All boys. All boarding. Grades 9-12.
Academics
Curriculum Guide

Select a Department

Fine Arts Visual

Woodberry Forest’s Fine Arts Program consists of three departments: drama and speech, music, and visual arts.  These departments are bound by the common goal of teaching students how to find and develop their public voice, how to think critically and creatively, how to make art of the highest order possible, and how to appreciate their world more deeply.
  • Visual Arts_2-D Foundations in Visual Art (FALL, WINTER and SPRING)_Intro

    A one-trimester introduction to Drawing, Printmaking, Painting. Students will engage in a variety of studio projects that focus on the elements and principles of design. This course promotes creative thinking, the use of various mediums and understanding the process of making in two-dimensional art.
  • Visual Arts_3-D Foundations in Visual Art (WINTER and SPRING)_Intro

    A one-trimester introduction to Ceramics and Sculpture. Students will engage in a variety of studio projects that focus on the elements and principles of design. This course promotes creative thinking, the use of various mediums and understanding the process of making in three-dimensional art.
  • Sculpture

    Sculpture (FALL, WINTER, SPRING)
    This course will cover the techniques for creating sculpture in clay .  We will work  with  the figure and portrait as well as other projects focusing on the human form and anatomy. This includes copying in clay from historical plaster cast masterpieces and even sculpting a skull .  Students will master the fundamentals of 3-dimensional form, still and dynamic movement and other aspects. Students will fire their pieces in a kiln, so they can preserve them. Learning to sculpt is essential for your own artistic development but in practical terms will also help students to prepare an award-winning college portfolio that may open the doors into the movie industry, animation, architecture and design. Enrolled students are eligible to sell their work at our Student Art Markets and attend a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.
  • Visual Arts_Drawing (Fall Winter Spring)

    A one-trimester course in Drawing.  Students will engage in a variety of studio projects that focus on the elements and principles of design. This course promotes the development of strong naturalistic and observational drawing skills using a variety of mediums such as graphite, charcoal, pastel, ink and conté crayons. We will explore various genres including still life, landscape, architecture, figurative drawing and portraiture. Enrolled students are eligible to sell their work at our Student Art Shows and attend a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.
  • Visual Arts_Sculpture (Fall Winter Spring)

    This course will cover the techniques for creating sculpture in clay .  We will work  with  the figure and portrait as well as other projects focusing on the human form and anatomy. This includes copying in clay from historical plaster cast masterpieces and even sculpting a skull .  Students will master the fundamentals of 3-dimensional form, still and dynamic movement and other aspects. Students will fire their pieces in a kiln, so they can preserve them. Learning to sculpt is essential for your own artistic development but in practical terms will also help students to prepare an award-winning college portfolio that may open the doors into the movie industry, animation, architecture and design. Enrolled students are eligible to sell their work at our Student Art Markets and attend a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.
  • Visual Arts_Printmaking (Winter)

    A one trimester course that engages in a variety of printmaking mediums and techniques. Students will work with woodcuts, linocuts, etching, monotypes, gel prints. For the final project, students will use their best designs to create custom screen printed t-shirts and hoodies. This course promotes the development of strong drawing and carving skills as well as an understanding of the elements of art and principles of design. Enrolled students are eligible to sell their work at our Student Art Shows and attend a field trip to the National Gallery of Art. 



  • Visual Arts_Ceramics (Fall Winter Spring)

    A one-trimester introduction to Ceramics that can be repeated. Students will learn to make vessels and other objects from clay using a variety of traditional ceramic forming, decorating, and firing methods from around the world. Students will concentrate on building their wheel-throwing skills, and will come away from the class with an understanding of simple manufacturing processes as well as their own fully functional dishes for the kitchen. Potters taking this class should expect to learn to center and control the clay on the wheel, as well as hone their craftsmanship skills through assembling, trimming, adding handles, and decorating their work. Students who repeat the course will be presented with additional challenges and advanced projects as their skills allow.


  • Visual Arts_Photography (Fall Winter Spring)

    A one-trimester course in which the students learn both the technical and creative aspects of photography in the production of their own work.  Students produce work using dslr cameras which they then print using a large format printer. Topics include: Landscape photography, Portrait photography and Documentary photography. Darkroom photography and other Alternative processes are also addressed. At the end of the term students will have their own exhibition. 
     
    Students may take photography more than once to explore advanced personal projects of their choice.  

    Enrolled students are eligible to sell their work at our Student Art Shows and attend a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.



  • Advanced Ceramics

    Advanced Ceramics (SPRING)
    Open to students who have taken the general ceramics course twice (or once, with teacher’s permission), the advanced ceramics course is designed to challenge students who have mastered centering on the wheel and can confidently throw a variety of symmetrical objects. Potters in this class will learn advanced wheel techniques and hone their sense of design and personal style. We will explore decorative techniques such as altering, faceting, stamping, and darting, all while learning to have more and more precise control of the clay.
  • Visual Arts_Documentary Filmmaking (FALL)_Intermediate

    A one trimester course in which students will produce a documentary film.  The focus will be on the personal essay film, with students producing a film of their own choice.  Students will learn the basics of documentary filmmaking including HD and 4K production and sound production.   Students will also learn the basics of post production on Adobe Premiere. Enrolled students are eligible for a public screening of their films and a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.
  • Visual Arts_Filmmaking (Fall Winter Spring)

    This course teaches the basics of filmmaking production and post production in narrative and documentary films. From capturing your film on a 4k movie camera to recording sound, students will work with cameras and microphones in the production of their own movies. Students will also learn how to edit and export their movies on Adobe Premiere Pro. Enrolled students are eligible for a public screening of their films and a field trip to the National Gallery of Art. 
     
    Students may take filmmaking more than once to pursue advanced film projects of their own design. 



  • Ceramics

    Ceramics (FALL ,WINTER, SPRING) 
    A one-trimester introduction to Ceramics that can be repeated. Students will learn to make vessels and other objects from clay using a variety of traditional ceramic forming, decorating, and firing methods from around the world. Students will concentrate on building their wheel-throwing skills, and will come away from the class with an understanding of simple manufacturing processes as well as their own fully functional dishes for the kitchen. Potters taking this class should expect to learn to center and control the clay on the wheel, as well as hone their craftsmanship skills through assembling, trimming, adding handles, and decorating their work. Students who repeat the course will be presented with additional challenges and advanced projects as their skills allow.
  • Visual Art_Honors Art History_Honors

    Honors Art History charts the development of visual art from prehistoric to contemporary times. The emphasis is on the course of Western art with its roots in the culture of ancient Greece and Rome, and the evolution through the Italian Renaissance, the influence of church and royal patronage in the Baroque period, the tension between Neoclassicism and the Romantic movement, and the history of Modernism. Additionally, art from outside the Western tradition, the indigenous art of Australia, pre-Columbian, and tribal African, will be investigated. Students will become familiar with the great works of art and prominent artists in Western civilization. The study of style will figure prominently in the visual descriptions and critical analysis of class discussions and writing assignments. Although taking the AP Art History exam is not required, this course provides thorough preparation for those students who opt to take it.
  • Drawing

    Drawing (FALL, WINTER and SPRING)
    A one-trimester course in Drawing.  Students will engage in a variety of studio projects that focus on the elements and principles of design. This course promotes the development of strong naturalistic and observational drawing skills using a variety of mediums such as graphite, charcoal, pastel, ink and conté crayons. We will explore various genres including still life, landscape, architecture, figurative drawing and portraiture. Enrolled students are eligible to sell their work at our Student Art Shows and attend a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.
  • Filmmaking

    Filmmaking (FALL, WINTER, SPRING) 
    This course teaches the basics of filmmaking production and post production in narrative and documentary films. From capturing your film on a 4k movie camera to recording sound, students will work with cameras and microphones in the production of their own movies. Students will also learn how to edit and export their movies on Adobe Premiere Pro. Enrolled students are eligible for a public screening of their films and a field trip to the National Gallery of Art. 
     
    Students may take filmmaking more than once to pursue advanced film projects of their own design.
  • Visual Arts_Honors Photography/Filmmaking_Honors

    A year-long course in which a student prepares a personal portfolio for the 2-D Design Portfolio which is submitted for review by an AP committee in May. Students work on a large body of independent work that demonstrates a sustained investigation in Photography or Filmmaking. Prerequisites: Intro to Visual Art, 2 trimesters of Intermediate Photography or Intermediate Filmmaking or instructor recommendation.
  • Painting

    Painting (FALL, WINTER,  SPRING)
    A one-trimester course in Painting.  Students will engage in a variety of studio projects that focus on the elements and principles of design. This course promotes the development of strong naturalistic and observational painting skills using acrylic, oil, and watercolor paint. We will explore various genres including still life, landscape, architecture, figurative painting and portraiture. Enrolled students are eligible to sell their work at our Student Art Shows and attend a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.
  • Photography

    Photography (FALL, WINTER, SPRING)
    A one-trimester course in which the students learn both the technical and creative aspects of photography in the production of their own work.  Students produce work using dslr cameras which they then print using a large format printer. Topics include: Landscape photography, Portrait photography and Documentary photography. Darkroom photography and other Alternative processes are also addressed. At the end of the term students will have their own exhibition. 
     
    Students may take photography more than once to explore advanced personal projects of their choice.   Enrolled students are eligible to sell their work at our Student Art Shows and attend a field trip to the National Gallery of Art. 
  • Printmaking

    Printmaking (WINTER)
    A one trimester course that engages in a variety of printmaking mediums and techniques. Students will work with woodcuts, linocuts, etching, monotypes, gel prints. For the final project, students will use their best designs to create custom screen printed t-shirts and hoodies. This course promotes the development of strong drawing and carving skills as well as an understanding of the elements of art and principles of design. Enrolled students are eligible to sell their work at our Student Art Shows and attend a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.
  • Visual Arts_Advanced Ceramics(Spring)

    Open to students who have taken the general ceramics course twice (or once, with teacher’s permission), the advanced ceramics course is designed to challenge students who have mastered centering on the wheel and can confidently throw a variety of symmetrical objects. Potters in this class will learn advanced wheel techniques and hone their sense of design and personal style. We will explore decorative techniques such as altering, faceting, stamping, and darting, all while learning to have more and more precise control of the clay.


  • Independent Study Visual Arts_Honors

    Honors students will be determined by teacher recommendation and portfolio review. Those eligible for Honors level must take art all year to receive Honors credit. Eligible students choose three trimester art courses to combine for the full year. 

    Recommended 5th and 6th formers who have completed a year of Honors level coursework may be considered for Honors Independent Study. Students will work on expanding their portfolios and managing their own studio time during a period that best fits their schedule. Students will participate in required group critiques every two weeks. 

    Enrolled students are eligible to sell their work at our Student Art Shows and attend a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.



Our Faculty

  • Photo of James Erickson
    James Erickson
    Fine Arts, Fine Arts Visual
    Chair, Visual Arts
    (540) 672-3900 ext. 5267
    University of Virginia - BA
    Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts - MFA
    2016
    Bio
  • Photo of Shari Jacobs
    Shari Jacobs
    Fine Arts, Fine Arts Visual
    Swarthmore College - BA
    Hood College - MFA
    2011
  • Photo of John Murray
    John Murray
    Fine Arts Visual
    2020
  • Photo of Richard  Robinson
    Richard Robinson
    Fine Arts Visual
    2016
Woodberry Forest admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religious belief, and national or ethnic origin to all of the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religious belief, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs. The school is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students.