The Middle School Visual Art Curriculum embraces each child as a creative being with potential to learn about aspects of art making, art history, art appreciation, and expression in a supportive and challenging environment. Students will have a “hands on” experience in the art room, where they will learn how to use different media, techniques, and processes as well as explore a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas. Each grade level will investigate the visual arts in relation to the history, cultures, and specific artists. They will also investigate connections between the visual arts, and other disciplines and daily life. Through writing and discussions, students will reflect upon and learn how to interpret their own and other’s works of art. Every student at Ridgefield Academy will be encouraged to reach the level of achievement that is most appropriate for his or her individual artistic needs in the art room. The main areas of focus in Middle School art consist of Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Printmaking, Journaling, Bookmaking, Art History, and Art Apprecitation. ArtBeats is a student art exhibition that celebrates the creativity of every child at Ridgefield Academy. Artwork is kept throughout the year and displayed in the gym for a week each springtime. During the show, classes are held in the gym and students are able to view, write about, and discuss the art objects to gain a deeper understanding of how and why the art is created.