Visual Arts
Lower School SCHOOL VISUAL ARTS
The Lower School Visual Arts program at Thaden combines foundational development in tactile skills with experiential learning and play. Through this play and experimentation, they will engage collaboratively, learning to work together, share tools and materials, and be a connected part of a safe and creative learning environment. They will build an arts vocabulary in order to be able to discuss professional works of arts and arts concepts and ask questions about their own art. They will experience art as visual language and as another way to express their thoughts and identities.
MIDDLE SCHOOL VISUAL ARTS
The Thaden Middle School Visual Arts program introduces students to the formal qualities of art as a vehicle for developing observational skills and artistic expression. Students experiment with many different types of media with many techniques and 2-D and 3-D processes, such as ceramics, acrylic, and charcoal. Group reflection is introduced as a means of understanding the interdisciplinary role of art in society and how to express one’s opinion with purpose. Every course develops or extends on digital portfolios that allow students to document and reflect on their artistic process. As a program, Thaden School is uniquely positioned to utilize local resources – such as the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary – to expose students to local artists and contemporary and historical works of art. Students also have the opportunity to engage in art clubs and art exhibitions at the local and state level.
UPPER SCHOOL VISUAL ARTS
In the Thaden School Upper School Visual Art Program, students build on artistic knowledge, skills, and techniques through various unique electives. The Arts courses offer a breadth of opportunities from technical skill development with guided instruction to expressive “meaning-making” projects and choice-based sustained investigation. Courses also expose students to various historical and contemporary artists, art styles, and art vocabulary that broaden their understanding of the complex role of visual art in society. Students can choose from various mediums, from fiber arts to acrylic painting to ceramics, to name a few. They are encouraged to navigate complex topics to develop more personal themes and narratives in their work. Every course develops or extends a digital portfolio that allows students to document and reflect on their artistic process. All students also participate in exhibitions to showcase their work. As a program, Thaden School is uniquely positioned to utilize local resources – such as the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Momentary and the Arts program at the University of Arkansas – to expose students to rising local artists and contemporary and historical works of art. Students also have the opportunity to engage in art clubs and art exhibitions at the local and state level.
Student Accolades
Arts Across Arkansas - Three students were selected as the Arts Across Program finalists: David Rios ‘26, Hayoung Song ‘26, and Addison Reibling ‘25. David Rios won first place for the state of Arkansas!
Arkansas Young Artist Association Competition and Convention - Four students received awards: Sophie Novick ‘23 2nd Place - Portraits Realistic, 4th Place - On-Site Pencil/Graphite; David Rios ‘26 1st Place - First-Year Painting, 4th Place - Ceramics Nonfunctional; Austin Krug ‘25 Honorable Mention - Digital Imagery; Anna Raymond ‘23 1st Place - On-Site Competition Sculpture, 2nd Place - Ceramics Functional, 3rd Place - Printmaking - Relief, Honorable Mention-Ceramics Nonfunctional
Competitive Summer Programs - artWAYS and University of Arkansas School of Art’s Summer Arts Workshops - Upper school students Meadow McGinnis ‘25, Adam Roth ‘26, and Eleanor Deschamps ‘26 were selected for arts programs during the summer of 2023.
Arkansas Arts Educators Regional Art Show - Faith Friddle ‘25 won first place for Grade 10 for her painting, and Mason Strimbu ‘24 won first place for Grade 11 for his drawing. These students’ works will go onto a statewide exhibition.
Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest - Autumn Nguyen placed 1st, Eliza Stewart placed 2nd, and CJ Pack placed 3rd in the Grade 7 competition.
Shows and Exhibitions
- Thaden Visual Arts Showcases
- Arts Across Arkansas
- Arkansas Young Artist Association
- artWAYS
- University of Arkansas School of Arts Summer Arts Workshop
- Young Arkansas Artist Exhibition and Competition
- Arkansas Arts Educators Regional Art Show
- Southern Teachers Student Art Contest
- Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest
- Congressional Arts Competition