In the Rye High School Art and Design Department, we believe that visual media is one of the oldest and most powerful means of communication we have. Our lessons are designed to help students master their expressive visual language. Just as we must learn to read and write, so must we learn to speak the language of art. Art making can help students to develop their intellectual, emotional, and social abilities.

We understand that visual expression is not just for the talented few. Art instruction in our school benefits all students, whether or not they may initially consider themselves "talented in art". We constantly make choices and interact with our environment based on visual issues and design principles. In all of our Middle School art classes, we offer a wide variety of experiences in media and techniques that are accessible and engaging for all students, regardless of their previous experience.

Student work in art classes offers students a project-based approach to learning. Students are given a visual problem and a set of media skills and concepts which they need to effectively incorporate into a plan for production and execution. This hands-on approach to learning gives students the satisfaction of a completed and presentable product for public consumption or exhibition.

We enjoy sharing our art experiences with our students and involving them in the process of designing their projects. We strongly believe that discussion and demonstration are the most effective instructional deliveries. Teaching and making art in the classroom with our students engenders both insight and creativity.