The Visual Art Academy course focuses on making and exploring images and forms in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture. This course is studio-based and requires independent art practice, encouraging you to take greater ownership of your creative journey.

You will be encouraged to work in a more independent manner within a studio environment, developing and experimenting with a variety of techniques and processes to refine and reflect a personal aesthetic. Through hands-on exploration, you will create a diverse range of artworks that showcase your growing skills in 2D and 3D art forms.

You will have opportunities to apply decision-making skills to discover the most effective ways to communicate ideas by combining art elements, principles, and knowledge of materials. Working with drawing, printmaking, ceramics, and sculptural techniques, you will refine your ability to problem-solve, develop compositions, and push creative boundaries.

Through comparative analysis of artworks from a range of cultures, times, and locations, you will learn to discuss and describe how artists and artworks communicate and challenge ideas and meaning. Your understanding of different artistic styles, techniques, and historical influences will extend your awareness and enhance your ability to approach new challenges in your own art-making.

Throughout this course, you will maintain a studio workbook that documents and justifies your selection, refinement, and presentation in the art-making process. You will also have the opportunity to engage with the wider art world through:

• Working with an artist to gain real-world insights and inspiration
• Visiting exhibitions to experience professional artworks firsthand
• Participating in a final exhibition to showcase your work to the community

This art-studio-based course lays a strong foundation for further studies in Visual Arts in Senior School and beyond, fostering creativity, independence, and a deeper understanding of artistic expression.