Fine arts courses at Tabor are designed to encourage and develop the undiscovered artist lurking within. A classically based curriculum emphasizes drawing and painting techniques, while encouraging students to explore a wide spectrum of subject matter.  Early lessons help students learn how to see, deconstructing a complex three-dimensional world into small bits of visual information.  Latter courses challenge students’ imagination and creativity with more abstract and symbolic work, encouraging students to draw from meaningful events in their lives, using art as a tool for telling stories and sharing experiences.

Introductory and intermediate level courses are semester-long explorations in the disciplines of drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Students of all levels of experience are welcome to enroll in these minors, regardless of grade or age. Immediate immersion in experimental lessons with charcoal, gouache, and paper collage helps erase apprehension, while opening doors unto inner creativity. 

Minor level courses prepare students for the yearlong creative adventure open to serious artists, Advanced Art Major. Advanced Majors work to develop a portfolio for the college application process, producing a body of work in the first few months of senior year. At this level of study, students have the opportunity to work on large-scale works, advanced concepts in drawing and painting, and finish the year with a cohesive body of work exploring a single theme, subject, and medium of interest. Advanced majors take a trip to New York City each spring, along with majors from the ceramics, photo, and art history departments, exploring the Guggenheim, Metropolitan, and Whitney museums.

For the student interested in the arts, yet unable to fit a course into his or her academic schedule, an after school arts program runs all three co-curricular seasons of the year. The studio is open in the after school hours to driven, self-motivated artists. Loose creative guidance is given in a relaxed, open studio atmosphere.  Students can explore a wide range of mediums and techniques of their choosing, concluding the season with a large body of work, and a wide range of artistic experiences.

Exhibits and Opportunities

Work from all visual arts classes is on a continual rotation, exhibited at various locations across Tabor’s campus including the Academic Center, Lillard Hall, and the Braitmayer Art Center Gallery.

Each year select student work is chosen for admission in the Boston Globe’s Scholastic Art Award Competition, as well as other local competitions.

All art students have the opportunity to exhibit and sell work through the Winter Art’s Auction, held each February.

Art students have the opportunity to submit work to “Bowsprit”, a student led organization, publishing fine art pieces along with creative literary work.

Students have the opportunity to work with visiting artists, some local and some from around the world, gaining unique perspectives on creating works and exploring new techniques, while being exposed to the life and work of a professional artist.