Visual Arts

Students study visual arts with a dedicated art teacher from preschool through 8^th grade. They are introduced to a variety of techniques and mediums, including architectural design, drawing, three-dimensional artwork, ceramics, collage, mixed media, printmaking, painting, fiber arts, and glass fusing. Each division has a dedicated art studio with a wide variety of materials and resources for exploration and creativity, including five pottery wheels, a clay kiln, two glass kilns, a slab roller, and a clay extruder. In addition, students learn about a variety of artists - both historical and working, and the visual vocabulary of art.

Visual Arts by Division

Early Childhood

Preschool and kindergarten students explore a process-based art studio with their peers during weekly art classes. They discover new artists, tools, and ways to express themselves creatively. Students become familiar with several mediums, including two-and three-dimensional art, drawing, collage work, clay, and paint. A collaborative fine arts experience featuring early childhood artists and middle school musicians takes place in early fall.

Lower School

Art classes become more frequent in 1st - 4th grade, allowing for more in-depth art exploration and appreciation. Emerging units of study encourage creativity and understanding as students gain extra time in the studio to explore specific artistic interests. Daily stations include observational drawings, collage work, sculpture, clay, and paint. Photography and documentation allow students to navigate new and sustainable ways to share their artwork. All students have the opportunity to plan and present in one of two collaborative art exhibits throughout the year.

Middle School

Students utilize critical thinking skills as they develop an understanding of expression through art. National Art Education Association art principles and element foundations are formally introduced, and students begin to explore their art with an analytic and thought-provoking approach. Students are urged to be creative, plan their ideas, engage their imagination, and develop perceptual awareness. Students enjoy the exploration of contemporary art and materials such as clay, photography, printmaking, digital media, and drawing.

Whenever possible, the visual arts program is enriched by school-wide themed projects, visiting artist workshops, service-learning experiences, and art museum or event field trips.

Dedicated Art Gallery

Student artwork can be found on display throughout our hallways and in our dedicated art gallery housed in the Laura and Jack Boyd Smith, Jr. Performing Arts Center. The art gallery offers the opportunity for dedicated art exhibitions featuring various grade levels and topics relevant to current classroom curriculum or happenings in our local community. Students also work with a local guest artist each year to create a collaborate art exhibit.

Lower school students working alongside local guest artist

Lower school students collaborating with local artist Freddy Rodriguez to create a kindness mural.

Tiger Talk Blog - Arts Features

Meet Our Faculty

Sarah Lotter
Art Teacher (Preschool - 3rd Grade)

B.S. in Psychology from Indiana University
M.S. in Child Development from Erikson Institute

Mrs. Lotter understands that children need opportunities to ask questions, look at things differently, explore their emotions and take in new perspectives. She continues to be inspired by other artists and more importantly, the curious child. She takes pride in providing children with unique, open-ended materials that offer an invitation to explore and create collaboratively. Through her interpretation of the Reggio Emilia approach and her extensive background in child development, Sarah enhances and guides children’s exposure to new art concepts and provide authentic and respectful documentation of that learning process.

Jess Loyd
Art Teacher (4th - 8th Grade)

B.A. in Studio Arts, Education from Saint Mary's College
MFA in Interdisciplinary Art, University of Reno - Lake Tahoe (December 2023)

Mrs. Loyd came to Stanley Clark after serving as the Curator of Education at the South Bend Museum of Art for over a decade. Her previous experience in making art accessible to the community and teaching children through adults how to look at art and make art was her springboard into art education. Her passion for teaching curiosity, creativity, connectedness, courage, and confidence is wrapped up in every lesson, unit, and conversation with her students. Learning to think, explore creatively, and help her students discover their passion is always the goal in the studio. She has continued her education through awarded residencies at the Vermont Studio Center, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Maine, Glen Arbor Art Association, and Alfred University Summer Ceramic Arts. Her work has been included in the Indiana Governor's Show, and she is a member of the Indiana Women's Caucus for Art.