Art Department
All pupils at Downside are encouraged to experience art in its widest sense and to work with different media, processes and resources. Within a lively and creative working environment, pupils are taught by specialist artists and designers who bring the subject to life. Through the breadth and variety of work involved pupils develop a range of skills: the ability to record accurately in visual form; to undertake research and explore available resources; to plan and develop personal ideas and translate and communicate these in many different visual forms.
Pupils have the opportunity to make use of spacious and well-equipped studios to complete their work, with the U6 A Level Art students having their own studio space. Gallery and Museum visits play an integral part of the learning process and the study of artist’s and designer’s work. In addition, there are a range of after school clubs for Juniors, 3rd Form and weekly activity sessions covering areas such as textiles, ceramics and illustration. Special prep sessions run twice a week for GCSE and A level students as well as Sunday afternoon open studio which is staffed by the department. There are also weekly life drawing classes for A level Fine Art in the Lent Term. The department run an annual residential trip to Cornwall for GCSE students and trips abroad. Every year we have students going on to study a wide range of creative disciplines at university including Fine Art, Textile Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Illustration and Architecture.
The Art Department runs a yearly inter-house art competition with Art Scholars taking the lead in their houses to form a team of creative students, from all year groups, to work on the artworks.
Downside has an annual Artist in Residence who is an important member of the Art Department. In their allocated studio they develop their own projects but also take part in art lessons throughout the week as well as running workshops and masterclasses.
ERICA WILLIAMS
Head of Art
EWilliams@downside.co.uk
