Visual Arts
Fine Arts
The Goal of the Visual Arts Program at Morris Catholic
In all forms of art we continually strive to answer questions: Does it move me? Does it please me? Does it force me to see and think in a way I have never tried before?
Studies show that there are specific “studio habits of mind” which help to teach a set of thinking skills rarely addressed in other areas of curriculum. These skills are persistence – working through frustration and setbacks to create a finished piece, expression – of one’s voice or opinion, making clear connections – school work to the outside world, observation – seeing what is really there instead of what one thinks is there, envisioning – forming mental images internally as a guide, innovation – experimenting with the various mediums and not being afraid to make mistakes but in fact learn from them and of course, self evaluation – a series of reflective questions. What did I set out to do? Did I accomplish my goal? What could I have done differently?
Studies show that there are specific “studio habits of mind” which help to teach a set of thinking skills rarely addressed in other areas of curriculum. These skills are persistence – working through frustration and setbacks to create a finished piece, expression – of one’s voice or opinion, making clear connections – school work to the outside world, observation – seeing what is really there instead of what one thinks is there, envisioning – forming mental images internally as a guide, innovation – experimenting with the various mediums and not being afraid to make mistakes but in fact learn from them and of course, self evaluation – a series of reflective questions. What did I set out to do? Did I accomplish my goal? What could I have done differently?
We are proud to strive toward these goals and thank you for sharing your precious children with us in the wonderful educational journey.
Courses Available
Our program consists of Visual Arts I, II, III, IV Honors, AP 2D, AP 2D Drawing and AP 3D in addition to Graphic Arts I, II, III Honors and Publications. We believe that artwork should be shared as opposed to housed in a portfolio, so to that end we have two in school art exhibits annually, giving every art student an opportunity to display at least one piece of artwork. In addition, we participate in several outside exhibits such as the Blackwell Street Artists Exhibit, Morris County Teen Arts and the Congressional Art Exhibit (11th District). We are also involved in several art contests such Hats Off for Helmets with The Morristown Hospital and the annual Morris County Cover Contest for the office of the Morris County Clerk.
Our program consists of Visual Arts I, II, III, IV Honors, AP 2D, AP 2D Drawing and AP 3D in addition to Graphic Arts I, II, III Honors and Publications. We believe that artwork should be shared as opposed to housed in a portfolio, so to that end we have two in school art exhibits annually, giving every art student an opportunity to display at least one piece of artwork. In addition, we participate in several outside exhibits such as the Blackwell Street Artists Exhibit, Morris County Teen Arts and the Congressional Art Exhibit (11th District). We are also involved in several art contests such Hats Off for Helmets with The Morristown Hospital and the annual Morris County Cover Contest for the office of the Morris County Clerk.
ART CLUB - every student is welcome to join in and pick up a brush. Projects vary from in-school murals and set designs to outside community service projects.
CHRISTMAS FINE ARTS EXHIBIT This collaborative event with the performing arts department is held every year before Christmas. Every art student has at least one piece of art work on display.
SPRING FINE ARTS EXHIBIT Every spring there is a collaborative concert and fine arts exhibit. Our spring exhibit also includes a special, juried, 7th & 8th student art exhibit in addition to Morris Catholic art students.
Kristen Cregg "Papa's Flag" oil pastel
Won 3rd place recognition in the state of NJ - VFW Ladies Auxiliary competition. This piece portrays Kristen's grandmother receiving a flag on behalf of her grandfather.
This year's 11th District Congressional Art Exhibit 2021 was virtual but it didn't stop two of our visual art students from having their work selected to be on display all summer and throughout the upcoming school year.
Morris County Teen Arts 2021 took place this year virtually. Ava's artwork - Sunny the dog and Declan's reenactment of the vintage photo - Construction Workers on a beam were selected to be in the top ten entries. Both received gift certificates for Dick Blick art supplies.
Conner's design won first place in the 2021 Morris County Manual Cover Design Contest and as such will have his design reproduced on the cover of the informational booklet which will be distributed throughout Morris County. His bio and Alessandra's will be included inside. Alessandra's design took third place. Both received scholarship money for their efforts.
Even though we were virtual March through June 2020 we still had some really exciting things happen.
Lindsey Mei Alvarez had her piece of artwork selected at this year's 11th District Congressional Art Exhibit to be on display in Mikie Sherrill's office in Washington, DC for the entire coming year!
Art classes took a fun break to reenact some vintage photos, posters, movie scenes. The end results were amazing as you can see below!
It looks like it became a fun family project for some!
This annual contest is sponsored by Northern New Jersey Safe Kids, the Trauma & Injury Prevention Service of Morristown Medical Center, Mountain Creek and Pelican Ski Shop. The purpose is to design a logo that will inspire everyone to use a helmet when you ride or ski!
This contest is sponsored every year by Northern NJ Safe Kids, the Trauma & Injury Prevention Service of Morristown Medical Center, Mountain Creek and Pelican Ski Shop to encourage the wearing of helmets when skiing or snowboarding.