Middle School Studio Arts
Studio Arts Overview
Experiential in nature and through hands-on exploration, the middle school studio art program introduces students to a wide range of methods, mediums and subjects while encouraging individual expression and artistic growth, providing a rich and comprehensive experience. Drawing serves as a foundational tool for exploration and problem solving throughout all three years and continues into the prep school program. In addition, elements of art history and theory are introduced throughout all three years, as students become familiar with the work of a wide range of artists and artistic movements.
In fifth grade, students are introduced to basic design concepts and elements of composition, and work with a variety of mediums, materials and techniques that will serve as a foundation for problem solving, and further discovery and artistic growth. In addition, students participate in interdisciplinary projects, including visual art pieces to accompany the Changemakers' presentation to the CGPS community.
In grades six and seven, students build on these methods and concepts, and continue to develop their critical thinking skills, expanding on the range of materials, skills, mediums, and subjects such as painting, life drawing, printmaking, illustration and design, ceramics and clay sculpture, comic arts and digital art.
Arts Integration
Middle School students participate in an art integrated curriculum with other core content subject areas. This is an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form to another subject area and achieve evolving objectives in both.
Fifth Grade
The students plan and execute the Moroccan ceramic tile design project in which they are introduced to the geometric pattern and symmetrical design in Moroccan tiles. Math concepts are reinforced in art as math teachers participate in art classes and co-teach the lesson on math in art class. Students develop skills in ceramic tile design and clay techniques including hand-building, sculpting and glazing. The unit culminates with a trip to The Metropolitan Museum of Art to visit the Art of the Islamic World exhibit where students experience first-hand the works of this period.
Sixth & Seventh Grade
In a unit on abstract American art, students are inspired by the work of Frank Stella and Elizabeth Murray. Through the use of geometric and abstract forms, students learn about scale, proportion, color, pattern and design. Throughout the process, more complex math skills and concepts are reinforced in the art room by math teachers as students create their own Stella/Murray-inspired 3-D work of art. An additional tie-in to Stella’s work is with music as the artist would often speak about how different styles and genres of music would inspire his work. In music class, students work in groups to create sequences in movement inspired by the individual 3D artwork they created.
In a unit on Greek art and history, students work to find creative ways to make their argument as to why their assigned Greek State is the preferred destination of choice. Art and history join together to provide students with a well-rounded interdisciplinary learning experience. Sixth graders also collaborate with Current Issues Research Seminar (CIRS) for the annual CIRS Day in the spring.
Mural: The Four Seasons in Central Park
During the 2022-2023 school year CGPS Middle School students embarked on a mural project with internationally renowned artist Tova Snyder. Students and faculty from CGPS and PS 84 worked with neighborhood community service organization the Strycker’s Bay Association to design a mural inspired by the four seasons on West 93rd Street between Central Park West and Columbus. This exciting project exemplifies the interdisciplinary learning championed by CGPS and strengthens the bonds between the School and the diverse community of the Upper West Side.
Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form to another subject area and achieve evolving objectives in both.
Arts Integration Projects
