Art Is Flourishing In Foxborough Schools

For many students, public schools serve as the major provider of art education.

In recent years, Foxborough Public School's Art Department has flourished because of the constant support from faculty, parents, students and the school committee. This strong support team understands the importance of art education and is constantly pushing the need for improved tools and curriculum which are needed for student’s success.

At a recent school committee meeting Gerald Roy, High School Art Teacher for grades 9-12, presented an overview of the art department from 1984 through the present.

In 1984, Foxborough Public Schools employed 2.2 art teachers. As of today, the district employs 6.6 full time art teachers and a department head.

Professional artists work with over 300 students everyday using the latest tools, equipment and supplies.

Students at Foxborough High have a range from courses to chose from including a variety of entry-level college preparatory semester courses. Pottery I, Sculpture I, Computer Imaging, Introduction to Art, Painting and Drawing are among the many courses students can elect to take.

But what truly sets Foxborough's Art Department apart from other school systems is their ability to recognize the importance of a providing students with a strong art curriculum from an early age.

Both the elementary and middle school's art curriculum is "disciplined based and grade level specific."

The School Committee was pleased that Foxborough students have the chance to develop not only their skills at an early age but their "love of art" as well.

One statistic that Roy found impressive to share with the committee was that more than "95% of the FHS art students who chose art schools for college have graduated from those schools. The national dropout rate is 25% compared to Foxborough's 5%."

Hundreds of Foxborough students have won Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards.

Roy was also proud to share the story of former Foxborough High alumni, Anna Conway, who was recently profiled as one of the "100 future greats" by Modern Painters and Art Review.  

Conway, a graduate of Foxborough High, moved on to  graduate from Cooper Union (BFA 1997) and Columbia University (MFA 2002). Conway’s work has been included in group exhibitions internationally.

Juliette Weiss, a senior at Foxborough High School, summed up nicely the dedication of Foxborough's art department.

"None of my success or my portfolio would have been possible without the guidance and help of my art teachers," said Weiss.

Weiss plans on continuing her art education at the college level in the fall.