Joyce Zsembery, Supervisor of the Arts, [zsembejs@pwcs.edu ]
Kim Chandler, Secretary for the Office of the Arts, [CHANDLKR@pwcs.edu]
Debbie Barnard, Administrative Coordinator for the Arts, [barnardd@pwcs.edu]
The Fine Arts teaching staff in Prince William County Schools is charged with providing skills and knowledge so students can become risk takers, creative problem solvers, and producers of original and expressive art. Through the elements of art and the principles of design, art students explore the different components of art education: Aesthetic perception, art history and culture, creative expression, art criticism, and critical thinking skills. We expect students to undertake a life adventure of seeing, thinking, feeling, and reacting to the visual arts.
Art students at Henderson Elementary School explore the many creative possibilities with paint. During the Spring Art Exhibit at Tyler Elementary, students viewed the display of student art work while writing their own critique of their favorite pieces. |
The Elementary Art Program is an introduction to the visual arts using a wide range of subject matter, art vocabulary, symbols, meaningful images, and visual experiences to reflect each student's creative ideas. Opportunities for the integration of historical and cultural contexts are emplasized at all grade levels. Students build on their art skills and knowledge each year to increase their literacy in the visual arts and to expland their ability to describe, analyze, interpret, and respond to works of art.
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The Middle School Art Program continues to develop each student's art knowledge, vocabulary, techniques, processes, and skills. Individual creative expression is emphasized in artistic problem-solving experiences. Continued study of historical and cultural contexts offers students insight into the role of the visual arts in human achievement. Students continue to refine their ability to investigate and respond to works of art. Art students at Beville Middle School combined their talents to create a wall mural to inspire the school community. Eighth grade art students at Potomac Middle School master the art of weaving by creating their own designs in their baskets. Art students at Benton Middle wore French berets to enhance the " French Impressionist" theme of their Spring Art Exhibit. Benton Middle School hallways and cafeteria were overflowing with the amazing art of the students. The Art Program at Godwin Middle School featured fall and spring displays of their fantastic student art work throughout the main hallways and auditorium of the school. |
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The High School Art Program is a concentration in the visual arts for students to expand their creative expression. As students develop greater fluency in visual, oral, and written communication in the language of art, they exhibit stronger artistic competence. Opportunities to reflect on the artistic achievements of others are emphasized throughout the program. The relationship of historical and cultural contexts builds a stronger understanding of the impact of the visual world in which they live.
Asian fan painting from art students at Gar-Field High School.
Ceramic artwork from Prince William County took many awards at the Alexandria High School Ceramic competition.
Ashley Sampson from Forest Park High School poses with her vase that won an honorable mention in the Alexandria High School Ceramic Competition.
Ceramic sculptures and coil pieces from Freedom High School art students were also recognized with numerous awards in Alexandria.
Click here to view the Visual Arts Curriculum 
Monthly Exhibits of student work in the Student Learning and Professional Development Building focus on the Elements of Art from the Visual Art Curriculum. The Prince William County Visual Arts curriculum is sequential, and was developed by county art teachers. The curriculum is discipline-based, aligned with National Standards and Virginia Fine Arts Standards of Learning. The specialists in the Visual Arts are charged with providing skills and knowledge so students can become producers of original and expressive art. Through the elements of art and the principles of design, art students explore the different components of art education: aesthetic perception, art history, and culture, creative expression, art criticism, and critical thinking skills which can be applied in all disciplines.