The Visual Arts program in West Hartford is exceptional and the arts are an important component of a well-rounded education. The Visual Arts provide students with experiences that shape their identity in addition to promoting academic success. The art room is a busy place, where hopefully your student(s) will learn skills that are rooted in discipline and practice, while exploring and experimenting with media and ideas. Art has a strong social component as well and, as students develop their artistic abilities, they will learn to work collaboratively, provide and accept respectful criticism, and develop the work-ethic and perseverance required of an artist. Artists create challenges for themselves because they enjoy the process of figuring out new solutions. The goal is for all students to personalize their artistic experience, so that how and why they are producing artwork originates with them. Students will learn about all of the many choices they have as artists will develop self-confidence.

It is important that you know what your student(s) will be focusing on in Art this year. Please see the attached document, which outlines the concepts and skills that will be addressed throughout a Bugbee student's Visual Arts experience. This document is an overview and may change slightly over time, as the new National Arts Standards become the foundation for every student's Visual Arts experience.