ArtLab is a parent-volunteer-led program that brings together parents, staff, and community arts professionals. Our mission is to harness the creative talents of our community, offering students vibrant and engaging artistic experiences.

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Program Curriculum

At Hamilton, students engage in a dynamic and comprehensive approach to visual arts, integrating a variety of artistic practices with literacy to deepen their understanding and expression.

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PreK

Students will explore colors, shapes, and textures through hands-on activities like drawing, painting, and crafting. They'll develop creativity and self-expression while learning about famous artists and experimenting with different materials in fun, interactive ways.​

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Kinder- 5th Grade

Students will engage with a wide range of artistic practices, including drawing, painting, sculpture, fabric arts, mixed media, digital art, and art history. They will explore various styles, artists, and art movements, from the classics to contemporary, broadening their visual art understanding and learning the language of art. The development of this program and each lesson is ongoing, with careful integration of visual art into our K-8 literacy curriculum, where students connect art with literature. Our aim is to make complex concepts accessible to all students, reinforcing the themes and ideas they encounter in their readings through hands-on art exploration and discussion.

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Middle School

At the start of the year, Middle School students select their elective art classes from a diverse range of offerings.

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ART FUSION

Students will explore a creative blend of painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media in Art Fusion, experimenting with various techniques and materials to encourage innovation and self-expression. By the end of the course, they will have developed a diverse portfolio that reflects their personal style and artistic growth.

 

pHOTOGRAPHY

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of digital photography, including camera settings, composition, lighting, and post-processing techniques. Through hands-on practice and creative assignments, students will explore various photographic styles, develop their artistic vision, and create a portfolio showcasing their growth as photographers.

 

CONSTRUCTION

Students learn to safely operate both hand and power tools, while gaining skills in measuring and cutting raw materials to build a variety of projects for use throughout the school.

 

​Later in the year, Middle School students can choose from a variety of classes that support the school’s annual musical production.

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CAST

Students memorize and practice lines, lyrics, songs, blocking, and choreography, each taking on different roles and parts. The process culminates in a live performance where they showcase their skills and teamwork for an audience.

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COSTUME DESIGN

Students create costumes that align with the production’s theme and characters, using hand sewing, fabric cutting, pattern design, and machine sewing to bring their creative visions to life.

 

SET DESIGN

Students learn about theater production and design by collaborating with the production team to design and build sets for Shrek (our musical this year), ensuring they align with the director’s vision and are safe for the actors. This class will combine traditional classroom instruction with hands-on learning experiences using a range of materials, including wood, fabric, paint, foam, hardware, power tools, lighting, props, rigging materials, tools, and safety gear.

 

MEDIA DESIGN

Students will design one of four unique Playbill covers for printing, create artwork for monitor signage at the concession stand, and design visuals for cast shirts, posters, and flyers, using multimedia programs and digital camera equipment. Start to finish, learn box modeling and a sub-d workflow, export the geo, prep slicing for print, and finish final assembly.

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STAGE CREW

Manage sound and lighting for the show, oversee set changes, and organize and coordinate the prop tables. These tasks ensure the performance runs smoothly and seamlessly from start to finish.

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Showcases & Exhibition Submissions:

• A Tribute to American Artists

Friday, December 13th 2024 

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• CPS All City Visual Arts Exhibition Submission

March 13th, 2025

(Click here to view ArtLab projects)

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• Global Arts Fair- Marketplace 

Friday, May 30th 2025

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