Visual Arts

Hero

Student artwork hangs in nearly every building on the CA campus. It’s not uncommon to see young artists inspecting the work of older students as they gain inspiration and ideas for their future creations.

Colorado Academy celebrates creativity throughout the year, whether it’s appreciating student work throughout campus or bringing together the Pre-K-Grade 12 community to participate in the creative process.

In the fall, the Sculpture Garden is abuzz with students drawing and painting outdoors during The Big Draw. The Pre-K through Grade 8 Showcase spotlights the works of our Lower School and Middle School artists each winter. In the spring, CA Seniors participate in the Portfolio Program, collaborating with their fellow student artists to curate and present their exhibitions in the Ponzio Arts Gallery.

The year wraps up with the All-School Arts Festival in May, a fun-filled outdoor event where students from each division connect to create larger-than-life artworks and embrace the joy of making.

Lower School

Starting in Pre-Kindergarten, our Lower School art program ignites creativity and encourages a lifelong love for art. Young artists explore various two-dimensional and three-dimensional media while also developing their technical abilities.

By blending exploratory-based learning with skill-building, students build a strong and enthusiastic foundation in the visual arts.

Middle School

Our Middle School artists are exposed to a range of visual art classes, and we encourage them to try as many disciplines as they can. In Grade Six, they take part in an arts rotation that includes studio art in two-dimensional and three-dimensional media.

In Grades Seven and Eight, artists have an opportunity to try a variety of trimester electives, including studio art, photography, ceramics, and videography.

Upper School

In Upper School, many artists begin to specialize in an area of their choice, while others may continue to take full advantage of our diverse offerings. Artists who pursue visual arts at an advanced level may apply to the Senior Portfolio program, a renowned experience that allows them to experience the process of a contemporary artist by creating their own body of work, exploring curation and the local Denver arts scene, and collaborating to put together a Senior exhibition in the Ponzio Arts Gallery.

The Portfolio program has allowed me to dive deeper into a subject that really matters to me, and portray it through ceramics. Ms. Maher has been there through every step of the way, recommending podcasts, books, and even music. It has solidified my desire to study the human mind and give back to the community. I can say that thanks to the Portfolio program, I have been able to learn more about myself as a person and this has helped me build strong relationships and a stronger sense of self.

Tiffany Hernandez Najera, Class of 2025

Visual Arts Courses for Upper School Students

Courses available to US students at Colorado Academy include: Ceramics & Advanced Ceramics / Digital Art / Introduction to Architectural Drawing / Photography & Advanced Photography / Studio Art / Videography & Advanced Videography / Advanced 2D Art / Senior Portfolio ASR / Yearbook

View Curriculum Guide