Advanced Art and Design Opportunities
Middle School Art Club Expands Horizons
The Middle School Art Club at The John Cooper School offers exciting opportunities to expand student learning. Students in grades 6-8 are invited to meet after school in Room 511, the photography classroom. Faculty sponsors Ms. Schiebel and Ms. Musa teach the students new skills and ways to create art in various mediums.
This month, students are painting 3D-printed dragons in themes of famous artwork.
Working together after class provides a fun, innovative, and creative outlet for students to expand their knowledge and tap into new ways of developing as artists.
"We are taking an exciting leap into the world of 3D modeling. This provides students with the unique opportunity to blend creativity with technology. While the club has usually focused on traditional art, adding 3D modeling to the curriculum allows students to explore new dimensions of artistic expression," said Ms. Musa, Visual Arts Teacher.
Early exposure to more complex topics like digital design broadens creative horizons and helps students develop important life skills they will carry such as problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and technical aptitude.
This month, students are painting 3D-printed dragons in themes of famous artwork.
Working together after class provides a fun, innovative, and creative outlet for students to expand their knowledge and tap into new ways of developing as artists.
"We are taking an exciting leap into the world of 3D modeling. This provides students with the unique opportunity to blend creativity with technology. While the club has usually focused on traditional art, adding 3D modeling to the curriculum allows students to explore new dimensions of artistic expression," said Ms. Musa, Visual Arts Teacher.
Early exposure to more complex topics like digital design broadens creative horizons and helps students develop important life skills they will carry such as problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and technical aptitude.
"As students engage with software such as Blender, they begin to appreciate the potential of digital tools in transforming their creative visions into reality. From designing intricate mechanisms for kinetic sculpture to developing animated characters, they face challenges that demand both perseverance and critical analytical skills," stated Kara Whiting, Chair of the Visual Arts Department.
The value of nurturing creative minds at a young age cannot be overstated. Learning 3D modeling encourages artistic expression and fosters critical thinking and resilience. As students learn to manipulate shapes and materials in the digital world, they also develop problem-solving strategies and learn how to approach challenges with persistence. These skills go far beyond the art room, helping them become more adaptable and confident in all areas of their academic and personal lives. These experiences teach them that creativity isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about finding innovative solutions to real-world problems.
The Middle School Art Club is helping students tap into potential career paths in animation, engineering, architecture, biomedical science, and game design. What begins as an artistic exploration can ignite a passion for technology and innovation, opening doors to many opportunities.
“Introducing these types of projects to students at this age is our passion, and allowing them to personalize their designs is integral to fueling their creativity," says Ms. Musa-Carr, Visual Arts Teacher.
Visual Arts Teacher Ms. Schiebel adds, “Empowering students to bring their ideas to life sparks their creativity and helps build their confidence. We are so excited for the students to display their work in the Middle School Library, so keep an eye out for the opportunity to see the work for yourself.”
Middle School students can choose from more than 20 extracurricular activities, including cultures, arts, engineering, science, math, technology, and careers, and a proctored after-school study hall.
Learn More: Clubs & Organizations | The John Cooper School
Visual Arts Teacher Ms. Schiebel adds, “Empowering students to bring their ideas to life sparks their creativity and helps build their confidence. We are so excited for the students to display their work in the Middle School Library, so keep an eye out for the opportunity to see the work for yourself.”
Middle School students can choose from more than 20 extracurricular activities, including cultures, arts, engineering, science, math, technology, and careers, and a proctored after-school study hall.
Learn More: Clubs & Organizations | The John Cooper School
The John Cooper School
From Curiosity to Wisdom
The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners.
The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
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