New art classes

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promotes variety in art curriculum

Paige Miller ’24

News Editor

From visual and performing arts to graphic design, ceramics and pottery, Staples is home to an extensive art department that caters to those who have a passion for expressing themselves. Printmaking is a new class that allows for a much more nuanced way of expression.

Implemented at the beginning of this year, the class is an introductory course for students who want to explore printmaking media. Prior to this, all that was taught was silkscreen and advanced silkscreen, which is now merely a unit within a much largercurriculum. Through out the semester-long course, students will produce fine art prints, cards, t-shirt designs and more while working with silkscreen and other printmaking media.

New to Staples this year, art teacher Stephanie Sileo was a primary factor in the expansion of this course. Earning her Bachelor and Masters of Fine Arts in printmaking, the art department has utilized her expertise to provide an easy transition between the two classes.

“In printmaking we do a lot of creative thinking, a lot of problem solving and a lot of process-based things,” Sileo said. “In a way it’s almost its own science lab that teaches better problem solving skills. Students will have a vision, and then we

figure out how to make that happen in this type of imagery.” Sileo went on to explain the art department’s decision behind the shift from silkscreen to printmaking and the benefit behind a broader curriculum. “[The art department] felt that just one class of just silkscreen or silk printing was limiting because you can only make a certain type of imagery,” Sileo said. “So, if a student doesn’t like screen printing maybe they’ll like a different unit in printmaking more.” Annika Reddy ’24, who took silkscreen last year prior to the course changes, says she had no idea any changes to the course were being made. “The classroom experience in silkscreen was very positive and I “ Students will have a vision, and then we figure out how to make that happen in this type of imagery.” learned a lot,” Reddy said, “but I would - Stephanie Sileo Art Teacher definitely be interested in seeing what changes were to expand the curriculum.” Sophie Spheeris ’23, who is currently enrolled in the only section of printmaking this semester, says she is thankful that the addition to the curriculum was made for this year. “Without the change, we wouldn’t be doing a lot of my favorite units,” Spheeris said. “Right now, we are printing using linoleum. I’ve never done a process like this before, and I believe most people in the class haven’t either. It’s a very cool medium because it allows people to express themselves through their unique designs.” Infographic by Lily Klau ’23 Photos by Rachel Olefson