Art - IMADA

Visual Arts Curriculum

Overview
The Visual Arts Department believes that studying the visual arts is fundamental to human development and the human experience. The visual arts nurture and validate inspiration, intuition, creativity, and the recognition of beauty through study, practice, and reflection. Contributing beyond their intrinsic value, the visual arts benefit a range of learning environments, the local community, and society at large. Students are challenged to develop their aesthetic sense, problem solve, and to better understand and respect themselves and others through their study of the visual arts.

Middle School

The 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.

Ipswich Middle School Artwork

High School

High 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.

_Pearl, the Miniature Horse,
Visits Ipswich Middle School

In 2011 and again in 2018, Ms. Eaton's art classes at the Ipswich Middle school had a very special model. Pearl's visit to the school produced some wonderful artwork and was way too fun!

2018 Art Winners

Johannah Johnson - Gold Key (pictured above) & Honorable Mention
Christopher Falcione - Silver Key
Dylan Murray - 2 Silver Keys
Ian Profenno - Honorable Mention
Talia Queeney- Honorable Mention

High School Art Competition 2018
Superstars at Endicott College

In recognition of aspiring young artists from the region, Endicott College hosts the Seventh annual High School Art Competition. The exhibit presents works in different media from 35 high schools. The following IHS students are exhibiting works:
Painting by Johannah Johnson
Screen-print by Zoe Ciaramentaro
Fabric Art by Kattrine Moldonado (1st Place Winner below)

Meredith Lynn - Permanent Collection 2017

Congressional Art Show Reception & Awards

The Sixth Congressional District High School Art Competition and Exhibition will be held March 15-17, hosted by Montserrat College of Art and sponsored by Congressman Seth Moulton. Six IHS students are participating. The awards reception will be held Saturday March 17 from 3:30-5 pm at the college's 301 Cabot Street Gallery in Beverly.

IMS Art Students - 2016

Supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council