Visual Arts

The Visual Arts Department provides a program that offers students an opportunity to build skills, express ideas and to become visually literate and aesthetically aware. Our curriculum focuses on cultivating an understanding of design, the development of both traditional and technology-based artistic skills, and stimulation of visual and creative thinking. While traditional drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture mark the cornerstones of our curricular foundation we encourage our students to work in technology-based and experiment with the visual limits of these traditions.

Students are encouraged to develop their imaginations and experiment with visual language as they cultivate their own personal visions in supportive classes. We want our students to learn to use their imagination freely and promote its use as a creative tool. Our students are encouraged to embrace failure as a part of the creative process, to learn from and build upon the lessons this affords. Our curriculum prepares those students who wish to pursue the visual arts at a professional level and develops a deep interest in the visual arts, fostering a lifetime appreciation and engagement with the visual arts. Across all divisions students are introduced to different artists and movements from the history of art, often through interdisciplinary approaches.

Did You Know...

  • Almost 60% of Upper School students participate in the visual arts; we offer four full-year courses and a dozen electives.
  • 15% of seniors take AP Portfolio. Their work, which includes ink drawings, representational and abstract painting, printmaking, sculpture, architecture and digital creations, reflects the wide range of artistic approaches our student's experience as underclasswomen.
  • Annually we organize many field trips to area museums and art galleries, such as the MET, the Guggenheim, MoMA, the Montclair Art Museum and the Brooklyn Museum.
  • Primary School students experience an in-depth investigation of art history as well as the work of indigenous peoples.
  • In the seventh and eighth grades, 25% of our girls choose arts electives, such as 3D Design/Sculpture and Let's Face It, a class that focuses on observing and creating portraits based on a variety of ideas from art history and contemporary culture.
  • The Art Department began an initiative to put together individual digital portfolios to catalog much of the work each of our students has created in Primary School through Grade 12.
  • All students have the opportunity to exhibit work both in the school gallery and in local art exhibitions.

Learn

View Our Course Offerings

Primary School
Middle School
Upper School

Meet the Department

List of 4 members.

  • Mr. Carey Gates 

    Department Chair / US Art
    University of Pennsylvania - B.F.A.
    Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts - M.F.A.
    Bio

  • Ms. Marie Micchelli 

    MS Art
    Montclair State University - B.A.
    Montclair State University - M.A.
    Bio

  • Mr. Ken Weathersby 

    US Art
    University of Southern Mississippi - B.F.A.
    Cranbrook Academy of Art - M.F.A.
    Bio

  • Ms. Melissa M Wood 

    PS Art
    Wesleyan University - Connecticut - B.A.
    Wesleyan University - Connecticut - M.A.L.S.
    Bio
Kent Place School is an all-girls K through 12 independent college preparatory day school with a coeducational Preschool, located in Summit, NJ.

  • TEST WHAT'S "EXPECTED."

    That's our mantra in robotics. Try crazy things, be free with your ideas, and see what happens. If you're going to build the future, you'll need to be a pioneer. –Emma, seventh grade

  • LEAN INTO DIFFICULTY.

    When it comes to academics, it pays to challenge yourself. I'm in the Bioethics Symposium, presenting research on the ethics of genetically-enhanced intelligence. At times it's daunting—research, deadlines, time management—but it's also a whole new way of thinking. Very independent and "you-driven." –Isabella, sophomore

  • OWN YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE

    It's one of the "conversation norms" we have at Kent Place, and it's always resonated with me. Everyone has a different and equally valid perspective to bring to the table—so put yourself out there. –Mary, senior

  • DON’T THINK YOU’RE GOING TO GET A LABEL.

    There are no jocks here at Kent Place, no science geeks, no theater nerds. Last month a varsity athlete went to sing at the Vatican. Everyone here has some unique quality — and they’re amazing at what they do. –Claire, senior

  • REACH BEYOND WHAT YOU THINK YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH.

    You'll face plenty of challenges, but push through them. Brilliant women use their resources: their teachers, our studios and library and, of course, each other. If you're stuck, collaboration can almost always get you across the finish line. –Suzanne Carreno-Powers, Math Teacher and STEM Coordinator

  • GET READY FOR RIGOROUS WORK.

    And multiple extracurricular activities. Busy days, and a few late nights. But through it all, don’t lose your sense of fun. –Alessandra, junior

  • MAKE CONNECTIONS.

    KPS alumnae are amazing. I met one alumna after a math and science panel who works in retail architecture. That made me think about a cool way to combine two of my interests — math and fashion. –Amber, junior

  • YOUR TIME AT KPS IS GOING TO OPEN UP OPTIONS YOU HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT.

    And when it's time to choose, you're going to know yourself so well, you'll pick the college that's the best fit for you—academically, socially, personally. So don't get tunnel vision. This is your process. Just know that you'll be ready! –Jennifer Simpson, Director of College Advising

  • SOLVING PROBLEMS IS A JOURNEY, ENJOY THE RIDE!

    In the Middle School we do a Science Expo—either two or four people work on a science project for a couple of months and then present it to the entire class. We go into some in-depth projects and it’s incredible what we learn along the way, and how willing our teachers are to help us through the tough parts. –Toni Ann, eighth grade

  • SPEAK YOUR MIND.

    Every girl here learns from an early age how to speak up and speak to adults. You never feel silly raising your hand, and you’re given lots of opportunities to speak publicly. I’m never shy about saying what’s on my mind. –Vittoria, fourth grade

  • ETHICS WILL CHANGE YOUR ENTIRE OUTLOOK.

    Right away, we tackled questions of "right versus right." We're learning to look at every issue from both sides, which helps with everything from homework to friendships. –Elizabeth, eighth grade