Jackson Day School crestJackson Day SchoolPREPARE · INSPIRE · BELONG
Two students creating a painted portrait in art class
Arts & Electives

Visual Arts

Create. Explore. Express.

At Jackson Day School, Visual Arts gives students from Kindergarten through 12th grade opportunities to create, experiment, and develop their own artistic voice. Students work with a variety of media, build artistic skills, and learn to see the world through an artist’s lens. The result is a program that inspires creativity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

CREATE · EXPERIMENT · REFLECT · EXPRESS
← Arts & Electives

A K–12 Visual Arts Experience

Art Grows With Our Students.

From early exploration to advanced study, JDS Visual Arts provides a creative journey that builds skills, confidence, and personal expression at every stage.

Colorful elementary student balloon dog sculptures
ELEMENTARY · K–5

Discover

General Art is part of the elementary specials rotation. Students are introduced to art-making through hands-on experiences with different materials, techniques, and forms of creative expression. The emphasis is on exploration, creativity, confidence, and exposure to the arts.
Student drawing combining sports imagery with colorful geometric patterns
MIDDLE SCHOOL · 6–8

Develop

Middle School Visual Art electives provide a more structured experience. Students strengthen foundational skills, explore a wider variety of media, and begin refining their individual artistic strengths and abilities. Students move beyond simply making art to thinking and talking more intentionally about the artistic process.
High school student artwork displayed at a showcase
HIGH SCHOOL · 9–12

Find Your Voice

  • Beginning Visual Art
  • Intermediate Visual Art
  • Advanced Visual Art
High School courses build upon previous experiences while giving students increasing opportunities for personal choice, reflection, critique, and the development of an individual artistic voice.

Explore Different Ways to Create

Students experiment with a variety of media and art forms, including:

Drawing example

Drawing

Develop observation, composition, line, value, and technique.

Painting example

Painting

Explore color, composition, materials, and personal expression.

Sculpture example

Sculpture

Create three-dimensional artwork while developing design and construction skills.

Ceramics example

Ceramics

Explore clay, form, texture, and three-dimensional design.

Fiber Arts example

Fiber Arts

Experiment with textile and fiber-based processes.

Printmaking example

Printmaking

Learn techniques for creating and reproducing original designs.

Paper Engineering example

Paper Engineering

Combine creativity, design, construction, and problem-solving.

Digital Media example

Digital Media

Explore technology as another tool for artistic creation and communication.

Learning Through Creating

Hands-On. Creative. Reflective.

Students learn through hands-on projects and activities that encourage experimentation and artistic growth.

  • Develop technical artistic skills
  • Apply the Elements and Principles of Art
  • Experiment with different materials and processes
  • Think critically about artwork
  • Talk and write about art
  • Reflect on their own creative process
  • Develop personal expression and artistic voice
  • Build confidence in their abilities

Beyond the Art Classroom

Create It. Share It.

Student artwork has opportunities to move beyond the classroom through:

  • Visual Art Showcases
  • School-Wide Programming
  • Art Clubs
  • Competitions
  • Community Events
  • Leadership Opportunities

Students may also showcase their work within and beyond the JDS community.

Why Visual Arts at JDS?

Creative Outlet

A meaningful way to explore ideas, emotions, experiences, and imagination.

Inclusive Arts Community

Students of all interests and skill levels can find a place to create, contribute, and belong.

Skill Development

Students develop artistic techniques, creative thinking, communication, reflection, and problem-solving skills.

Student Art Gallery

IN THE STUDIO · STUDENT ARTWORK · SHOWCASES · ART IN OUR COMMUNITY

Select a photo to see a larger view of student artwork, showcase displays, and creative projects.

Meet Our Visual Arts Teachers

Jen Bennie

Jen Bennie

Visual Arts

Mrs. Bennie is passionate about helping students explore their creativity and develop their artistic voice.

Hannah Lucas

Hannah Lucas

Visual Arts

Mrs. Lucas loves guiding students as they experiment, create, and discover the power of art to express and connect.

Imagine. Create. Become.

Every artist begins by exploring. At JDS, students are given the space to experiment, develop their skills, find their voice, and discover where creativity can take them.

PREPARE · INSPIRE · BELONG