Art is an integral part of our lives, culture and history. Cultures rich in the arts have long been the ones studied, revered and sought after.

Here at University School, there is a long tradition of boys working with their hands and discovering the world around them through visual and kinetic means. During their first through fifth grade years in art, we strive to develop those fine motor skills and to encourage their spatial abilities to grow.

All boys in the Lower School Art program will focus on four areas of learning: Art History, Aesthetics, Art Making and the Language of Art (which includes the Elements of Art and Principles of Design). Through these areas, the boys will develop a deeper understanding of the world around them, as well as how they can contribute to our culture.

In first grade, boys focus on line, shape, color, texture, pattern and balance. They work on projects relating to their themes such as self-portraits, color mixing, clay animals, cityscapes, and perspective.

In second grade, they add the elements and principles of space, emphasis and contrast to the above. They learn how to draw animals, create warm and cool colors, clay methods, and they study and copy the works of great masters.

In third grade the boys discover art symbols, reflective symmetry, sculpture-in-the-round, weaving concepts, clay coiling techniques as well as learning about the artistically rich cultures of Native Americans, Egypt and Australia.

In fourth grade, the boys are now exposed to all seven elements of art and all seven principles of design. They explore colored pencil and printmaking techniques, model magic, acrylic paint, Sumi-e ink, design challenges and increasing focus on individual creativity.