Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Program at The Hill School is designed to offer students an array of experiences through various traditional media - drawing, painting, sculpting, photography, woodworking - as well as web design and filmmaking.
These various arts courses expose students to the fundamentals and principles of art and design. Emphasis is placed on solid composition building along with developing design thinking and interpersonal skills.
The visual arts are a unique discipline as it places great emphasis on the exercise of the imagination and making actual objects with the hands. Not only are students given the opportunity to express themselves through a variety of media, but they are given life-long skills in using their creativity and increasing the depth of appreciation for art that surrounds them.
Throughout the year, visual arts students have many opportunities to learn from professional artists - from visiting artists and guest speakers to off-campus trips to local studios, museums, and galleries.
Visual Arts News:
35 Hill School students were honored for their photography and artwork.
![Woodworking Class Creates Benches for the Community]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1711033767/thehillorg/lbbkbqvxrdefih5vpc5v/FY24-Woodworking-Benches.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1711033767/thehillorg/lbbkbqvxrdefih5vpc5v/FY24-Woodworking-Benches.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1711033767/thehillorg/lbbkbqvxrdefih5vpc5v/FY24-Woodworking-Benches.png","width":600}])
The featured project in Hill's woodworking classes focused on designing and building benches.
![Artwork by Hill Arts Student Featured in the 2023 AP Art and Design Exhibit]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1704996678/thehillorg/orsyz8piyqt0wxaejydo/AdelynSim24.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1704996678/thehillorg/orsyz8piyqt0wxaejydo/AdelynSim24.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1704996678/thehillorg/orsyz8piyqt0wxaejydo/AdelynSim24.png","width":600}])
Adelyn Sim '24 is the first Hill School student to have artwork selected to be featured in the prestigious AP Art and Design Exhibit.
Visual Arts Courses:
- Studio Art 1, 2, 3 Honors
- Woodworking
- Photography / Advanced Photography
- Filmmaking and Visual Storytelling
- Introduction to Web Design
- AP 2-D / AP 3-D Art and Design (college-level courses)
- AP Drawing (college-level course)
- Advanced Studio Art Seminar (college-level course)
- Advanced Art History Seminar (college-level course)
- Fiber Arts/Advanced Fiber Arts
View the Course Catalog for more information.
Meet Our Visual Arts Instructors:
Ellen O. Nelson P'10 '13
Senior Master Teacher of the Arts Ellen O. Nelson P'10 '13 has taught multiple levels of studio art and art history throughout her time at The Hill. Ellen also is the Coordinator of the Boyer Gallery and has had her work displayed in numerous galleries and exhibits throughout her career.
Diane Deery P'21 '23
Athey Family Master Teacher of the Arts and Chair of the Arts Department Diane Deery P'21 '23 teaches woodworking and photography. An environmental artist, Ms. Deery has displayed her art in several exhibits throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. She also has participated in artist-in-residence programs in Iceland, Philadelphia, and South Africa (2022).
Danna Singer
Danna Singer joined The Hill School faculty in the fall of 2024. She teaches photography, filmmaking, and visual storytelling. Her photographs have been exhibited nationally and internationally. She has held the position of Lecturer at Yale School of Art, and Princeton, among others.