Celebrating the Visual Arts

Visual arts are an important part of the LJCDS experience, from the youngest Torreys through Grade 12. This year, the annual All-School Art Exhibition returned after a hiatus due to COVD, showcasing mixed media art projects from all divisions. Two LJCDS students won awards in countywide art competitions, and artworks from eight Upper School students were selected to be displayed in the Groff Exhibition. Back on campus, artist-in-residence Jesse Colin Jackson engaged students with his interactive Marching Cubes installation.

It’s back and better than ever. The all-school exhibition features work from visual arts students in junior kindergarten through Grade 12. Community Hall transformed into a gallery space that presents an opportunity for students to see the culmination of their hard work, creativity and vivid imagination come together as a whole.

“For my young students to be able to see their artwork displayed alongside older students' work gives them an incredible sense of worthiness and pride,” shares Porschia Talbot, Lower School visual arts educator. “Because of COVID, this will be the first time a lot of students are seeing their artwork displayed; it's very exciting!”

Students’ year-long experiences incorporate studio art exercises, discussions and experimentations that highlight art as a critical form of communication. The result is a variety of 2D and 3D art through drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, photography and multimedia platforms.

“Our Middle School students have experimented with a variety of ideas demonstrating their unique personalities and distinct sensibilities that best reflect who they are at this time in their lives,” shares Lissa Corona, Middle School visual arts educator. “Building their confidence in the studio and developing a community of young artists who support one another and celebrate each other's efforts is of the utmost importance.”

As the students’ work evolves into final pieces, they are prepared for gallery presentation. Teaching students about the importance of sharing their creations is key to the development of their artistic voices and practices.

“Upper School students are showing a selection of works from different in-class projects,” explains Ivy Guild, Upper School visual arts educator. “I love the opportunity for my students to publicly own their artwork and show it to their community. Artistic voice and authorship are key factors in my curriculum, and I think this is an enriching part of that learning process.” 

Eight Upper School students were chosen to display their art in the Groff Exhibition at the City Gallery at San Diego City College and online. The California Art Education Association San Diego Chapter designed this exhibition to be the peak of standards-based and competitively juried annual student art exhibitions in the county. Submissions were open to all high school students in San Diego County with no restrictions on art media.

Congratulations to these LJCDS artists: 

Jesse Colin Jackson, a Canadian artist and designer based in Southern California, spent time with students in all divisions encouraging them to create sculptures using his interactive Marching Cubes. Jesse’s Marching Cubes performances and installations have been featured in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Mexico City, Stockholm and Tehran.