Middle SchoolThe visual arts program explores essential questions of art while integrating problem solving, critical thinking, art history, and technical skills. It fosters appreciation, passion, and understanding of the visual arts while nurturing the students’ artistic confidence and expression.
The Middle School Visual Arts Program is the decisive link between the foundation skills taught at the elementary level and the highly personal, complex problem-solving skills attained at the high school level. The sixth through eighth grade art experience is a twelve-week program where students immerse themselves in the curriculum. Our program strives to instill in our students a passion for the visual arts, at a time when their developmental sense of self and natural abilities are beginning to truly blossom. The curriculum encompasses Massachusetts Visual Arts Frameworks, essential questions, creative problem solving, art history, aesthetics, visual and media literacy, the elements and principles of design, as well as art assessment. The project assignments are sequential, building upon the previous year’s skills and include: drawing, color theory, perspective, painting, clay building, using a viewfinder, abstraction, design, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media and much more. There are two annual art shows and every student is represented in either the winter or spring show. Additional art opportunities are available at Tuesday’s after school “Art Club.” There, students can pursue additional time or an advanced focus in the painting studios, digital photography lab, pottery wheel/ceramics studios and more. High SchoolHigh school visual arts courses are organized by subject, not grade, and offer students a range of specialized options in both traditional media and new digital technologies. All students entering the program begin with Introduction to Art, which builds upon their knowledge of art history, aesthetics, and the elements and principles of art. Introduction to Art also serves as a survey of the various other courses offered by the department, allowing students to reinforce and strengthen basic skills and sample a wide variety of materials and approaches. From here students continue their art studies by selecting from quarter-long offerings in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Ceramics, Digital Photography I and II, Visual Communications, Special Projects, and a course run in conjunction with the English and Drama Departments entitled Narrative Filmmaking.
For advanced art students, the high school offers two semester-long courses: Studio Art and Portfolio. In Studio Art, students take on extensive, independent art projects, allowing them to pursue their own interests and let ideas develop in a more thoughtful and considered manner. In Portfolio, students build the collection of their work necessary for admission to art school, completing a variety of projects and preparing their pieces for submission. They also attend presentations from area colleges about further study and careers in the visual arts. A year-round Art Club provides students with access to the studios after school as well as opportunities to work with visiting artists or visit area museums and galleries. The Permanent Collection
In an effort to honor students for their creativity and dedication, each year the Visual Arts Department purchases exceptional works from graduating seniors. These works are put on permanent display as a way of honoring and remembering the achievements of the talented students who pass through the Visual Arts Program.
Funding for this collection has been provided by local citizen and school committee member Edmund Traverso in honor of his wife, Georgina Jill Traverso, both of whom are great art supporters. In time the collection will serve as a record of the many students who contributed to the visual arts at Ipswich High School. Visit the IHS Visual Arts Department website to view the collection.
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    2013 Boston Globe Scholastic Art Winners
The 2013 Boston Globe Scholastic Art awards have been announced, and Ipswich Middle and High School students have won a number of honors. 2013 marks the 63nd year of the competition in which student work is judged on the state level. Gold and Silver Key winners were on display at the State Transportation Building in Boston. Selected Gold Key winners went on to national judging. Congratulations to the following students.
Ipswich High School Winners GOLD KEY Emily Bradley, Photography Gabriel Goldfarb, Sculpture Sarah Nelson, Digital Art Katie Story, Graphic Design SILVER KEY Emily Bradley, Photography HONORABLE MENTION Sarah Nelson, Photography Jessica Putnam, Fashion Design Kody Selvo, Graphic Design Katie Story, Graphic Design Ipswich Middle School Winners GOLD KEY John Gardner, Sculpture SILVER KEY Jessica Laddin, Sculpture HONORABLE MENTION Chloe Rogers, Sculpture 
"Wishing On A Star" by Megan Parrella
 Supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council |
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