VISUAL ARTS
The visual arts classes at St. Thomas cultivate the artist within the young men of St. Thomas.
We are proud that many of our students have won prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in the last few years. We are also thrilled that our visual arts students, with many different interests and talents, immerse themselves in the creative process that develops mind, body and spirit.
Chau Nguyen (B.F.A., University of Notre Dame, M.A., Rhode Island School of Design)
Ms. Nguyen is the Dean of Fine Arts and has been a visual arts instructor at St. Thomas since 2013. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor in Fine Arts and from Rhode Island School of Design with a Masters in Arts Teaching. Prior to joining the STHS community, she taught art at Klein High School for 5 years. Her illustrations have appeared in The Catholic Catalog: A Field Guide to the Daily Acts That Make Up a Catholic Life.
TESTIMONIALS
I enrolled in Digital Graphics because it was a class that taught a skill I wanted to learn. I have taken Printmaking and Fundamentals of Art. I took these took these classes because I wanted to improve my art skills and I enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
I enrolled in Printmaking because I wanted to take a class where I was able to move around while also learning to do something I have never done before. I enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the art classrooms where students are able to socialize with each other while getting work done. I also enjoy being able to create something with my own two hands. My favorite project is the one I am currently working on, a dragonfly carved into an 18 x 24 in piece of wood.
Art has always been something I enjoy and it is great to spend some time everyday drawing during school. I enjoy the big projects the most, especially when we are able to be as free as possible on what the subject or style is. I find it satisfying to work on something for a long time and be pleased with the end result. My favorite project was the candy still life because it was a detailed drawing in which we could experiment with color and perspective.
I enrolled in photography because it was more or less or a requirement, but also because I alway wondered about the criteria for a good photograph. Now I am so glad that I took it because I learned how impactful a photo can be. I also was enrolled in Art History, Ceramics I, and Drawing for the same reason and result: a true appreciation of the art forms I’ve studied. The best thing about the visual arts program is that, unlike other classes, they are genuinely enjoyable classes that are extremely fun to participate in. The makes time for an enjoyable break from a busy, stressful schedule.
I enrolled in Drawing II because I wanted to improve my graphite and colored pencil skills. I love having the opportunity to explore new mediums I have never worked with, such as chalk, charcoal, prismacolor and oil pastels. Ceramics is very enjoyable because students get to craft their own pottery which is a great feeling.
I enrolled in a visual art class because when I was a freshman all the upperclassmen told me that ceramics was a must take class. I also took Fundamentals of Art my freshman year because I had really wanted to take an art class. I enjoy the ability to express my creative thoughts through clay pieces in ceramics. I also enjoy being able to see other friends’ designs come together.
I had enrolled in Fundamentals of Art because I wanted to further develop my drawing and painting skills. The visual arts program allows students to go into a creative space of thinking and I would like to learn how to create a piece of artwork using water colors.
I enrolled in visual art classes because I enjoy being creative and working with my hands to create something visually pleasing. I have taken all Ceramics I, II, and III classes and Printmaking I and II. I enjoy the relaxed class setting and the break from purely academic classes in my schedule. The art classes give me an opportunity to decompress during the school day.