School Curriculum

Visual Arts

"Why should you think that beauty, which is the most precious thing in the world, lies like a stone on the beach for the careless passer-by to pick up idly? Beauty is something wonderful and strange that the artist fashions out of the chaos of the world in the torment of his soul. And when he has made it, it is not given to all to know. To recognize it you must repeat the adventure of the artist. It is a melody that sings to you, and to hear it again in your own heart you want knowledge and sensitiveness and imagination." W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, 1919 (Chapter XIX, spoken by the character Dirk Stroeve)
  • ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 1

    Through media presentations, lectures, field trips and hands-on experiences, students investigate solutions to architectural problems. Historical solutions offer guideposts for creative, innovative designs. Projects include architectural planning, site planning, floor-plan drawing, elevations and building-scale models, and students produce a digital catalog of their projects throughout the course.
  • ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

    Architectural Design 2 is for students who wish to explore architectural-design forms and continue to hone their technical expertise and increase their knowledge of architectural forms learned in Architectural Design 1. Students produce a digital catalog of their projects, creating a portfolio of their work.
  • ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 3

    Architectural Design 3 emphasizes portfolio-building through projects using various materials, rendering exercises, and research on past and current architectural trends. This course includes field trips and visiting lecturers. Students also learn how to curate their work and assemble a finished portfolio. A digital catalog of projects is maintained and reviewed throughout the year.
  • ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 4

    As the culmination of the three previous levels of Architectural Design, students are challenged to propose projects based on areas of personal interest and to support those proposals with research they conduct. Media presentations, visiting architects and field trips supplement the course. Students learn to assemble, critique and present their portfolios. Students are required to demonstrate technical expertise and present a final portfolio from their digital catalog of projects.
  • CERAMICS 1

    This course presents an introduction to clay as a material and an exploration of the ceramic process. Students explore Native American, Middle Eastern, African and contemporary American art influences. They construct forms using hand-building techniques (pinching, coiling and slabs) and are introduced to the potter’s wheel. Students also explore various glazing styles and learn about the firing process.
  • SCULPTURAL CERAMICS

    In this course, students explore the expressive possibilities of ceramic sculpture. Students learn a variety of hand-building techniques to create unique and meaningful forms. Through a series of hands-on projects, students develop their skills in pinching, coiling, slab building and surface decoration. They also gain an understanding and appreciation of art historical perspectives throughout time. Students construct figurative and abstract sculptures using both reductive and additive techniques.
  • UTILITARIAN CERAMICS

    In this course, students explore the fascinating world of utilitarian ceramics by learning the techniques and principles involved in creating functional ceramic objects. Through a combination of wheel-throwing, hand-building, and surface decoration techniques, students craft a variety of everyday pieces. Some of the projects will include mugs, bowls, plates, pitchers and teapots. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the balance between form and function, as students develop their skills in creating aesthetically pleasing yet durable ceramics. Students also have an opportunity to research and report on contemporary and historical ceramic artists.
  • CERAMICS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

    This ceramics class focuses on contemporary issues in society. Students use clay to explore current events and create meaningful art that reflects observations and thoughts on the world around them. Through a combination of discussions, readings and hands-on claywork, students develop a deeper understanding of social issues and the power that art has to bring about positive change. Students also have an opportunity to research and report on contemporary and historical ceramic artists whose work reflects the themes of the course.
  • PHOTOGRAPHY 1

    This course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of photography. Students learn camera anatomy, operation and digital workflow with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Students also develop the creative freedom to sculpt light with continuous lights and strobes. This class is designed for students interested in improving their photography skills and developing a deeper and more artistic approach to the art and craft of photography.
  • EXPERIMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY

    The rapid development of digital photographic technology has allowed photographers to create virtually anything one can imagine. This course is designed to “open the doors of perception” to what is possible in photography through non-traditional projects that push students to think creatively and outside of the box. Students delve into unique themes such as light painting, camera obscura and alternative photographic processes. This course has a heavy emphasis on computer-based digital processing.
  • NATURAL LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

    Natural light in photography can be used to create stunning works of art and incredibly complex images. The majority of fashion, architectural, aerial and other photographic art forms use natural light as the principal light source in their work. While strobes are a very valuable tool in a photographer’s tool belt, the sun and moon are ubiquitous and powerful and should be a photographer’s close ally. Natural light photography requires a keen understanding of one’s surroundings and a distinct flexibility in order to create successful imagery. This class teaches students just how to do that through projects involving all forms of natural light – including the stars themselves. 
  • PORTRAITURE PHOTOGRAPHY

    Portraiture photography has its origins in the very roots of photographic history, yet it has evolved with technology and remains on the cutting edge of what is possible in the art form today. Capturing engaging portraits remains a staple of any photographer’s skill set and this class showcases what is possible beyond the standard portrait. Students learn studio and strobe techniques that take their work well beyond the classroom, giving them images that set their work apart.
  • STUDIO ART 1

    The purpose of the course is to develop creative skills through hands-on experiences while acquiring knowledge and understanding, as well as an appreciation for the creative process. This class investigates specific problems in design focusing on the use of various tools and media. Projects are designed to explore two-dimensional techniques (drawing and painting). Each unit focuses on a particular aspect of technique, with classes particularly designed for a combination of hands-on experiences, lectures, audio-visual presentations, demonstrations and critiques. Students produce a digital catalog of their projects throughout the course.
  • STUDIO ART 2

    The Studio Art 2 curriculum emphasizes technique- and skill-building with a focus on painting. Students are introduced to oil painting with an emphasis on presentation and portfolio production. Students are encouraged to explore and experiment with an ever-widening variety of media. Students produce a digital catalog of their projects throughout the course, building a foundation for a portfolio of their work.
  • STUDIO ART 3

    With the prerequisite of Studio Art 2, Studio Art 3 allows students to incorporate and hone their skills and understanding of various media presented in Studio Art 1 and Studio Art 2 while taking the additional step of developing personal imagery. Students are given increased freedom to challenge themselves; they propose and execute projects that fulfill their unique personal vision. Multimedia presentations, demonstrations and field trips supplement the curriculum. Portfolio development is emphasized and a digital catalog of projects is maintained and reviewed throughout the year.
  • STUDIO ART 4

    As the culmination of the previous three levels of Studio Art, Studio Art 4 curriculum is student-driven. Project proposals are presented by students; they must offer a rationale for their projects based on themes, technical expertise and relevance to their body of work as a whole. Group, theme-based projects are also included. Students are challenged to research, design, construct and present exhibitions. Media presentations, visiting artists and field trips supplement the curriculum. In this terminal course in the studio art program, students also learn how to curate their work and assemble a finished portfolio from their digital catalogs of artwork.
  • YEARBOOK

    This course represents an introduction to the fundamentals of photography, graphic design, journalism and print publication in a real-world context. Students work with an internet-based online design software to create a yearly depiction of the Ransom Everglades upper school campus. As staffers, students do all the writing, photography and layout design for the school’s yearbook. They develop story angles; interview peers, faculty, staff and community members; manage deadlines tailored to a yearly approved budget; develop a theme representative of the climate on campus; and edit and design graphics. There are a number of leadership positions for the publication that are typically filled by senior members of the staff. The class produces a substantial yearbook that is distributed to students and faculty in the upper school and is an artifact of the school’s history.
  • DIGITAL ART 1

    This introductory course is designed for students interested in exploring and creating computer-based artwork. This course will explore the use of a variety of industry standard computer software and traditional art media. Students have the opportunity to explore digital media and create digital portfolios of work. Students explore digital art making processes and topics and techniques such as the elements of art & principles of design, color theory, composition, typography, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop instruction, and collaborative projects to engage creativity. In this project-based course, students learn to create meaningful pieces which communicate their personal perceptions through original artworks. Class work will include reading articles, writing prompts, artist statements, critiques, class discussions, projects, research and planning.
  • DIGITAL ART AND THE ARTIST

    Digital Art and The Artist is an advanced level Digital Art & Media course designed for upper school students who want to explore deeper subject content within their work, go beyond aesthetic appeal and convey ideas, emotions, or messages that evoke thought and connection. This course will build upon the skills and concepts learned in the introductory Digital Art & Media course. Digital Art and The Artist will provide a safe space for students to hold meaningful discourse and investigate the connections between the artist, the work, and the viewer – a connection that transcends the visual and resonates on a deeper, often emotional, level.
  • 3-D MIXED MEDIA SCULPTURE

    This course will be an introduction to 3-dimensional design sculpture. This hands-on studio course explores principles of sculpture and design.  Through demonstrations, videos,  hands-on practice and art historical relevance, students learn ways to express themselves through a variety of 3-dimensional media projects using recycled materials, found materials, repurposed materials as well as raw materials.  The course will help students develop and expand aesthetic, constructions, craftsmanship and problem-solving abilities.

Department Faculty

  • Photo of Astrid Dalins
    Astrid Dalins
    Visual Arts Teacher
    305-460-8890
    University of Alabama - B.A.
    University of Miami - M.F.A.
    Trinity Evangelical Divinity School - M.A.R.
    Bio
  • Photo of Marisa Fort
    Marisa Fort '98
    Visual Arts Teacher
    Barnard College - B.A.
    Harvard University - M.Arch.
    Bio
  • Photo of Ellen Grant
    Ellen Grant
    Visual Arts Teacher
    305-250-6857
    University of New Hampshire - B.F.A.
    City University of New York - M.F.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Jorge Guzman
    Jorge Guzman
    Senior Class Sponsor, Visual Arts Teacher
    305-460-8232
    University of Florida - B.F.A.
    Florida International University - M.S.
    Bio
  • Photo of Moira Holohan-Comas
    Moira Holohan-Comas
    Visual Arts Teacher
    35-460-8211
    Bard College - B.A.
    Hunter College - M.F.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Constance Hyde
    Connie Hyde
    Visual Arts Teacher
    305-250-6858
    Miami University - B.F.A.
    University of Miami - M.F.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Elsa Munoz
    Elsa Munoz
    Visual Arts Teacher
    305-250-6869
    Florida International University - B.A.
    Florida International University - M.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Fabienne Rousseau
    Fabienne Rousseau
    Visual Arts Teacher
    305-460-7960
    Florida International University - B.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Matthew Stock
    Matt Stock
    Visual Arts Department Coordinator
    305-460-8201
    University of Miami - B.S.
    Savannah College of Art and Design - M.F.A.
    Bio

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Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.