Multidisciplinary Arts Field Trip

The Visual and Performing Arts Department embarked on its first-ever Upper School Philadelphia Arts Trip! Fifty-four students in various music, printmaking, collage, photography, ceramics, theater design, and dance courses joined Upper School Arts Department faculty, who led students through the city to participate in tours, hands-on activities, and observe professionals and professional environments. 

Music students and teachers Robert Frazier and Dwayne Morris were treated to a private performance by a student trio followed by Q&A about the creative process, techniques, and connections to the wider music community. Then they toured the University of Arts with Professor Micah Jones, the Instrumental Performance Program Director at the School of Music. 

A cohort of students and teachers Shannon Moriarty and DeVon Jackson focused on printmaking, collage, and photography. They met with Intisar Hamilton from The Dox Thrash Project who led a walking tour of Historic Sharwood. She spoke about legacy, the preservation of neighborhoods, and the rich history of Black Philadelphia. At the Cecil B. Moore Library, they explored different materials to create collages and prints as we processed our day together. Lynn Grant from Collage Philadelphia facilitated this workshop alongside Intisar. 

Ceramics students, along with teachers Stephanie Wilhelm and Omar Otero, visited The Clay Studio of Philadelphia, which is one of the best local clay studios, galleries, residencies, and community programs in the area. They took a class with artists and teachers Maya Wasileski and Hunter Fussell making handbuilt forms of their choice and learning and incorporating surface decoration techniques such as stamping, sgraffito, inlay, monoprinting, and underglaze painting. They also visited the Resident artist studios and met artists Ruth Easterbrook and Josephine Mette Larsen as they worked in their studios. 

Teachers Justin Baker and Jack McManus headed the group of students interested in theater design and technology.  Their group got to experience the professional world of production with a backstage tour at the University of the Arts, where they discussed real-world case studies on theatrical design and technology. They met with University of the Arts program Technical Director Joe Fasciano and toured several theater spaces throughout the campus. 

Students in our Elements Dance Ensemble ( as well as students interested in learning something new!) joined dance teacher Amy Grebe as they took a House and Street Jazz Masterclass at Urban Movement, which was led by teaching artist and dancer Alexis Curiel.

It was a wonderful day and our students enjoyed their behind-the-scenes look at professional life in these creative fields!

Enjoy the more photos from this exciting day here.