The Visual Arts program at Fredericksburg Christian allows students and their teachers to express the artistic abilities given to them by our Creator God. Our goal is to utilize creativity to reflect biblical principles and to glorify the Lord.
There are great benefits to exposing students to visual art. Since visual art is spatial, students tap into the right side of the brain. According to Betty Edwards, author of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, the “right brain” approach teaches students to see things differently. Students will learn problem-solving skills that contribute to other parts of their education, whether preparing visual aides for reports or understanding graphing, diagramming, and interpreting charts.
Lower School
Beginning in Kindergarten, students in our Lower School take part in Art class once per week. During Art class each week, your student will have the opportunity to analyze the Elements of Art found in Creation (Genesis 1:1) by the Creator, and in the works of famous artists from around the world! Your student will also have the opportunity to apply the Elements of Art to a project using their own unique style.
The Lower School visual arts curriculum focuses on building a Biblical worldview of Art and on gaining insight into prominent artist’s worldviews in light of scripture. Your student will be developing age appropriate skills using a variety of art media, and they will also be challenged to think and to be creative as God designed them to be (Genesis 1:20). In addition, through the art process, they will learn that all people are vulnerable to mistakes, but that we can make choices to correct those mistakes. A beautiful picture of God, our Creator, forgiving our mistakes and enabling us to correct them (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Each Spring, we culminate our visual arts program with a school-wide Spring Art Show. Students’ pieces are judged by an outside source for effort and attention to the concepts taught. Artwork from every class is selected to become a part of the Spring Art Show, with awards and a reception at the Upper School.
Upper School
In the Upper School, our Visual Arts program integrates biblical truth, so that every activity is centered on Jesus Christ. The content and quality of our students’ creative expressions are consistently influenced by this biblical worldview.
Middle & High school students have a variety of visual arts classes available to them. We begin by introducing students to the formal elements of art and allowing them to explore various media. As their education continues, students develop a deeper understanding of what art is and how to creatively express themselves through producing artwork that develops their skills and reflects a Christ-like mindset.
Further into our Visual Arts courses, students will develop skills of observation, demonstrate aesthetic growth through visual discrimination and judgment, and become more fully involved in the experience of visual arts. All of this is accomplished through hands-on learning, lectures, demonstrations, class discussions, and field trips.
At the high school level, students can elect to continue their formal art studies through course offerings such as Drawing, Painting, 3D Art, and even Photography.
