ARTISTIC TALENT IN VIBRANT DISPLAY

Students at St. Joes are not required to enroll in our Fine Arts courses, and yet they flock to these elective classes with vigor, enthusiasm, and talent - lots of talent. In September 2021, Ms. Daniela Pellegrini joined the SJ community as our Art Teacher. Ms. Pellegrini has earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts and Masters of Art Education from Manhattanville College where she was inspired to teach students the fundamentals of each art medium while encouraging creativity, expression, and the exploration of new techniques.

Under Ms. Pellegrini’s instruction, students are uncovering new talents, artistic interests, and in some cases, life-long passions. Ms. Pellegrini makes art accessible to students at all levels of experience by utilizing familiar household objects and tools before graduating to more formal mediums. This year, students taking Sculpture used bars of soap to carve unique statues and etched pieces of artwork. During the Christmas season, classes held a competitive graham cracker build-off to inventively construct stable and symmetric architecture using only edible items, including the creation of their own icing!

In Studio Art, Cadets used their newfound skills to create unconventional self-portraits - portraying themselves in unique and unseen ways. Two- and three-dimensional pieces are proudly displayed on bulletin boards and in campus hallways. Artists explored elements of surreal and still-life paintings by composing their own versions using paint, pencil, and markers.

Ms. Pellegrini has also enhanced opportunities for students who have found their passion in the arts by developing partnerships with other clubs on campus to host Creative Collectives, a place where all students are welcome to attend and explore their artistic interests. Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, St. Joes will offer AP Art & Design for the first time! AP Art & Design promotes advanced mastery of various techniques and a wide array of artwork while also encouraging students to use analytical skills to critique art, evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth. We cannot wait to see what our talented Cadets create next!