The art teacher is responsible for encouraging and teaching art at St.
Joseph School. All grades receive art. Last year the school purchased a kiln
and the children have had an opportunity to create ceramic glazed pieces such as
crosses, bowls, plates, tiles and molded forms. The clay program is only one of
many activities among which are acrylic painting on
canvas board, copper reponseé, scratch board, murals, stitchery, puppets,
weaving, sculpture, papier maché, collage, drawing, painting and sketching.
Student work is regularly exhibited in the school and main showcase. There
is also an annual exhibit of student work at the Menomonie Public Library in
February.
On a monthly basis, the art teacher gives art history slide/video/book
lectures on fine art- the foundation of which is the art of Western Europe,
including sacred art and gradually including the art of various cultures,
religions and countries. Several times a year projects with religious themes
are introduced into the classroom curriculum. As a follow-up to the art history
instruction, the teacher has begun an annual spring trip (3rd year) to the
Minneapolis Institute of Art. This year the students visited the “Eternal
Egypt” exhibit from the British Museum in London, England.
St Joseph School has a Fine Arts Club, The Guild of St Luke (Patron Saint of
Artists) for children who want more art instruction. The club meets 10 Friday
afternoons each semester and has grown to over 25 members with a waiting list.
The fee is nominal to cover supplies. The club finishes the year with a drawing
trip/picnic at the Como Zoo and Botanical Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The fall semester visits the Department of Art and Design at UW Stout so the
children can see a real art school with painting, printmats, and sculpture
studios, gallery and students at work in them.
The students at St. Joseph School are creative, open to new challenges and
experiences and a joy with which to work. Thank you.
