We participate in two competitions/shows every year in addition to the ceramics classes offered. The Scholastics Fine Art Competition is a competition including many schools in the area. Judges are chosen to pick the best of the work from the entries and a show featuring these works is put on at Randhurst Shopping center. We have had many girls whose ceramic works have represented Woodlands Academy at this show. We also participate in the Lake Forest Library Art Show. This show is comprised only of work from our school. Best of show is chosen from every category including, ceramics, painting, drawing, and photography. In addition to these shows, there is a lot of opportunity to showcase art work within the school. We have two nice, large showcases for three dimensional work as well as a lot of wall space set up for highlighting two dimensional work.
The Photography program at Woodlands Academy emphasizes photography as a fine art. Students are encouraged to cultivate their perception through their use of the camera and the development of ideas. The history of photography is taught in addition to studio work. The photography facilities include 12 enlargers enabling students to work in 35mm, medium and large format photography. Studio Lighting facilities are available as well. Course offerings range from the beginning level to advanced independent studies. Field trips are taken to view significant exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Museum of Contemporary Photography and The Art Institute of Chicago.
Annually students produce award-winning photographs, which are juried and exhibited in the ‘Illinois North Suburban Scholastics Fine Arts Competition’. Students have won both Silver and Gold Keys in this competition, as well as the ‘National Gold Key Award’, resulting in an exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. In addition students have exhibited and received prestigious awards at both the ‘Northern Illinois University High School Art Competition’ and ‘First Exposure Student Competition’ at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Through the study and practice of Art students develop a new way to explain and interpret their world. The transformative power of Art on an individual and societal level is explored as students develop their creativity and ideas. As students progress to the advanced level studio work is combined with the study of aesthetics and art history. Studio Art includes drawing, painting, sculpture and an introduction to computer graphics. Course offerings range from 'Introduction to Art' to 'Portfolio Art', which concentrates on the preparation of a professional art portfolio.
