Visual Arts

“Art is a way to lay out for the world to see all those feelings that words cannot express.”

Madison Oh ’23

Visual arts students learn the fundamentals of technique and design working with our dedicated faculty, who are accomplished artists in their own right as well as committed professional educators. From a curriculum focused on individual growth and self-expression, students can choose classes in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture, glass, digital photography, film and video production, digital animation and special effects in video, graphic design and digital art, and 3D fabrication and craft. The department also offers after-school art immersion programs that give students opportunities to take a deep dive into areas that might not be covered in other arts classes; one recent program focused on fashion.

Because many of our courses do not require previous experience in the visual arts, students at all skill levels find the department and its programs particularly welcoming and a great place to take risks and have fun trying something new.

Visual Arts Curriculum Arts Facilities

Ceramics sculpture by Ellen Olender ’22 — Ellen Olender ’22

Artwork by Sophia Chen ’22 — Sophia Chen ’22

Veiled Transparency: Suit by Abhiram Muthavarapu ’23 — **Veiled Transparency: Suit**
Abhiram Muthavarapu ’23

Painting of a peacock by Hayden Garside ’23 — Hayden Garside ’23

Drawing by Lindsay Cooper ’23 — Lindsay Cooper ’23

Ceramics sculpture by Logan Elie ’24 — Logan Elie ’24

“The quality of the light and space in the Richmond Art Center is on par [with] or better than some of the higher ed spaces and studios I have taught in previously.”

christian.ryan Visual Arts Faculty
Director of the Mercy Gallery

Explore Arts Facilities

Visiting Artist Program

Share the Studio with Professional Visiting Artists

Throughout the school year, the visual arts faculty invite artists from a range of backgrounds and with a variety of styles to take up short-term residency on the Island. The Visiting Artist Program offers Loomis Chaffee students an experiential learning opportunity — observing and participating in the process of an artist creating their work. In doing so, the professional artists can explain their inspirations, share techniques, and provide mentoring for students.