VISUAL ARTS
WELCOME TO THE VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
Duke Ellington School of the Arts teaches students the importance of art in society and the role that the artist plays in shaping human culture. The curriculum in the Visual Arts Department consists of drawing, painting, sculpture, computer graphics, and printmaking. The course sequence introduces our students to the elements and principles of art and design to prepare them for post-secondary training in the arts at the very best colleges, universities, and schools of art. We work to enhance students’ self-confidence and artistic consciousness. Students are exposed to traditional and contemporary styles and techniques from a diversity of cultures to broaden their horizons, so they become good citizens of the art world and of humankind. Our students become the next generation of museum professionals, decision-makers. They are directors, curators, museum educators, conservators, registrars, exhibit designers, and more.
A NOTE FROM THE
VISUAL ARTS CHAIR
The beauty of the artist is their ability to transcend class. We weave through society with our alchemy. The canvas cloth turns into a masterpiece because we willed it so.
To understand the Visual Arts Department is to know that we arm our scholars with the ability to reimagine what they can create and who they can be. Mike Easton described it best, "This journey is about you, discovering you."
What would society be without the documentation of the artist? Man created art before he could speak as a historical record. I am here. My experience matters. The tastemaker, the societal reminder of what was and what will be.
Our program teaches our students to understand and articulate form and concept at a level surpassing district, national, and global standards. The Visual Arts curriculum includes drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, art history, digital media, two-dimensional concepts, and professional practice. The goal is to give keys to a world deemed inaccessible. James Baldwin said, "If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don't see."
To that I reply, We love you madly.
Elana Casey
VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT CHAIR
"You can touch them with your eyes."
- Pablo Picasso quoted by Paloma, his daughter
MISSION STATEMENT
The Visual Arts department of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts teaches students the importance of art in society and the role that the artist plays in shaping human culture. The curriculum consists of drawing, painting, sculpture, computer graphics, and print making.
The course sequence introduces our students to the elements and principles of art and design to prepare them for post secondary training in the arts at the very best colleges, universities, and schools of art. Students are exposed to traditional and contemporary styles and techniques from a diversity of cultures to broaden their horizon.
STAY IN THE KNOW
VISUAL ARTS FAQS
UPCOMING EVENTS
INFORMATION ON VISUAL ART FEES
Duke Ellington students are required to pay a yearly activity
fee of $200, which directly benefits the arts department in which they are enrolled. This fee should be paid at the time of registration but can be paid in installments. Money orders and checks should be made payable to DESAP (in the memo portion of the check: Visual Arts Department).
These fees help provide the “must haves” that include, but are not limited to: mats, paints, charcoal, canvas, large format printer ink, art paper and guest panelists.
