ABOUT BUILDING 9

Our community

Students working outside of Building 9 / Banner photo by Erica Prince

Visual Arts Mission Statement

The Visual Arts Department encourages its students to explore their personal voice through a variety of mediums and materials. Throughout the four-year curriculum, Visual Arts students take courses in a wide variety of media and subjects, including drawing, printmaking, art history, sculpture, and two-dimensional design. Other available courses include painting, architecture and photography. Each student is required to keep a well-developed sketchbook for research, planning and investigation. Throughout their time in the Visual Arts department, our students develop their own artistic voice while creating a cohesive body of work.

Digital Media Mission Statement

The Digital Media Department strives to provide students with an exceptional and comprehensive arts education while deepening their understanding and appreciation for our creative focuses, which include a strong foundation in darkroom photography encompassing film developing, print developing, and alternative photographic processes. Our other focuses include digital photography, digital arts, graphic design, animation, and motion graphics. The Digital Media Department is the newest of the six art departments at A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts and is a blending of Visual Arts and Communication Arts.

Traditions

Carried through many tides of change

All photographs shown dating from 1990-2007 are courtesy of Constance Rudy. Thanks to Mrs. Rudy, we have rich documentation of our school's history, the good times, and the magical memories. THANK YOU, Mrs. Rudy!

Students working at the old North Shore campus (1993)

Original SOA Principal, Mr. Dewey, with Visual Arts students (1993-1994)

Groundbreaking Ceremony (1994)

Mr. Perry (Artist In Residence) in the Palm Beach Post (Late 1990's)

Building 9 faculty and staff (2018)

Senior Show portrait wall at the Armory Art Center (2019)

The B9 Fountain filled with gold balloons for the 2021 Senior Show

Senior Show portrait wall at the DSOA Building 2 Gallery (2021)

Building 9 Culture

Featuring the Visual & Digital Community Members

"Expression is a big part of what makes our department so unique. If you make work that truly tailors to YOU, you will have an amazing experience here at Dreyfoos!" - G. Romano / Visual Arts

"The kind of student that does well at Dreyfoos is one that's easily ready to work hard at what they're passionate about, while still being able to stay creative and have fun!" - A. Mackenzie / Digital Media

Brenda Cruz shows off her Monoprint fresh off the press

Nicole Leibowitz-Schultz works on their Monoprinting plate

Finn Ball works on their design for a reduction block print repeat pattern

Ms. Prince's Printmaking 1 students gather round to critique their Monoprints

"In the Vitigal [Visual Arts & Digital Media] department at Dreyfoos, everyone becomes a family. You can collaborate with anyone and get feedback for any type of work. It's amazing to be able to get different opinions on your art, with no judgement being involved." - E. Escobar / Digital Media

"Here at Dreyfoos, and especially in Building 9, we are a strongly united community of all kinds of different people. We were all brought together by a common appreciation and love for the arts, which makes finding something in common with others easier. No matter who you are or what your passion is, the love and respect this community has for others and for each other is unlike anywhere else." - T. Jimerson / Digital Media

Visual Technology students experiment with a single-light still life for a food photography assignment

Skyla Austin practices rolling 35mm film

Jill Rooney constructs a figurative collage

"It's really amazing to get to see all of your peers' artwork on the walls and find inspiration from it, along with getting to connect with other students in the visual/digital community." - D. Varona / Visual Arts

"All of the Vigital [Visual Arts & Digital Media] majors are very non-judgmental and cool, it just makes for a super relaxed building 9 environment." - E. Perras / Visual Arts

Mr. Toth's AP Drawing students working in the Nature Lab

"Everyone at Dreyfoos is super nice and accepting. I feel like I don't have to worry about being myself and it's great." - C. Davis / Visual Arts

"Feel comfortable if you need to talk to any of the teachers and staff in building 9. They're all welcoming" - B. Lee / Visual Arts

"There are an unlimited amount of resources here at Dreyfoos and all teachers are more than happy to redirect you to wherever you need to go for supplies, references, etc. It's easy to get caught up in wanting to go on a shopping spree for art supplies, and while it's good to have your own personal collection, try not to buy half of Michaels while you're at it. " - M. Tricomi / Visual Arts

Figure Drawing students working from a model

Figure Drawing students working from a model

Figure Drawing students drawing outdoors on a cool Florida day

"This is such a special school and especially in the Visual Arts department. If you want to do any project whether it be animation, sculpture, photography, or printmaking you can. If you have an idea you will have the tools and resources to do it!" - M. Jorgensen / Visual Arts

"Your art will grow more than you can possibly imagine. You’re able to be your complete and full authentic self here and that shows in every aspect of expression." - O. Lay / Visual Arts

Figure Drawing students pose with their work & Mr. Barrett

Marc Ludwigsen, surrounded by his work, prepares to speak to college representatives at Portfolio Day in the DSOA gym

The ZINE Library in the Printmaking Classroom!

"Dreyfoos is all I could have asked for and more. The art teachers not only love their jobs, but are also constantly creating their own art pieces outside of school. The studio classes are like no other and I've truly found a small family within the big family that is Building 9. Never shall you worry about identity here at Dreyfoos, nor feel the need to ever hide it, because Dreyfoos truly loves all." - N. Guevara / Visual Arts

"Even though I'm a freshman and might not know much about the Vigital [Visual Arts & Digital Media] department yet, it immediately came to my attention how accepting and welcoming everyone is. While in my art classes I feel happy being with students that also have the same interests as I do and those classes feel like a safe space for me." - M. Turkmen / Visual Arts

Black & White enlargers ready in the darkroom

A photo studio awaits the next photographer

Visual Technology Students work in the Mac Lab

"There are a plethora of opportunities for art students to get into an artistic career path. Advisers, college representatives, and portfolio reviews are readily accessible and available to those who seek them." - W. Dhana / Visual Arts

"Never doubt your skills or work. Attending an art school means working with talented artists every day, and it's important to remember that it's not a comparison or competition, but rather a learning experience!" - I. Diaz / Digital Media

A student sculpts foam for a project

Mr. Armetta's Painting students working on a master copy assignment

Students working in their sketchbooks on the Astrofountain

"In the Dreyfoos visual department, it's important to work on your basic art skills outside of the classroom and try to create a portfolio that relates to what you want to do in the future inside the classroom." - K. Kramer / Visual Arts

"The community and culture of building 9 are kind and accepting. You can be creative and make an outstanding impact on the art community. People here at Dreyfoos and are all creative and have our own way of showing it. So come join Dreyfoos and express your talents and let them shine bright!" - N. Irorere / Digital Media

Mrs. Glosmanova's Digital Media freshmen work in their sketchbooks

Ms. Prince's Drawing II freshmen work on a mind coordination exercise

Emily works on her Exploratory Series for 2D Art class

"When I was Applying I was a little worried about what my skill level would be like compared to other students/applicants, But I realized that everyone felt at least a little insecure about their art and essentially we are all growing and improving together. (which is something we compliment and celebrate amongst friends and classmates often)" - N. Carrasqui / Visual Arts

"We have an incredibly diverse student population, including a large LGBTQIA+ population, people of many different races and ethnicities, and people who practice lots of different religions! Our student body (especially in Building 9,) is as diverse as our artwork!" - A. Pleasanton / Visual Arts

Drew films his Sketchbook Tour

Students fill gold balloons for the B9 Fountain

Class of 2021 Seniors about to graduate!

"I feel like the students who do well at Dreyfoos are those who are willing to try and use different materials and art styles in their creations." - A. Biltswitch / Visual Arts

"The Vigital teachers and staff in Building 9 are truly the biggest help and inspiration you will receive while expanding your knowledge and skills in the visual and digital arts. They are there to help you in any way you need, and could not wish for anything other than your success. They'll even help you book your own gallery exhibit in building 9! They are genuinely some amazing folks, and I hope you choose to apply to Dreyfoos Vigital, because I know you'll think so too." - L. Riley / Digital Media

"I would like incoming applicants to know that in building 9 there is nothing but love and support for its members and their work. Everyone feels welcome and able to make art they want to make without judgement. The teachers are so nice and chill and they help you in any way they can. All I would say is don't stop making work, just keep trying new things and find what you want to do. A lot of times the art department pushes you out of your comfort zone to try a new medium or style and even though you may not want to do it you will definitely benefit, because now you know what you don't want and want to do in art. Overall just have fun, don't be afraid to make friends, everyone is super nice and accepting, and feel confident in your art" - A. Mejia / Digital Media

Digital Media photographers with Mrs. Glosmanova at the Senior Awards Gala

Mr. Armetta's Painting students working on a master copy assignment

"It's important to be confident and invested in your art because its when you push yourself greatly that your art will grow so make sure you choose to come to dreyfoos with the right mindset and the right determination so you can truly excell." - O. Siller/ Visual Arts

"Don't worry about not having enough expression in your work yet, you will have plenty of time to experiment and develop your own methods that work for you." - A. Gonzalez / Visual Arts

Ms. Prince with her Drawing II class on the Astrofountain on a cool morning

Ms. Ramos works with her Sculpture class on a mask assignment

Sculpture students working on their mask assignment

Opportunities

Possibilities for all of our students

YoungArts

The National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists

Scholastics

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Florida State Fair

Art Portfolio Contest

Street Painting

Lake Worth Street Painting Festival

After Dreyfoos

Our Visual Arts & Digital Media students have gone on to study at the following art and academic institutions: