ADVANCED ART PORTFOLIO
Advanced art students who are in the process of preparing a body of work towards a portfolio have the opportunity to participate in our Advanced Art Portfolio course. This rigorous year-long experience is for passionate and serious artists who have had success in one or more mediums and courses and allows them to develop a cohesive body of work that represents their overall achievement in art.
David Scott ‘25
Lily Winston ‘25
Zitian Catherine Li ‘27
Kuralay Abdeshkyzy ‘26
Yunran Angel Hu ’25
Yuetong Tom Yan ’27
Katherine Hull ’26
It has been really nice to have a space at Cushing with the Advanced Portfolio where I can come and work creatively. It’s a class, but it’s more than that — it’s like an independent study that gives you the space and time to work. I like being able to come in during afternoon activity — that’s something really unique from any other school I’ve seen — and it’s given me so much time to work on my pieces and get better.
In this green painting, I was exploring motion — I was inspired by the artist Robert Longo. I’ve always thought his iconic work was really interesting, like you can’t tell the difference if the people he’s portraying are dancing or getting shot. And I always thought that movement was really interesting. That was something I was kind of trying to tap into, that really eccentric movement. This year, I’ve been exploring a lot of different painting techniques — like washes and impasto. I started working with acrylics, but then I tried a landscape with oils — and that’s when I found out that I liked painting with oils. I started with a big canvas — and I didn’t have a plan exactly, but it turned out really well, and I started using those same techniques on a lot of the other paintings I’ve done since.
The support in the art department is amazing. They help give you different ways to look at your work that you might not have thought about before, whether that’s critiques or technical advice. I have done so many paintings this year… I feel like I have really found my calling. I plan on applying to studio art for college.
Zitian Catherine Li ‘27
Yunhan Eissis Yu ‘25
Molly Wang ’27
Jinhao Han ‘26
Renee Xue ‘28
Yuetong Tom Yan ’27
ARCHITECTURE
Grounded in a design-thinking approach, students experience problem-solving methods in preparation for tackling complex structure challenges, sculptural construction, and product design fabrication. Creative and imaginative threedimensional form and space-making foster an understanding of global historical context and design vocabulary and technique. Students also use strategies to conceptualize sustainable environments that reduce negative environmental impacts holistically.
Maaya Higashi ’26
Nicole Dantus ’26
Jaehyo Daniel Choi ‘26
Andres Moral Gonzalez ’26
Devin Mehta ’26
Jaehyo Daniel Choi ’26
Jaehyo Daniel Choi ‘26
Marcelo Munoz Hinojosa ’27
Since I was a kid, I’ve loved building houses with Legos. And I’ve always liked drawing. My grandfather was a civil engineer, and my aunt is an architect — so as I’ve grown up, I’ve just connected all those things that I like. Even when I’m not working on a specific project, I find myself watching YouTube videos or reading books about building or architecture. So it’s something I’ve always had a strong interest in.
This has been my first time taking an architecture class and it’s been really, really fun. We do a lot of projects and drawing. I’ve learned how to create 3D models on the iPad, and this was also my first time doing a physical model with real materials. We even had a guest speaker — an architect from Spain — who talked to us about a hotel he designed in Cancun, where each room had its own unique environment that expressed how it existed in the nature around it.
With the support of Ms. Eschenbach, I recently entered an architecture competition called 120 Hours. They give you five days to create a project based on a theme. This year, it was to create an exhibition pavilion to express the art of loss, and it was really challenging. It’s hard to explain the things you’ve lost… like the difference between the things you lose every single day and your biggest losses, like losing a father or a family member. You had to be concise, you had to express your idea in just two pages. So it was hard. It was fun, but I didn’t sleep at all the last two days.
Kobe Lavin ’28, Ava Weigold ’28
Maaya Higashi ’26, Katerina Alexander-Kapon ’28
Nicole Dantus Rabinovitz ’26, Hanna Laurence Bertaux ’25
CERAMICS
Ceramics students explore a variety of techniques employed while working with clay, including: hand-building, wheel-throwing, glazing and decorative styles, and firing techniques. While developing technical proficiency, individual creative expression is encouraged. Students learn how to critique their own work and that of others. They also learn about ceramics from different historical periods and cultures.
Kuisheng Kevin Zhou ’27
Shaun Highley ’25
Ethan Rotter ‘26
Kuisheng Kevin Zhou ’27
Tim Howard ‘27
Blake Metcalf ‘28
Nick Kisielica ‘28
Lyla Cotter ‘25
Luis Ros Martinez Jr. ’25
What I like about ceramics is that it is an art where I can express what I want — like, I get a visual picture in my head about what I want, and then I just make it real. Ceramics is not only rewarding, but it brings me peace and helps reduce the stress I feel from schoolwork — my mind can rest while still being productive. Earlier this year, Mr. Fay had us make a small plate with textures. And I said, ‘well, let’s give it a try!’ — and I experimented with a fork and this mold… and used my fingers to give it a texture, and basically just played around with the tools and came up with something unique.
With bigger projects, I usually sketch my ideas on paper, but then, when I’m working, I tend to change a couple of things as I get a different picture in my head. Recently, because I like dragons, I’ve been making some dragon-themed work — I made a dragon teapot and a tea set that included a board with handles that look like horns and borders with dragon scales, and a pitcher shaped like a dragon, and then cups with scales…
I’ve found that I really like creating things, and ceramics is a great medium for me. It’s something I want to maintain in my life. Down the road, I could see myself owning a coffee shop or restaurant that has a ceramics studio attached where I could make my own plates, cups and everything by myself. It would be interesting to see the combination of two arts — cuisine and ceramics — and I am excited to turn this dream into reality.
Natty Nord ‘25
Gardner Corrigan ’26
Ashleigh Jay ’26
Brian Yandle ‘26
Blake Metcalf ‘28
Lyla Cotter ‘25
Lisa Hyun ‘26
DRAWING + PAINTING
Cushing’s 40’x 80’ Shevenell Drawing and Painting studio is filled with natural light and is the ideal space for students pursuing painting, drawing, architectural design, art history, and other artistic endeavors. The studio also serves as a space for art shows, demonstrations, and workshops.
Lily Winston ‘25
Renee Xue ‘28
Jinhao Han ’26
Jihye Lee ‘26
Daniela Mijares Lacayo ’28
Gracie Angeloni ’28
Renee Xue ’28
Renee Xue ’28
Evan Zhang ’26
Wenxuan Elaine Han ‘27
Gracie Angeloni ’28
Yundi Wendy Hu ‘25
Tommy Bleyl ’26
Renee Xue ‘28
Daniela Mijares Lacayo ’28
Jimmy Monahan ‘26
METALSMITHING
Students learn to make jewelry and small sculptures using traditional metal fabrication techniques in the Johnson Metalsmithing Studio. After learning the basic skills, students are encouraged to create their own designs and processes. In addition, resources and opportunities for learning gemstone cutting, gemstone faceting, and stone inlay techniques are available.
Jianjing Hou ’26
Coleman Coley Mark ‘27
Coleman Coley Mark ’27
Trevor Edmondson ’25
Kamryn Kam Zellers ‘26
Coleman Coley Mark ‘27
Theophilous Theo Edema ‘27
Coleman Coley Mark ‘27
Theophilous Theo Edema ‘27
Michael Pierce ‘25
Ryland Randle ‘25
Decker Jones ’28
Trevor Edmondson ’25
Last year was my first time ever doing metalsmithing. It was really fun getting a sense of the studio, understanding the different materials, and learning different techniques. This year, in advanced metalsmithing, I’ve been able to take those techniques and kind of see what I can do — using what I learned from my previous year to forge my own path.
When I’m starting a new piece, I’ll find stones I want to work with and go from there. Like, a stone might have a curve to play with — where I might grind it down to make it a little flatter, so it will set better — or I might take a rock that I find and cut it open and polish it… or a bunch of pieces of sea glass… So I’ll start with the stones, sometimes shape them a little, add bezel wire, solder it onto a piece of silver, and then cut it out. After that there’s a lot of filing and a lot of sanding and polishing, but then, yeah, you’ve got your piece.
I’ve been finding myself spending extra time in the metalsmithing studio — and it’s nice that we have the opportunity to do that here at Cushing. I really enjoy being attentive to the details, just overall, and trying to make my pieces as perfect as possible. While I see myself going into business or entrepreneurship, I also see art continuing to be part of my life. Like, some of my family has seen my work and they’re like “Oh, that’s cool. Can you make something for me?” So having tons of opportunity to do what you want has been really amazing, and just kind of being able to have my own time to come and make stuff — it’s really rewarding.
FUSED + STAINED GLASS
Students learn the processes of both fused and stained glass, including glass cutting, grinding, kiln fusing and slumping, copper foiling, and soldering. Project choices range from building stained glass suncatchers and hinged-covered boxes to fused glass pendants, ornaments, dishes, and bowls. As students’ skills develop, they are encouraged to explore a variety of techniques and create their own unique designs.
Yunhan Eissis Yu ’25
Lisa Hyun ‘26
Emma Chatelle ‘28
Andrew Kozhushko ‘26
Omar Abduljawad ‘25
Dung Zoom Chau Nguyen ’26
Before I came to Cushing, I didn’t even know glasswork was a thing—it’s not a common art form back in Vietnam. At first, I was honestly scared to try it because I was afraid I might cut myself, but Cushing has really pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and try new things. Freshman year, I gave instructional hockey a shot—something I never imagined doing. Last year, I danced in front of a huge audience! Glasswork is just another part of that journey, and it’s been such an amazing experience.
So far, I’ve created six glass pieces at Cushing, and each one represents a member of my family. One of my favorites shows two fish swimming in a pond, symbolizing the twins, my baby brother and sister who were just born. Another piece features bamboo trees for my dad, because he’s strong and brave. For my little sister, I made a flower, because she’s just really cute. I made a beautiful moth orchid for my mom, since it’s her favorite flower. And for my brother, I made him a frog… maybe just because I think he looks like a frog.
Ms. Cinclair (our teacher) is really helpful. In the beginning, she gave us instructions about how you cut, how you grind, and the properties of the different types of glass you have to know — the difference between fused and stained glass. The coolest part is how my ideas and the way I put the glass together are becoming more me. There’s something so satisfying about taking random pieces and shaping them into exactly what I want. Honestly, I’m still in shock at how good my work looks! I never really saw myself as an artist before, but now? I think I’m actually getting there!
Valerie Kwak ‘26
Hannah Murphy ’27
Valerie Kwak ‘26
Zach Iannone ‘27
Yunji Tiff Chang ‘26
Caroline Harrington ’28
Guo Anson Li ’28
Yundi Wendy Hu ‘25
Lucy Holliday ‘27
Wenqian Sophia Zhang ’26
Madi Soderquist ‘26
Charlotte Ciarletta ’26
Zach Bottrill ‘25
PHOTOGRAPHY
Cushing offers students a variety of ways to explore photography. With the opportunity to work in both digital and traditional black and white film, students learn the technical and aesthetic aspects of creating photographs with artistic merit. Cushing’s photography studios include a digital lab, studio lighting, and a 10-person darkroom. Canon digital and film cameras are provided.
Hiroki Nagatome ‘27
Emma Madden ’25
Enric Puig Marti ‘27
Alex Pope-Storm ‘27
William Rawlins ’25
In general, my work is very abstract. When people see my pictures, I want them to be, like, “Wow. I don’t know what this is, but I like it.” I want my photographs to almost evoke a story in my viewers. So they think, why is he taking that picture? Why is this framed the way it is? I prefer digital photography to traditional photography because I can get more in-themoment feedback. I’m an in-the-moment type of person! I want to see what I took so I can analyze it right away, and make any adjustments to the image so it’s as close to what I have in my head as possible.
My first time taking photography was the winter of my freshman year. I’ll be honest, my first photographs came out bad — they did not look good. Like, I was embarrassed to show people! But I really enjoyed the class, stuck with it, and have gotten so much better. I’ve taken so many courses — in both digital and traditional photography — learned so many techniques, and have had so much practice here at Cushing. I love it and now I’m planning to pursue photography as a career.
I think everyone should take art classes, because I think it helps you find yourself and what you really like to do. I think art has helped me express my emotions a lot — when you make art, it’s kind of like a gateway to how you feel or see the world. You can share a lot with someone through art —and when people see my artwork, it always makes me feel good.
Nathan Lansky ‘26
Zitong Zoe Ke ’28
Michelle Kraus Calderon ‘26
Bo-Hao Lu ‘28
Nguyen Nhu Ngoc Wendy Pham ’27
Emma Madden ’25
Molly Bardol ‘28
Emma Madden ‘25
Marcus Bonanni ‘27
Williams Feng ‘27
CUSHING ACADEMY
VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM
Cushing Academy is home to one of the most highly respected visual arts programs in secondary education. The Emily Fisher Landau Center for the Visual Arts offers the program the highest caliber, professional-level facilities for every medium offered, including:
Glass Studio
Maude Bowen Carter Gallery
Photo Lab + Darkroom
Pond Ceramics Studio
Shevenell Drawing + Painting Studio
Johnson Metalsmithing Studio
The heart of our philosophy is to honor and enrich each student’s creative spirit while they develop the technical and critical skills needed to express themselves artistically. We prioritize an understanding and appreciation for the artistic process, develop skilled use of materials and methods, and encourage experimentation.
Classes are offered for the beginning student to develop a firm foundational artistic skill base, gain confidence in accessing, processing, and expressing their creativity, and understand the artistic expression of others. Advanced classes are offered in a variety of media to cultivate the creativity of the inner artist, challenge their intellectual and technical abilities, and develop the artistic confidence necessary to express themselves in a thoughtful and meaningful way.
PURSUING AN ARTS CAREER
Many Cushing graduates matriculate to prestigious art schools and enjoy professional careers in the arts. Below is a list of colleges and universities attended by recent art department alumni:
Boston Architectural College
Boston University
Carnegie Mellon University
The New School/Parsons School of Design
Northeastern University
Massachusetts College of Art
Pratt Institute
Rhode Island School of Design
Ringling College of Art + Design
Savannah College of Art + Design
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
School of Visual Arts
Skidmore College
Stanford University
OFF-CAMPUS ART TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS
Cushing students are frequently exposed to the larger creative world through the lens of off-site photo shoots, en plein air painting and drawing, studio visits, museum trips, and engagement in our local artist community. Additionally, to embrace the applicability and importance of the arts, we connect current students with creative alumni through class and Zoom visits.
Syracuse University
Tufts University
Tulane University
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
University of California, San Diego
Wentworth Institute of Technology
