The Art program at Kildonan is designed to develop interest and skill in the arts. Our main goal is to expose each student to as many different artistic mediums as their period of enrollment allows. Students who develop their skills quickly in our basic courses will have the opportunity to explore more advanced techniques. We also work closely with students who are considering the possibilities of going to an art school and choosing a career in art. The Simon Art Studios house appropriate facilities for ceramics, printmaking, photography, drawing, and painting. Separate facilities are used for woodworking, drama, and computer graphics classes.
All art courses are sequential in nature, and students are assigned projects that teach one or two specific techniques or elements. Many art courses take at least one field trip to a professional studio or museum each semester
Student art work is held in high regard at Kildonan. Displays of completed projects are hung in most of the buildings on campus while school is in session. In addition, our Founders’ Day celebration and an all-school assembly in May are devoted to the recognition and celebration of student art work. Visit www.artsonia.com to see Kildonan student artwork.
In October 2004, the Dutchess County Executive Arts Award was presented to Kildonan for its participation in the historic mural project celebrating Amenia’s 300th anniversary. Faculty member Tilly Strauss, with assistance from her friend Ann Linden and Kildonan art students, painted a series of murals, which could be used for many activities throughout the 300th year.
The subjects of the eight 3'x7' panels included The Immaculate Conception Church, the Borden's Milk Canning factory, the Indian Rock Schoolhouse, the Amenia Elementary School, the Movie Theater, The Jenkins Bakery, the Train Station, and the original Fire Station. The mural project became an enormously successful one for the historic celebration but, more significantly, a great learning experience for the art students at Kildonan. Postcards of the murals are available at the Kildonan bookstore.
