Visual Arts
Lighting the way to creativity.
Creativity comes to life in SUA’s Visual Arts program. Students can take a break from the textbooks and explore art through drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, sculpture, and digital design.
Courses are designed to help students build foundational skills while encouraging self-expression. Whether a student simply enjoys creating art or hopes to pursue visual arts in college, she will find opportunities to challenge herself, develop her talents, and grow as an artist at SUA.
From working in the ceramics studio to creating public art in the Toledo community, students gain hands-on experience while learning traditional techniques and modern practices. Along the way, they build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and discover their own artistic style in a supportive environment.
Students can try a variety of art courses, including traditional media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics, as well as digital and design-focused classes.
Celebration of the Arts
Students in Performing Arts and Visual Arts showcase their talents and creativity during two annual events: the Winter Celebration of the Arts and the Spring Celebration of the Arts.
These showcases celebrate the culmination of each semester’s hard work. Students in Visual Arts display sketches, paintings, ceramics pieces and more.
The Celebration of the Arts provides family, friends, faculty, staff and the school community with an opportunity to experience and celebrate the accomplishments of students in the Performing and Visual Arts programs.
Art Shows
Students also have the option to submit artwork into local and even regional juried art shows outside of SUA.
- FOCUS Show: One of the region’s longest running art exhibitions for high school students.
- Congressional Art Show: Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur ’64 and the Arts Commission partner for a competitive art exhibition in Ohio’s Ninth Congressional District.
- Passages Juried High School Art Show: An annual event at Owens Community College highlighting artwork by students in grades nine to 12.
Visual Arts Courses
Grade Level: 8
Credits: 0.5
Grade Level: 6, 7
Credits: 0.5
Grade Level: 6, 7
Credits: 0.5
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credits: 1.0
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credits: 1.0
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credits: 1.0
COURSE SPOTLIGHT:
Community Art & Production
Each year, the Community Art & Production class combines creativity and collaboration by designing, planning, and painting a large-scale mural at a different location in the community.
This class provides students with a unique opportunity to engage with the broader Toledo community through art and allows them to see the impact of their artistic contributions beyond the classroom.
To be selected, a partner organization must align with SUA’s mission, preferably be a nonprofit, be within 15 minutes of the school campus, and be open to an interactive partnership.
Once the location is chosen, students immerse themselves in the creative process. They visit the site, interview community members, and brainstorm ideas that reflect the organization’s identity and value. Once sketches are finalized, students begin to bring their vision to life.
Students have completed murals at the following Toledo locations:
Meet the Visual Arts Faculty
