Visual Arts

Visual Arts Web Site
The Visual Art Magnet, located at duPont Manual the Magnet High School, was created in 1984 to provide a facility and program for artistically gifted students pursuing an art oriented career. During their four years at Manual, students will produce a portfolio of art work for acceptance to a university or a professional college of art. Many students graduate from Manual Visual Art and succeed in other non-related art careers that require creative problem solving, high order thinking and analytical skills taught in the Visual Art Magnet. See our informational brochure here.

Location:

The Visual Art Magnet is located at duPont Manual the Magnet High School with immediate access to programs at the University of Louisville, and the Speed Museum, U of L Photo Archives, the Conrad/Caldwell House, and local galleries.

Facility:

The Visual Art Magnet includes eleven professionally equipped Art Studios in the following areas: Art Resource Center, Drawing/Painting, Computer Graphics, Ceramics and Sculpture, Architectural Design, Textiles and Fiber, Norma E. Brown Art Gallery, Photography, Darkroom, Design, Printmaking, and the Kate Torp Photography and Art Gallery.

Art Classes:

Students may choose from 19 art classes. Most students complete grades eight through twelve art classes in addition to general academic requirements for graduation in their four years at Manual. All art classes have limited enrollment to provide maximum instruction for all art students.

Special Programs:

VA offers the College Board Advanced Placement Program in Art History, Design, Drawing, and 3D Portfolio. Also offered throughout the year: Visiting Professional Artist opportunities, Visiting Art College presentations, National Art Honor Society meetings, Art at the Beach Summer Program for students and for volunteers, special art career emphasis in all art classes, College and Career Day which includes individual art portfolio reviews with top colleges and art schools around the country, and service learning linked opportunities with the galleries at Manual.

Student Achievements:

The Visual Art Seniors are recruited by top professional colleges of art and universities with 93 percent majoring in art. Visual Art students earned scholarships in excess of $1 million last year. Manual High School leads the J.C.P.S. district in test scores and graduates earn over $12 million in scholarships. The Visual Art Magnet offers all of the Advanced Placement Art courses available so students may earn college credit while in high school.

Faculty:

The Visual Art Magnet has five full time art instructors who are also practicing artists that exhibit their work regionally and nationally, hold advanced art degrees, and are Nationally Board Certified in Art.

Student Selection:

Students will have a drawing session/portfolio review in addition to the required admissions materials. Students are admitted on the basis of talent, potential, and commitment to art and academics. Students are expected to excel in academic classes as well as art classes. See VA admission link for details.

Graduates:

Graduates of the Visual Art Center have been accepted to all Kentucky schools, as well as Cornell University, Washington University, Carnegie Mellon University, Pratt Institute of Art, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Kansas City Art Institute, Cleveland College of Art and Design, Memphis College of Art, Columbus College of Art and Design, School of Visual Arts, Parsons, Rhode Island School of Design, Boston University, and Cooper Union College of Art.
[Visual Arts Web Site]