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New Bedford Public Schools

Art

Visual Art

 


New Bedford Public Schools proudly offers comprehensive visual arts instruction during the school day for students in grades PK–12. In the early grades, learning emphasizes creative exploration through drawing, painting, sculpture, and play-based projects, while secondary instruction builds toward more advanced studio practices, art analysis, and portfolio development. Across all grade levels, instruction is aligned with the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Frameworks for Visual Arts, engaging students in the core artistic processes of creating, presenting, responding, and connecting. Students develop essential artistic skills including composition, color theory, technique, conceptual development, visual problem-solving, and collaboration. Through both classroom instruction and out-of-school exhibitions and projects, students work as practicing artists, building creativity, discipline, confidence, and visual literacy.

  • placeholderNew Bedford Public Schools offers engaging visual arts instruction for elementary students in grades PK–5. Aligned with the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Frameworks for Visual Arts, instruction emphasizes exploration and creativity through drawing, painting, sculpture, and other hands-on projects. Students develop foundational skills in color, composition, technique, and creative problem-solving while engaging in the artistic processes of creating, presenting, responding, and connecting. Elementary art experiences foster self-expression, collaboration, and confidence while helping students build a lifelong appreciation for visual arts.

  • placeholderNew Bedford Public Schools offers dynamic visual arts instruction for middle school students in grades 6–8. Aligned with the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Frameworks for Visual Arts, middle school art emphasizes creativity, skill development, and critical thinking through drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media, and mixed-media projects. Students engage in the Studio Habits of Mind—observing, envisioning, expressing, reflecting, stretching and exploring, developing craft, engaging and persisting, and understanding art worlds—while participating in the artistic processes of creating, presenting, responding, and connecting. These experiences foster artistic growth, self-expression, collaboration, and confidence, helping students build a deeper understanding of art as both a personal and cultural practice.

  • New Bedford High School offers a wide variety of Art Courses

     

    placeholderIntro to Art – Intermediate Art – PreAP – AP Art 

    The New Bedford Public Schools high school visual arts program offers courses for students in grades 9–12, including Intro to Art, Intermediate Art, Pre-AP Art, and Studio Art. Students explore the Elements and Principles of Art, develop skills across a variety of media, and engage in creating, presenting, responding, and connecting. Beginning with foundational skills in introductory courses such as Intro to Art, History of Ancient Art and History of Modern Art. Students progress to refining craftsmanship, personal expression, and critical analysis in Intermediate Art and Pre-AP Art, while Studio Art provides advanced students the opportunity to pursue independent projects and deepen their technical and conceptual mastery. Across all courses, students cultivate creativity, collaboration, confidence, and the Studio Habits of Mind—observing, envisioning, expressing, reflecting, stretching and exploring, developing craft, engaging and persisting, and understanding art worlds—preparing them to grow as skilled, thoughtful, and expressive artists.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    placeholder3D Art

    The New Bedford Public Schools 3D Art program introduces students to the world of three-dimensional art and sculpture, guiding them from foundational to advanced techniques in introductory and advanced 3D art courses. Students apply the Elements of Art and Principles of Design to create both individual and collaborative projects, designing abstract, realistic, and imaginative sculptures using a wide range of materials, including cardboard, wire, string, paper, plastic, plaster, and digital tools. Along the way, students research artists, explore personal expression, refine technical skills, experiment with new materials, and develop cultural awareness, building creativity, collaboration, and confidence as they bring their ideas into three-dimensional form.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    placeholderDigital Art

    The New Bedford Public Schools Digital Arts program introduces students to the creative possibilities of combining technology with traditional art techniques. In the introductory course, students explore the Elements and Principles of Art through digital projects that incorporate drawing, painting, photography, and layout, while learning to use the computer as a powerful tool for artistic creation. Building on this foundation, advanced students refine their skills, creating original works that blend digital and traditional media, while deepening their understanding of digital media history and exploring potential careers in the field. Throughout the program, students develop creativity, technical proficiency, and critical thinking as they produce innovative and meaningful digital artwork.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    placeholderPhotography

    The New Bedford Public Schools Digital Photography program guides students from foundational to advanced photography techniques, combining technical skill with artistic expression. Students learn the fundamentals of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, explore lighting and composition, and apply the Elements and Principles of Art to digital photography. Using school-provided or personal DSLR cameras and in-class technology such as iMacs and laptops, students capture, edit, and refine images while learning digital editing software. Advanced students build on these skills, mastering techniques in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom—including layers, retouching, and advanced editing tools—while exploring personal expression, visual storytelling, and professional-level image creation. Throughout the program, students develop technical proficiency, creativity, and critical thinking as they transform ideas into compelling photographs.

  • placeholderVisual art students from across the district have the opportunity to participate in the New Bedford Public Schools’ Annual Visual Arts Show. Featuring over 3,000 pieces of student artwork from NBPS classrooms, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, skill, and dedication of all NBPS visual art students and teachers.

  • Elementary School Visual Art Staff

    Melisa Aviles – Gomes ES
    Kate Battles – Hayden-McFadden ES
    Jennifer Cosentino – Carney ES
    Stephanie Couto – Pulaski ES
    Erin Eisan – Parker ES
    Rachel Howell – Pacheco ES, Winslow ES, Taylor ES
    Cathryn Lonsdale – Congdon ES, DeValles ES
    Rocky Raxter – Brooks ES, Hathaway ES, Rodman ES
    Amanda Signorino – Lincoln ES
    Molly Zakarian – Ashley ES, Campbell ES, Swift ES

     

    Middle School Visual Arts Staff

    Keith Middle School

    Danielle Garcia
    Erin Meade
    Erin Moloney-Malabre

    Normandin Middle School
    Veronica Cabral
    Erin Collins
    Samuel Peck

    Roosevelt Middle School
    Matthew Carreiro
    Olivia Wallet

     

    High School Visual Arts Teachers

    New Bedford High School

    Chloe Bachstein
    Lynne LaBerge
    Yoxanderi Mateo
    Matthew Poyant
    Rosannette Rivera
    Kimberly Souza

    Whaling City Jr./Sr. High School

    Mark Carvalho