In a vibrant, clay-dusted art studio in Bryant Arts Center, Upper School Arts Teacher Brooke Williams opens the kiln to check on the glass pieces that had been cooling all morning. The glass designs were the first of many creations to spend time overnight in the kiln. They were created by students in the Winter Term course, Creative Fusion: Hands-On Art Lab. Williams said, “This class gives students a small taste of the types of art they can explore independently or incorporate into their other art projects.”
As students drifted into the art studio, they checked the results of their still-warm glass pieces and lightly tapped their resin works to see if their molds were fully cured. Students chose resin molds that could serve as simple design objects or functional pieces, such as bookmarks or jewelry. Other students were picking up the prior day’s clay pieces to continue molding and shaping their 3D inspirations.
For Williams, 3D art is a way of working where she likes to let the students lead. It’s a peaceful yet busy and focused environment where students are challenged to think about structure and problem-solving while engaging in a tactile sensory experience. 3D media offer different avenues for expression than 2D, strengthening spatial reasoning and building skills such as sculpting, carving, and molding, all of which are crucial elements of the visual arts.
Kieran Mays ’29 chose this Winter Term class because she simply loves art. “This class gives me a bunch of studio time to explore tons of materials, try different methods, and create whatever I want,” she said. “Ms. Williams has helped all of us, giving us a chance to make our pieces more beautiful. It’s challenging to find inspiration to make things, but it’s good to use my mind and bring ideas to life. My favorite medium is ceramics; I love working with clay.”
For Cyrus Kummer ’28, a choir student who doesn’t have as much access to a visual arts studio like Kieran, said, “I’ve enjoyed being able to experience tons of types of art that I wouldn’t normally be able to experience. I like working with resin to create molds. Working with clay at the potter’s wheel was challenging. But right now I’m working on a glass suncatcher.”
While examining the students’ final screenprinting designs before putting ink to fabric, Williams said, “3D art is expressive. Students have dabbled in screen printing to design bold prints, fired up their imaginations with copper enameling, made jewelry and pottery, and more. Whether they love making wearable art, custom décor, or just want to try something new, this class is all about experimenting, creating, and discovering your unique artistic voice.”