Home - Jan 2023

Visual Arts Program

Beautiful student artwork adorns the halls at JHCA—everything from watercolor illustrations to pastel still life paintings and colored pencil portraits. This impressive display reflects the art program Mrs. Elizabeth Birnie has crafted for JH Classical. The K-8 curriculum combines art history, technique instruction, and colse examination of great master works. While other schools are cutting fine arts from their programs, JHCA is committed to preserving the visual arts in its curriculum.
Fine art holds an important place in a Classical curriculum. The visual arts combine students’ hearts and minds. The aesthetic beauty of art captures a child’s imagination, while the discipline of craftsmanship trains the mind and hands.
 
The art program begins in Kindergarten with an introduction to art techniques and master artists. As students move through elementary school, they encounter Leonardo Da Vinci, Matisse, Georgia O’Keefe, and many others. They also study ancient architecture, and learn to distinguish between different kinds of paintings.
 
The Elementary students also create artwork in a variety of mediums. 3rd & 4th grade students participated in the Junior Duck Stamp Competition. The purpose of this contest is to combine art and conservation. The final project is an opportunity for students to share what they have learned and participate in a national art competition.
Over the course of the unit, students learned about different American waterfowl, and then sketched a waterfowl of their choice. Then the students completed renditions of trumpeter swans, 
harlequin ducks, and Canada geese, to name a few. Mr. Walter, the art assistant for this class, says, “Each student created a unique and beautiful painting. It was wonderful to see their self-motivation and enthusiasm in this project.”
 
In middle school, students begin by studying the use of light and grey values in black and white drawings, as well as learning the art and architecture of the Italian Renaissance. Moving into 7th and 8th grade, students explore color theory and how the Masters used color throughout the centuries. Students produce artwork in a variety of mediums.
 
Mrs. Birnie has developed the 9th grade curriculum as a studio course for students who wish to advance their mastery of composition, creativity, and technique. Mrs. Birnie says, “It is so exciting to be able to offer art to all our high school students. Not many schools are able to offer this; the 9th grade art course will give students the opportunity to decide if they want to pursue the visual arts in high school and college.”
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Contact

Physical Address:
2500 S. Park Loop Rd.
Jackson, WY 83001

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7466
Jackson, WY 83002
 
Enrollment Inquiries:
Lisa Landis, Admissions 
(307) 201-5040 
 
All Other Inquiries:
School Office
(307) 201-5040
 








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Nondiscrimination Policy: Jackson Hole Classical Academy admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Jackson Hole Classical Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, tuition assistance, athletic, arts and other school administrated programs.