Students will study art history as well as deepen their understanding of the faith through exposure to the great visual works of the Catholic artistic tradition. Powers of observation and art appreciation will be encouraged as classical skills are developed in drawing and painting. During the 2023-2024 academic year, beauty in relation to key images of the modern period will be discussed using St. Thomas Aquinas’ criteria for the beautiful: wholeness, proportion, and radiance. Art projects will aim to engage students in the creative process while instilling in them an appreciation for the various forms and works of art of the early modern period. Young artists will have the opportunity to develop visual language and technical skills in drawing, painting, sculpting, and other media as they study works from this time period. Intermediate students will complete weekly sketching exercises to aid them in developing these skills. This coming year, students will be working with acrylics, alcohol inks and mixed media.