The Visual Arts
The Visual Arts program at St. Thomas Aquinas High School offers several outlets for students to develop and explore their creativity.
Students who enroll in one of our three visual arts courses (Art I, Art II, Graphic Design) gain daily experience in formal instruction and studio practice. Students develop conceptual foundations of Art and Design, art criticism, and techniques in various media. Instruction is based on a framework that promotes individual student growth in transferrable, creative problem-solving skills.
The Art Club, one of the school’s largest and most active clubs, is a another great way for young artists at STA to get involved and meet others who share their interests. The Art Club often chooses to meet at least once per week, and the members choose the focus and scope of the group’s activities. In recent years, Art Club has engaged in service projects for the school, hosted holiday themed parties and field trips, and tried their hands at many media and techniques through after-school lessons. Another hallmark of the Art Club is collaborations with other clubs, such as an afternoon of tie dye with the Science Club, sand mandalas with the International Club, and “Maker Monday” 3D design sessions with Science and Engineering clubs.
Students at STA frequently have the opportunity to showcase their work in the community through partnerships with local galleries such as the Zimmerli Museum at Rutgers University and the Barron Arts Center in Woodbridge.