Visual Arts
Generations of artists have drawn inspiration from living and working in New Hampshire - and today’s Holderness student-artists are no exception.
Students receive skilled instruction in studio arts, ceramics, and photography, with student artwork regularly exhibited in the Edwards Art Gallery and other spaces on campus. Classes are held in the Carpenter Arts Center, which features:
- Digital photography lab.
- Ceramics studio with eight wheels and a gas kiln.
- Press for linoleum or wood block printing;
- Equipment for jewelry and stained glass production.
- Darkroom with 11 enlarger–equipped workstations.
- Studio for still–life and portrait photography.
- Matting and critiquing room.
- Student gallery space.
Visit our Curriculum Guide for a full list of academic requirements and course descriptions.
Featured Course
Art 109 | Photography I
You’ll pick up a digital camera and learn the basics of photography from Joseph Sywenkyj, an award-winning documentary photographer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, and countless other publications. You’ll learn the fundamentals, get valuable feedback on your work, and create meaningful photographs you can be proud of.
Learning in Action
Art in the Afternoon
Instead of joining a sports team, some students participate in Art in the Afternoon. Students can tackle a number of fun and interesting artistic projects, from set design to photography, music, painting, and more.
Student Exhibitions
Students regularly exhibit their work in the Edwards Art Gallery, which also hosts numerous exhibitions of working artists several times a year. Student artwork is also exhibited in spaces throughout campus.
Arts News
![Holderness Celebrates World Cyanotype Day]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1664036421/holdernessorg/omwtbsngww8ivvok8ovd/92422-cyanotype-4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1664036421/holdernessorg/omwtbsngww8ivvok8ovd/92422-cyanotype-4.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1664036421/holdernessorg/omwtbsngww8ivvok8ovd/92422-cyanotype-4.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1664036421/holdernessorg/omwtbsngww8ivvok8ovd/92422-cyanotype-4.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1664036421/holdernessorg/omwtbsngww8ivvok8ovd/92422-cyanotype-4.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1664036421/holdernessorg/omwtbsngww8ivvok8ovd/92422-cyanotype-4.jpg","width":2200}])
![New Turf Field in 2022]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1657652136/holdernessorg/dpc7unhef5lxkbpoq60d/7722TurfField-10.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1657652136/holdernessorg/dpc7unhef5lxkbpoq60d/7722TurfField-10.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1657652136/holdernessorg/dpc7unhef5lxkbpoq60d/7722TurfField-10.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1657652136/holdernessorg/dpc7unhef5lxkbpoq60d/7722TurfField-10.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1657652136/holdernessorg/dpc7unhef5lxkbpoq60d/7722TurfField-10.jpg","width":1582}])
![Students respond to Reframe produced by the non-profit Amplifier]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1651171490/holdernessorg/yqcg3zbycow6rshgkrmz/42722-Art-GalleryShow-10.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1651171490/holdernessorg/yqcg3zbycow6rshgkrmz/42722-Art-GalleryShow-10.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1651171490/holdernessorg/yqcg3zbycow6rshgkrmz/42722-Art-GalleryShow-10.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1651171490/holdernessorg/yqcg3zbycow6rshgkrmz/42722-Art-GalleryShow-10.jpg","width":1000}])
![Finn Boissioneault ‘24 piece, Book of Butterflies has won the sculpture category.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1643221952/holdernessorg/iikehigkrihtmoksehrg/OurAwardWinningArtists-7.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1643221952/holdernessorg/iikehigkrihtmoksehrg/OurAwardWinningArtists-7.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1643221952/holdernessorg/iikehigkrihtmoksehrg/OurAwardWinningArtists-7.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1643221952/holdernessorg/iikehigkrihtmoksehrg/OurAwardWinningArtists-7.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1643221952/holdernessorg/iikehigkrihtmoksehrg/OurAwardWinningArtists-7.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1643221952/holdernessorg/iikehigkrihtmoksehrg/OurAwardWinningArtists-7.jpg","width":2200}])
Calling All Artists!
Do you like to sing, act, play music, or make art? Then use this form to contact the Holderness School Arts Department to introduce yourself. We love to meet student-artists and share what our program can do for you.
Meet Our Visual Arts Faculty
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Take the Next Step
Is Holderness right for you? The best way to find the right boarding school is to reach out. Check us out in person in New Hampshire or virtually. See why Holderness is more than a school, it's an elevated experience.