Art
OLSH's art program is very robust. From ceramics to digital photography, students can find projects to suit their varied interests. Frequently, students have opportunities to interact with artists who visit the school and those they meet on field trips.
Studio Art
Studio Art allows students to explore and develop their artistic skills. From drawing and painting to graphic arts and sculpture, students learn and enhance their abilities, working in their upper years to develop a portfolio.
Ceramics
The ceramics program gives students hands-on opportunities to build with clay. Starting with hand building, students design and create functional and decorative pieces and learn about various types of finishing including under-glazing, glazing, resists, burnishing and acrylic painting. Students will learn wheel throwing techniques, advanced hand building and sculpture, and they will organize and participate in a pit firing. Advanced students will create projects which focus on sculptural and functional forms. They will learn slip casting, how to use molds, and Raku firing.
Digital Photography
The digital photography program introduces students to both the behind-the-camera and the photo finishing aspects of the art. Students learn the basics of digital camera operation and photo composition, as well as Adobe Photoshop Elements. As students progress, they apply their knowledge and segue into the study of graphic design.
- To read about the art courses offered through the Fine Arts Department, click here.
Empty Bowls Project
OLSH is a proud participant in the Empty Bowls project. Empty Bowls is an international initiative started in 1991 to fight hunger.
This year, nearly 30 OLSH artisans met every other week to create handcrafted bowls and plan the fundraiser. They invited guests from the school community to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The money raised is donated to Our Lady's Pantry, who in turn feeds the hungry in Coraopolis and the surrounding neighborhoods.
