Arts

What is an Atelier?

An Atelier is a learning space. A place of research, invention, and empathy expressed through a number of symbolic languages. Language symbolism of a child refers to communication and emphasizes the importance of providing children with many different ways to share their thinking about the world around them. The languages also represent the infinite amount of potential each child naturally has and each child’s individual view and understanding of their community. Our Atelier is a shared environment, in which children will engage with varied materials in ways designed to provoke creativity and discovery. These invitations to learn usually take the form of a study or project-based learning experience. Play is an authentic mode of discovery for children, and the Atelier offers children space and time to dive deep into their curiosity. These studies are closely linked to classroom learning and curricular outcomes. Atelier experiences are also deeply tied to child voice, allowing each child agency to follow their own wonders while in a space of co-learning with educators.

In the Atelier, children have the opportunity to get messy, try new things, make mistakes, and experiment. The atelierista, in partnership with the classroom teachers, honors children’s wonders and knowledge. Working closely with the children, the atelierista curates fresh, personalized environments that inspire new thinking for each child. The children treat the Atelier like a working studio; materials are abundant and available, and there is ample space to create with many different mediums. In these conditions, community is born, a story is written, and magic is made.

For Lower School students, the arts are very much about process, exploration, and self-expression, not product. These emerging artists explore multiple media and grow their gifts and build skills in our dedicated art studio. They also create and feel their way through rhythm and melody to join together in song in the music room. Voices, ukuleles, recorders, Orff instruments, and more give them opportunities to explore sound. Creative movement is also explored with theatrical experiences in our after-school enrichment program, in partnership with TOAD, to embrace their developing bodies and find windows and mirrors in the world around them.

Beginning in Kindergarten and continuing through the Upper School, orchestral string instrument and private piano lessons are offered on campus before, during, or after the school day. After-school theater opportunities are offered for all ages.

In our Middle School, the arts program offers students the chance to explore and excel in both visual and performing arts. We provide a diverse range of courses that allow students to delve into various techniques and work with different artistic mediums in the visual arts curriculum, such as drawing, painting, clay sculpture, and digital art.

Additionally, we offer an extensive selection of opportunities in the performing arts, including theater, improv, costuming, choral ensemble, instrumental ensembles (band or orchestra), as well as private study options for strings or piano. Our Innovation Lab serves as a dedicated space equipped with tools for students to become creators and makers, enabling them to express their ideas using a wide range of materials. Moreover, our electives program presents a multitude of choices in the arts. 

Charles Wright Academy is home to exceptional visual and performing arts programs featuring a breadth of courses and creative opportunities facilitated by our talented faculty. Students are encouraged to participate throughout their Upper School careers to achieve deep learning and appreciation for the arts. All students enjoy at least one year each of visual and performing arts courses, although many students choose to take four years.

The Center for the Visual Arts features spacious classrooms for ceramics, printmaking, painting, and more, while the Language and Performing Arts Center has both large and private practice rooms, a digital music mixing studio, and a modern black box theater.