The Arts
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 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).
Nathan Taubkin '17
Nathan Taubkin '17 arrived at The Hill in 2021 after completing his B.A. in Cinema Studies at Oberlin College in Ohio. He serves as the Electronic Media Studio Coordinator and Teaching Fellow, teaching Introduction to Filmmaking and Visual Storytelling and Photography.
Arts News
Four performances will be held in the Center For The Arts Theatre on Friday, May 17 at 7:15 p.m., Saturday, May 18 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 19 at 1 p.m. Tickets are free and open to the public.
![Jazz Professor and Former Hill Music Director Tony Branker Leads Workshop for Hill Musicians]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1712082540/thehillorg/on8pmsgsisuyzcvmalm3/032824_Tony_Branker_01.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1712082540/thehillorg/on8pmsgsisuyzcvmalm3/032824_Tony_Branker_01.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1712082540/thehillorg/on8pmsgsisuyzcvmalm3/032824_Tony_Branker_01.jpg","width":600}])
On Thursday, March 28, Tony Branker, returned to Hill to visit the Jazz Ensemble and the jazz improvisation group, The Titans.
![The Hilltones and Hilltrebles Receive a Silver Rating at the Roxbury 32nd Annual Choir Invitational]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1711397790/thehillorg/dwv6tjyfqruts37ktimq/600x400FY24RoxburyInvitational3.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1711397790/thehillorg/dwv6tjyfqruts37ktimq/600x400FY24RoxburyInvitational3.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1711397790/thehillorg/dwv6tjyfqruts37ktimq/600x400FY24RoxburyInvitational3.png","width":600}])
The Hill School's a cappella groups, the Hilltones and Hilltrebles receive a Silver Rating in the Jazz/Pop Choir category at the Roxbury 32nd Annual Choir Invitational held on March 23, 2024.