Visual Arts

Students in the CoSA Visual Arts Conservatory develop a variety of artistic skills via workshops and individualized curriculum across the areas of technique, materials, creativity, conceptual and emotional development, craftsmanship, artistic intent and visual literacy, and creative problem solving and empowerment. At CoSA Visual Arts students are supported in their understanding and application of the fundamentals of art in the context of the Visual Arts Career Pathway coursework. CoSA aims to help nurture students to utilize and develop beyond those foundations by establishing a vision for themselves as a working artist. Figure Drawing is a strong academic component of the program that provides student artists the rare opportunity to draw from a live model which has not only increased student skill sets, but has enhanced college application portfolios.

Community building as well as developing skills in daily work ethic, entering the flow state and co-op studio responsibilities provides students with a vibrant home base and the artist training needed to evolve as a successful working fine artist. Approaches to fine arts as a business as well as individualized guidance on portfolio development, creating exhibits, collaborative projects, and public art opportunities further enhance student understanding of the inner workings of a profession in the visual and fine arts. Not all students enter into CoSA Visual Arts as a career path, in fact many enroll in the program for the simple love of creating and the desire to craft their own creative practices with which they can succeed in CoSA and apply or integrate them to other fields of interest. Ultimately, after being provided the experience of exposure to skill set development, CoSA Visual Arts conservatory provides individualized coaching, instruction and support based on the unique developmental needs of each individual artist.

In response to the prevalence of AI reshaping global industries and the expressed interest of student artists, we are excited to enrich the curriculum of CoSA Visual Arts this year by providing an overview and discussion of Art History from the perspective of emotional intelligence developed by humanity over time.