Welcome to the Visual Arts Department.

The Center for the Arts was opened 27 years ago and was the first Art School in the County. In addition to a separate campus we also have our own Art Gallery showcasing student and professional artists. The Exhibitions are completely student run. This involves creating artwork, jurying, matting and framing, hanging, lighting, publicity and catering. This experience is exclusive to our school.

Students at Cypress are passionate about art and have many opportunities to explore a variety of subject matter, media and techniques. We offer over 15 courses from beginner level to Advanced Placement college courses. Our program is rigorous, but our high expectations ensure student success on many levels. For example, we have had a 100 percent pass rate for Advanced Placement students for 10 years. In addition, our students go on to pursue degrees at some of the best schools in the country. We currently have students at Pratt, Cooper Union, Ringling, Kansas City Art Institute and SCAD; some received full scholarships based on their excellent portfolios.

Professionally many have gone on to pursue the arts as a career. We have alumni working in the fashion industry, Interior design. creating cartoons at Nickelodeon, working as gallery directors, and designing sports cars, to name a few. Some students have chosen to stay in the community pursuing careers as educators, graphic designers and many are entrepreneurs. The program teaches creative thinking and problem solving, which has enabled our students to run successful businesses here in Fort Myers.

When you come to Cypress you become part of our family. In addition to an excellent art education you are immersed in a caring, accepting environment where you grow as an artist and as a person. We look forward to welcoming you to our school.