Arts

Arts: More than just Appreciation - Enthusiasm

View slideshow of the reception for the 100 Years of Inspiring Design Exhibit and the celtic harp and voice performance by Nadia Birkenstock '92

View slideshow of Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols

Read about Westover's new Sonja Osborn Museum Studies Internship Program for students

Quite simply, we want our students to love art, music, theater and dance - to feel as if they can competently express themselves visually and before an audience, and to enjoy it so much they end up taking more courses than are required. We help our students take risks in the classroom, pushing them beyond their normal comfort zones, in a nurturing environment that builds self confidence.

And we lead by example: Our teachers are enthusiastic professionals. Many are working artists, musicians, and actors, bringing their individual talents into the classroom. Our studios are always open, giving access during study halls, evenings, and weekends: Students can always come in and work. It's their space.

What's more, our facilities are comparable to, if not better than, what you'd find in many colleges. Our gas and electric kilns for ceramics and our state-of-the-art photography equipment for developing and printing digital and print photography are prime examples. Our new Performing Arts Center has a state-of-the-art theater and 3 professional dance studios.

We also believe it's important to leave the comforts of home and see what can be learned from others. Each term, each elective course goes on a field trip, often to New York museums and shows. Every four years, the entire school participates in Arts Day and enjoys trips to the Norman Rockwell Museum, Chesterwood, Storm King Arts Center, and more. To expand students' art appreciation, every student takes an Art History or Humanities course for at least one trimester.

Every spring our students create and edit The Lantern - a national award-winning literary publication featuring the year's best Westover student artwork and poetry.

As you'll soon see, ours is a marvelously dynamic and active arts community, offering an extensive array of visual and performing arts.