Middle & Upper School Arts
Where creativity comes to life...
Visual Arts
Beginning in middle school, students are exposed to a variety of techniques and art media. They will work with drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital materials. They learn about how every artist expresses themselves differently, showing what they value, enjoy, their culture, and their individuality. Middle school students learn to gather inspiration from a variety of sources including life, photographs, memory and imagination. Each year they increase their observational and technical skills, while at the same time pushing the boundaries of their creativity. The Middle School arts program consists of trimester long courses in visual arts, drama and music for all three grades, 6, 7 and 8.
Regardless of ability or experience, students are encouraged to explore their creative side through Barrie’s Arts program. From introductory courses and advanced independent studies, to open mics and Extended Study Week programs, Barrie students can dip a toe in the arts curriculum or dive in head first. Student voice is a key ingredient for creative endeavors at Barrie. Teachers embrace the individual perspectives students bring to their art. Teachers coach students to improve the quality of their work and engage with new ideas. They do not dictate, but listen carefully to each student’s intention. Young artists at Barrie are encouraged to be brave in their choices, and are in a supportive environment when they take risks.
Students in visual art classes work similarly to professional artists: experimenting, collaborating, and practicing to develop strong compositions with movement and focus. Their goal is to create work that has personal meaning that can be conveyed to others. Through this process they develop the skills and confidence needed to display artwork, and become life-long creators. Students in upper school can choose electives in visual arts, drama, or music.
Sample Upper School Visual Arts Electives
- Painting
- Portraiture
- Ceramics
- Figure Drawing
- Nature in Art
- Digital Art
- Creative Lettering
- Dwellings
- Illustration
- Portfolio Development
If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.
Vincent Van Gogh
Performing Arts
Barrie Middle and Upper School offers an exciting array of performing arts opportunities for students that teach the techniques, skills, and mindset to be a productive and engaged artist. We model a professional environment for our dramatic productions, theater tech classes, and instrumental and choral rehearsals. Students enrolled in performing arts classes exhibit their work at Arts Night each trimester. The Middle School arts program consists of trimester long courses in visual arts, drama and music. These classes include students in grades 6-8.
Each spring, the musical generates excitement across the school. Industry professionals collaborate with Barrie faculty and students to share their experience and introduce the techniques and technologies they use in their careers.
Performing Arts classes take place in the Safer Blackbox Theater. This dynamic space transforms to showcase vocal and instrumental music performances, a fall dramatic production, and the Spring Musical. Students not only perform in the spaces, but they are also trained in sound, lighting, media and set design, equipment maintenance, in addition to stage and production management. As a prepared environment for students to rehearse, compose, and record music, Safer Theater invites students to explore their creativity, using a variety of electronic and acoustic instruments and a portable studio. Students in Upper School can choose electives in visual arts, drama, or music.
Sample Upper School PERFORMING Arts Electives
- Band
- Musical Theater
- Technical Theater
- Improvisation
RECENT MUSICALS AND PLAYS
- Once Upon A Mattress
- Alice in Wonderland
- Hairspray
- The Wiz
- Beauty and the Beast Jr.
- Once on This Island
- The Crucible