In the school district of Philadelphia, 109 schools (41%) lack an art teacher. It has been shown that students who study art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and 3 times more likely to be awarded for school attendance.

Harriton is very lucky to have an outstanding visual arts program that enables students to explore different expressions of art. Our school offers about 23 different visual arts classes ranging from Metal Arts to 3d Art Studio.

Ceramics

You can make anything in ceramics. Using hand-building techniques such as pinch, coil, and slab, you can create boxes, jars, and much more. As the class becomes more advanced, the potter’s wheel comes into play.

Julia Lawless, a Junior in ceramics 4, enjoys ceramics because “you can be creative and weird and that is expected and embraced.” Once the construction of a piece is done, it is put in a furnace to fire the pottery. Then, the artist can design his or her work with glaze to add color and patterns.

Metal Arts

Making wearable art is a perk of this class. Addie Heifetz, who took the class as a sophomore, stated, “You start with an idea and sketch it out. Then you go through a really long process where your piece won’t look quite the way you want it to yet. And then at the very end it’s amazing to see that everything turned out way better than you expected. It’s wonderful to see the finished piece.”

Throughout the course you not only learn how to create jewelry, containers, and mobiles but you also learn about metal arts design of different cultures.

Film/Photography

Film and Photography allows you to explore the world from behind a lens. While studying film, you watch blockbuster films such as Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock and Duel by Steven Spielberg.

During the study of photography, you learn the tricks of Photoshop and how to capture an image from multiple angles.

David Naftulin, who took the class his freshman year, recalled, “There was a lot of photographic diversity. We took pictures of a lot of different things with a lot of different techniques, which was great.”

After taking the class you can confidently create your own movie and take pictures that are extremely Instagram worthy.

IB Art

Unlike other visual arts classes at Harriton, IB art is mostly independent. What you study and draw at home and in a personal research notebook is solely based on your interests. The class starts by analyzing a piece of art in order to learn how to critique artwork.

Kaitlin Noel, a senior in IB, stated, “This class changed the way I view art. I never had much thought to the process of making pieces, but now I have such an appreciation for artists and the creativity and talent that goes into their work. You don’t have to be the best artist to like art!”

Art

Art classes at Harriton focus on developing a larger art portfolio and furthering your skills in drawing and design.

“I really like how art is a nice break. It’s a time I get away from the stress of my other classes. I am able to add little details throughout a piece that make it my own,” one art student said.

In this class you study color theory and composition while looking at sculptures, digital media, painting and much more. If you have an open spot on your schedule you should definitely consider joining an art class.

Mrs. Carter’s sign, “Without art the Earth is just eh,” is true!