studio art

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The visual arts play a significant role in the life of the school. Vibrant academic courses, unique cocurricular options, and substantive exhibitions captivate our students and inspire the community. Our course offerings provide an essential creative outlet and a means by which students can apply their artistic scholarship to real-world applications.

Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of beginning and advanced students, those looking for a single-term elective, or those who may pursue their interest in the arts beyond graduation.

Browse a full course catalog here.

The Academy’s visual art program is grounded in the formal principles of design while being a fertile hive of creative invention. Courses draw upon art history and reference contemporary work. Each project allows for personal expression and each unit of study culminates in an interactive group critique. Our more ambitious students submit portfolios to the College Board and include art supplements with their applications to college.

Members of the visual arts faculty are practicing artists who regularly show their work in professional galleries and annually mount exhibitions in the Academy’s von Auersperg Gallery. The gallery also showcases other local and international artists’ work throughout the school year. Visits to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, the Clark Museum, and the outstanding collections of the museums at Williams College, Smith College, UMass, and Amherst College, provide additional inspiration.

Faculty and Staff

  1. Angel Abreu

    Visual & Performing Arts Teacher
  2. Ellie Bicknell

    Language Teacher, Visual & Performing Arts Teacher – Studio
  3. David Payne

    Visual and Performing Arts Teacher – Fine Arts
  4. Mercedes Taylor

    VPA Teacher, Coord.of Ed.Prog. – von Auersberg Gallery
  5. Tim Trelease

    Visual & Performing Arts Teacher

Frequently Asked Questions

Before they enter Deerfield, all new students are required to take a math placement test to determine an appropriate class. Students who have already taken a language they wish to continue studying at Deerfield will take a placement test to determine what level class they should take. If the placement in either department is deemed inappropriate after the student arrives, then the teacher may suggest a change of level. Students may also request such a change if they feel they are misplaced, and should consult with their teacher and their academic advisor before contacting the Dean of Studies.

Students have a variety of opportunities to travel abroad through the Center for Service and Global Citizenship travel programs that run domestic and international trips during school breaks.

Study abroad and term-away opportunities are available to students through approved, partnered-programs. Study abroad is available in 10th through 12th grade, but typically students who choose to go abroad will do so during their junior year. Read more about off-campus study opportunities online here.

Yes. In order to garner Honors distinction a student must have a cumulative term average above 90.0%. High Honors requires an average of 93.0% or above. You can read more about Deerfield’s honor roll online here.

Because of its commitment to high-quality academics, Deerfield offers a wide range of rigorous courses. All of Deerfield’s classes are appropriately challenging, but courses designated as “honors,” “accelerated,” or “AP” provide an extra challenge for ambitious students.

All students are assigned a faculty advisor by late summer before they start school. After their first year, students may choose a new advisor, or continue with their original advisor, depending on the relationships they have developed with Deerfield’s faculty. Advisors are responsible for submitting course requests and writing an advisor report every term. They are available for questions a student may have and are involved in every major academic, co-or extra-curricular decision a student makes while at Deerfield. In addition, faculty eat lunch with their advisees every Thursday and may schedule other meetings for their advisees. Advisors are a key component of the Deerfield experience, as they provide guidance and support to students throughout their time at Deerfield.

Students are permitted to miss a maximum of eight (8) combined class days for Pursuits of Excellence, College Visits or other reasons each academic year (no more than 6 days missed per term). Exceptions to the eight-day limit must be approved through the Academic Affairs Office. Requests must be received at least three (3) days prior to the event. Any student requesting to miss class should make sure they are aware of the 20% Rule policy (found in the Student Handbook under the 20% Rule), and, if their request is approved, students should be sure to inform their teacher(s) of their upcoming absence(s) and arrange to make up missed work. Please click here to read more about our Request to Miss Classes Policy.

Alums and current students can request their Deerfield transcript online via our secure credentialing site, Parchment. More information on how to create a Parchment account and order your transcript can be found online here. If you have questions, please contact the Academic Affairs Office at 413-774-1470 or academics@deerfield.edu.

Contact Academics

academics@deerfield.edu
413-774-1470
Fax 413-772-1128

Boyden Library
Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm

7 Boyden Lane, PO Box 87
Deerfield, MA 01342