Fine Arts

OFFERED 2025-2026

  • 2025-2026 Time & Tuition
    • Fridays, once a month (see application/registration form for list); 10:30 am – 2:00 pm Eastern; Please bring a snack or light lunch for our break
    • $60 per student per month (10 months, August 2025 through May 2026); Does not include materials listed below (needed for each student); however, there is no additional materials fee for supplies used occasionally and shared by the class
  • Location: Signal Mountain, Tennessee
  • Grades: 6th-12th grades
  • Description: This course surveys the development of Western art and music from ancient times to the present. Handel’s Messiah will be studied in full. Students gain greater appreciation for works by the masters because the course incorporates basic instruction in observational drawing, painting, and music theory. No prior instruction in drawing/painting or music reading is necessary.
  • Assignments: Students continue with guided study of each era’s art and music – and guided practice of their art and music skills – between class meetings. Each student’s art is assembled for a portfolio displayed at the December and May Defense Days. Interested students may elect to perform a musical piece for the December and May Defense Days – but this is not a requirement.
  • Assessment: This is an activity course, so it is marked on a pass/fail basis: a Pass indicates that the student has completed all assignments and demonstrated some improvement in his or her art and/or music skills/understanding over the course of the year; a Fail indicates that the student has not done so. Note that completing all assignments diligently should allow the student to improve his or her skills.
  • Materials needed:
    • Sketchbook (9″x12″ is a good size)
    • Drawing pencils (basic set, with charcoal and blending tortillons)
    • Heavy white paper (cardstock or artists’ painting paper)
    • Acrylic paints (at least black, white, red, blue, yellow)
    • Watercolor paints (at least black, red, blue, yellow)
    • Paint brushes (mix of large, medium, and fine tips)
    • Paper plates or paint palette
    • Small jar or cup for water
    • 3-ring binder with sheet protectors, or sturdy folder, for portfolio
    • Optional: Large shirt or apron, especially for working with acrylic paints
    • Optional: Portfolio

Why bother with art, especially during junior or senior year?

  • This course is centered around taking time to stop and focus on beautiful things.
  • Students taking, or who have taken, Modern History, will get a great review and reinforcement of material they are studying or have studied.
  • Students taking Senior Thesis can use projects from Fine Arts for their Senior Thesis books.
  • Most importantly, the arts are amazing!