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ARCO



The spirits of Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, Andrew Wyeth, William Wegman and Jeanne Claud and Christo, among others, were present in the Hume Library this Monday for the annual ARCO exhibit competition.

ARCO is the final project of the Eighth Grade Humanities Class, in which each boy is challenged to create a piece of work in the style of a famous modern artist, but with his own interpretation and analysis so that the pieces are homages, not imitations.


The boys also write a biography of their selected artist and reflect on the process they used to create the work, including what they found most challenging.

They presented their artwork and rationale to judges during the day on Monday, and in the evening their families attended a reception, the Salon de diplomes, in which the boys commented on their work.


This is such a grand finale in an interdisciplinary course that has become one of the cornerstones of Saint David's program of studies.

The humanities class deepens our boys' history and art history knowledge and understanding, while honing their research and public speaking skills.



I am always so impressed by the boys' maturation in these areas, as reflected by their ARCO projects.

Often, as I listen to a boy speak so expertly of his artwork--the approach he took, the problems he encountered along the way, the lessons he learned--I no longer see him as an eighth grade student, but rather, as a soon-to-be graduate.

More photos from the ARCO exhibit can be viewed at: http://www.saintdavids.org/media/photo/detail/20160525-arco-projects

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