Art

Visual Arts Program K-2

The Art4Schools program for grades Kindergarten, first, and second is provided by the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) via the Saratoga Education Foundation. The Community School of Music and Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit center for arts education serving the Bay Area. 

The Art4Schools program consists of in-depth, skill-building and sequential art lessons that meet the California State Visual and Performing Arts Standards for Art. Taught by professional CSMA visual arts instructors, this program emphasizes four major areas:

• Creative expression
• Appreciation of the cultural and historical foundation of art
• Understanding of the language of art
• Development of technical skills.

Each K-2 class will have 12 lessons focusing on drawing and painting with an introduction to ceramics, sculpture and basic three-dimensional concepts. Students develop basic technical skills, as well as learn concepts such as line, shape, value, form and color. Lessons are often inspired by a master artist or a cultural/historical context that encourages students to explore topics from other perspectives.

Visual Arts Program Grades 3-5

Students in elementary school grades 3-5 receive art instruction both by a certified Art Teacher, as well as through parent volunteers via the Art Docent Program.

The fine art curriculum is designed to nurture children’s curiosity and creativity and to encourage self-expression through hands-on projects. Lessons focus on the elements of art and principles of design; project and art techniques vary every year.

Students receive ten hours of studio art each school year. All docent and studio art lessons meet the California State Standards for the Visual Arts.

The Art program is made possible by generous parent and community donations to the Saratoga Education Foundation

Visual Arts Program Grades 6-8

For grades 7-8, students have the option to take Studio Art as an elective. In this class, students are introduced to a variety of art mediums such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics and much more. The class is organized into three sections: painting/drawing, ceramics, and crafts/sculpture.

Painting/drawing artworks include learning charcoal drawing, pencil drawing, colored pencil drawing, watercolor and acrylic painting.

The ceramic section entails the basics of slab building, coiling, pinching, glazing and using drape molds. Projects include how to build many functional and sculptural projects such as making dishes, vessels and sculpture.  During crafts/sculpture we will make functional objects that have artistic flare and use the concepts of art.

The crafts/sculpture section includes linoleum printmaking, silk painting, leather work, and paper mache sculpture.

No previous classes or acquired skills are required. 

6th graders take Studio Art for several weeks during the school year as part of the Exploratory Wheel elective.

Students may take Studio Art in both 7th and 8th grade. Curriculum is differentiated for past experience and development level.