MICDS students enrolled in AP Art History and AP Studio Art recently traveled to one of the Midwest’s art meccas: Chicago. While there, they visited the Art Institute of Chicago, enjoyed a walking tour of Chicago architecture and public sculptures, stopped by Millennium Park and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House, checked out the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Field Museum, and was the first group to tour the newly renamed Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures. In addition, they viewed several art collections that included pieces from material studied in the AP Art History curriculum. It was an immersive art experience, and as a bonus, Upper School Art Teachers and Trip Chaperones Patrick Huber and Denise Douglas arranged an excursion to a Blue Man Group show.
AP Art History student Sam Ellenhorn ’24 appreciated the boost in knowledge and the opportunity to share it with others. “The AP Art History field trip was certainly a unique experience, as my classmates and I were able to witness the spectacular works which we have been studying over the course of this year. The trip proved to be an immersive opportunity for us to engage in material outside of the classroom. I particularly enjoyed our visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art, where we were able to observe artwork and interact with the pieces by presenting and taking pictures of them.
“Additionally, the picturesque city scenes as well as the amazing architecture found throughout the urban environment, culminated in a fantastical atmosphere for me and my classmates to experience together. In seeing the great sites of Chicago, I was able to make a meaningful connection to the content that is covered on the AP exam; for example, seeing works from artists like Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and Andy Warhol (among others) gave me more in-depth context for the background of their pieces. On top of all this, I enjoyed sharing this experience with my friends, who made the weekend a fun adventure. This field trip was definitely a memorable part of my high school tenure. Furthermore, I would highly recommend that rising Rams take the AP Art History course for its unique and engaging curriculum so that they are able to make a valuable, lasting connection to art,” he said.
AP Studio Art students Chloe Cheng ’23 and Alice Ma ’23 enjoyed bonding with fellow AP students and exploring Chicago. “I loved learning about the history of the art pieces and the vast knowledge Mr. Huber and his students have obtained. They also gave wonderful presentations, which were fun to listen to,” Cheng shared. Ma added, “There was an intense amount of walking on this trip, and I loved being in Chicago with my friends and having a steps competition. I’m glad I got to experience downtown Chicago and the paintings in the museum.”
AP Art History student Arianna Macia ’24 shared, “The best part of the Chicago trip was the chance for us to use all of the knowledge we’ve accumulated over the year and use it in a real-world context.”
For Douglas, this was her first trip with a group of students, and she valued the experience. She said, “I really enjoyed spending time with the students and watching their responses to seeing the art they are studying. I loved how their presentations on the artwork drew in other patrons of the Art Institute. I personally love being immersed in so much art, so this trip definitely checked off a lot of boxes. The kids did so well—they were helpful and respectful and made my job as a chaperone incredibly easy.”
Huber relishes the mission of shepherding students through a real-world exploration of art each year and delights in the opportunity to cultivate his photography skills. On this trip, he capitalized on a magenta balcony panel at the Art Institute to filter the sun for student portraits. He also appreciates the evidence of student growth through their presentations. He said, “The most memorable moments in this year’s trip were the student presentations at the Art Institute. It’s always fun when other patrons stop to hear the results of our students’ research and their interpretation of the works.”
With the AP Art History exam coming up in the next few weeks, students are happy to have this fun, educational, and inspiring trip supporting their knowledge of art.