in these disciplines. In our state-of-the-art digital lab, students explore photography, graphic design, and yearbook production, blending traditional artistry with modern technology. Advanced students can pursue AP Studio Art, where they are challenged to create a cohesive portfolio, or our Portfolio Development class, which offers tailored guidance for students preparing for art college.
 
Our department also celebrates creativity beyond the visual arts, offering both drama and film classes. In drama, students explore acting, stagecraft, and performance, gaining confidence and collaboration skills as they bring stories to life. In film, students learn the art of storytelling through the lens, diving into scriptwriting, cinematography, editing, and production. Together, these courses provide a well-rounded arts education, empowering students to discover and develop their passions across a wide spectrum of creative disciplines.
 
Students wishing to continue their art education at a visual arts school can use these portfolios to apply to art programs. Students have in recent years been accepted to Rhode Island School of Design, School of the Chicago Institute of Art, Maryland Institute College of Art, School of Visual Arts, ArtCenter College of Design, Otis College of Art and Design, Ringling College of Art and Design, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, and Savannah College of Art and Design.