On October 1, 2025, the Artscape Reception was held to celebrate the creative art pieces from the 2024-2025 year. Set in Myers Gallery, the walls feature endless 3-D and 2-D art from the Preschool to the Upper School.
Luke Graves, the main art teacher, believes that Artscape is a great way to “find outlets outside their academic rigor to feel proud and excited and show a range in their ‘character portfolio.’” Artscape also “highlights differences in the way people express themselves” since they are not restricted to academic or athletic disciplines.
To be selected for Artscape, Mr. Graves bases his decision upon “being technically proficient” with “more fair styles and subjects being picked,” saying, “colored drawing, and shading but also like cool subjects and well put together pieces of artwork.”
Addie Savage, a current senior and selectee for Artscape, says, “All last year I got into a more impasto painting style, and I got into more realism,” ultimately inspiring her painting of her dog with abstract flowers. She says, “I think it’s one of my most proud pieces.”
While Artscape remains a yearly tradition, the Fine Arts department at Athens Academy continues to grow with the new AP Art course available to interested students. Graves is excited that the course did a “solid revamping of what’s required with significantly less amount of writing and a more engaging process of creative original artwork.” By the end of the course, the students will have completed, as Mr. Graves says, their own “breadth of work” which is their portfolio.
The students also teach themselves different “studies” which are art styles.
Addie is currently enrolled in the class: “I’m teaching myself different art styles like experimenting with watercolor and becoming more familiar with it.” As someone who plans to major in Architecture in college, Addie believes that her portfolio from AP Art will prepare “me for what’s to come.”
Artscape remains a way to showcase artwork among Athens Academy students and the diverse talents students here possess. Myers Gallery will welcome everyone with Artscape through the end of the semester so go support your fellow Spartans!
