The goals of visual art education are:
- develop skills with a variety of media
- nurture the natural joy of creating
- help children develop an appreciation for art created by the great masters, contemporary artists, and artists from around the world
Art is integrated throughout the curriculum in all classes and largely taught by individual classroom teachers. Students draw, paint, collage, chalk, stamp, make dioramas, create sculptures, and much more as a way to respond to reading, express understanding of scientific or mathematical concepts, culminate a unit of study, celebrate a holiday, express emotions, or even just to have fun trying new techniques..
In addition, all students have art classes. The art curriculum includes lessons that are based on the elements of art — line, shape, form, color, texture, value, and space — and are often inspired by the works of famous artists. When possible, guest artists are brought in to work on a variety of techniques or special projects.
Students in all classes keep an art portfolio that collects their work throughout the year and participate in art contests throughout the year, such as the Hawai’i State Library System Book Poster Contest. Non-juried student Art Shows provide an opportunity for students to share and display their artwork.
