In addition to its academic programs, Grace School offers a rich variety of courses in performing and visual arts. These courses enable students to explore, experiment, and encourage the advance of their own particular interest, and talents.
The arts are integral to the Primary, Lower, and Middle School programs with instruction increasing in depth and complexity with each grade level.
Lower School Art
In kindergarten and first grade, students are taught art history, the elements and principles of art, and basic drawing skills such as value (light and dark tones), line, shape, texture, and pattern. Books are a source of inspiration for their projects and are incorporated into their curriculum. In second and third grade, students begin to explore spatial relationships between objects through still-life drawing. Projects consist of many different art mediums, including water colors, clay, and oil pastels. Styles of both traditional and contemporary artists are learned and incorporated into projects.
Fourth graders paint using value (light and dark tones), create multiple sketches for displaying artists’ styles, and begin to learn a drawing technique called mapping.
In fifth grade, drawing skills are enhanced by reinforcing the mapping method learned in fourth grade. Students also learn to make objects look three dimensional through the use of shading.
Middle School Art
In the middle school years, problem solving and critical thinking skills continue to be challenged as students experience developmentally appropriate art processes. The program strives to encourage each student’s unique creativity. Projects are designed so that students can experience success regardless of their artistic ability.
The Middle School art curriculum is cumulative, building on previously mastered skills. Sculpture, canvas painting, weaving, and ceramics are used to stimulate the creative mind. Grace School students participate in competitions including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Contest.