Visual Arts

Students have formal art instruction starting in the three-year-old preschool and visit the lower school art studio once a week through the 5th grade, and 6th graders take art and theater for a quarter each. 

High school students have a choice from 17 courses in visual arts, including four Advanced Placement courses.

Our campus has three art studios for instruction, complete with a kiln room for ceramics. Hundreds of pieces of student work are on display in nearly every building on campus in special display cases and on the walls, and the annual Art Showcase features the work of every art student.

Students enter their work and receive recognition at the Congressional Art Competition, the S.C. Independent School Association State Art Show, the Converse Women in Art Show, the Sumter County Fair Art Show, and ArtFields Jr.  

Five Blue Ribbons at State Art Show

Wilson Hall art students showcased their exceptional talent at the S.C. Independent School Association State Art Show, earning an impressive total of 15 awards. Among the top honors, Cecilia Ayres ‘30 (sculpture), Annabelle Branham ‘25 (ceramics), Tilan Byrd ‘25 (drawing), Lydia Leishing ‘26 (sculpture), and Abby Norton ‘31 (sculpture) each received blue ribbons in their respective categories, highlighting their artistic excellence. The success of these students is a testament to their dedication and creativity, as well as the guidance and expertise of their teachers, Ms. Tara Breslin-Schumacher, Mrs. Rachel Jones Brown '00, and Mrs. Renee Norton. Under their direction, the Visual Arts Department continues to thrive, fostering a community where students' artistic abilities can shine.

Receiving ribbons for placing second in their respective categories were Parker McLeod ‘25 (ceramics) and Jack Thompson ‘27 (open mixed media 2D). The following students received an Honorable Mention: Sarah-Jane Bates ‘25 (ceramics), Nathan Brunk ‘31 (mixed media), Lexi Fox ‘27 (sculpture), Sophia Levi ‘28 (drawing), Logan Schumacher ‘25 (drawing), Gracie Shook ‘35 (painting), Carmen Thomas ‘34 (sculpture), and Ari Widrick ‘27 (drawing).  

Coker Wins Gold Key Art Recognition

Anna Kate Coker earned the prestigious Gold Key award, the highest honor in the regional competition of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, for her outstanding drawing. Sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, the nation's longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens, this award recognizes works that demonstrate originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. As a Gold Key recipient, Anna Kate's artwork will be featured in an exhibition at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and she will advance to the national competition. A dedicated student in the Advanced Placement Studio Art (Drawing) class taught by Ms. Tara Breslin-Schumacher, she exemplifies the talent and creativity fostered within Wilson Hall’s Visual Arts Department. Additionally, in the same competition, Liz Singkhonket received Honorable Mentions for two of her works, and Tilan Byrd also earned an Honorable Mention, further showcasing the exceptional artistic ability of Wilson Hall students.

Drawing III Class

Students in Drawing III class harness their creativity to bring their visions to life in one of the three art studios on our campus. Because art fosters imagination and provides a well-rounded education that nurtures critical thinking and expression, Wilson Hall offers 17 visual art classes to high school students, including four Advanced Placement classes. 

Schumacher Wins Best of Show

Logan Schumacher ‘25 won Best of Show in the Sumter County Fair Art Show for his drawing entitled “99.” He is a student in the Advanced Placement Drawing class taught by Ms. Tara Breslin-Schumacher. Wilson Hall students were very successful in the art show, winning 25 ribbons, including 10 blue ribbons. In addition to Ms. Breslin-Schumacher, the art teachers are Mrs. Rachel Brown and Mrs. Renee Norton.

Winning blue ribbons for placing first in their respective divisions were the following:
Nathan Brunk ‘31 - open medea 2D
Jose Diaz ‘27 - drawing
Jane Foley ‘30 - painting
Hugh Humphries ‘25 - open media
Parker McLeod ‘25 - pottery
Wyatt Moore ‘31 - painting
Anna Singkhonket ‘32 - open media 3D
Mary Ellen Thorne ‘26 - painting
Claire Tindal ‘32 - open media 3D

The following students received second place ribbons:
Morgan Brunson ‘32 - drawing
Lottie Bynum ‘25 - drawing
Winnie Caughman ‘31 - painting
Elisa Getz ‘30 - open media 2D
Caroline Moorman ‘27 - pottery 
Harley Nattrass ‘30 - painting
Livie Pedersen ‘27 - sculpture

Earning third place ribbons were the following students:
Cat Bowman ‘30 - open media 2D
Nathan Brunk ‘31 - open media 3D
Jane Foley ‘30 - open media 2D
Lexi Fox ‘27 - sculpture
Liza Gooch ‘31 - open media 3D
Caitlyn Jenkins ‘30 - open media 2D
Wyatt Moore ‘31 - open media 3D 
Ari Widrick ‘28 - drawing
 

Set Design & Construction

Students in the Set Design & Construction class begin building the set for the fall play, Just as I Suspected, in the multipurpose room and the set on the Nash Center Stage for the spring musical, Mary Poppins Jr. 

3D Art Classes

Slab method, bi-lateral symmetry, pumpkins, ghosts, and lots of bowls are among the many art projects being made in the 3D Art Studio by students in AP Ceramics, Ceramics I-III, and Sculpture I & II.

7th Grade Art Project

Using Prismacolor pencils and colored markers, students in a 7th Grade Art class work on drawings in the 2D Art Studio.

Schumacher’s Art to Hang in U.S. Capitol

Logan Schumacher ‘25 won the Congressional Art Competition and his artwork, a colored pencil and micron pen drawing titled “Far from Perfect,” will hang in the United States Capitol to represent the 5th Congressional District of South Carolina. Liz Singkhonket '26 won second place for her colored pencil drawing titled “Still Life.” Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives. This competition, open to high school students, is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation. 

The overall winner of each district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Logan will attend the winner’s celebration and reception in Washington, D.C., in June. He is a student in the Drawing III class taught by Ms. Tara Breslin-Schumacher. He is the third Wilson Hall student in the past four years to win this competition. 
 

Eleven Students Accepted for ArtFields Jr.

The artwork of 11 students has been accepted for ArtFields Jr. 2024, an art competition open to students throughout South Carolina. The selection process was extremely competitive with more than 800 submissions from across the state. ArtFields, held in Lake City the week of April 26-May4, is one of the south’s premier art competitions and festivals. The goal of the show is to honor the artists of the Southeast with a week’s worth of celebration and competition in the heart of a traditional small southern town. Over $145,000 in prizes will be awarded based on the input of every visitor to ArtFields and a panel of judges made up of acclaimed artists and educators.

The following students of Ms. Tara Breslin-Schumacher had their work accepted: Lottie Bynum ‘25 (Drawing III), Jose Diaz ‘27 (Drawing I), Emmi Leard ‘24 (AP Studio Art-Drawing), Rhayne Owens ‘24 (AP Studio Art-Drawing), Logan Schumacher ‘25 (Drawing III), Liz Singkhonket ‘26 (Drawing II), and Mary Ellen Thorne ‘26 (Drawing III). Caroline McElveen ‘24, a student in the AP 3-D Art-Ceramics class taught by Mrs. Rachel Jones Brown ‘00 had her work accepted, as did Addison Thornton ‘24 and Camryn Wilmes ‘25, students in the Graphic Design I class taught by Dr. Terri Smith.

Downtown Art Display

The Art Department installed a window display as part of the Inspire! Festival. Located on Main Street next to the brewery, the installation will be on display until March 30th. The window represents Wilson Hall and students in PS-12th. Led by Mrs. Rachel Brown, Mrs. Renee Norton & Ms. Tara Breslin-Schumacher, the display includes work by all art students.

Gallery of Art Exhibit

Emmi Leard placed second and Aubrey Payne received an honorable mention in the inaugural Pathfinders Exhibit at the Sumter Gallery of Art. They, along with eight other senior art students, will have their artwork in the gallery until April 5. The exhibit, which showcases Sumter County high schools’ senior artists, is in conjunction with the Sumter Artists Guild Winners Show as well as the annual Inspire! Festival. Students of Mrs. Rachel Brown and Ms. Tara Breslin-Schumacher, the following also have their art exhibited: Mary Claire Bearak, Ann Weathers Blankenship, Elizabeth Busch, Almira Casarez, Leslie Diaz, Mackenzie Helms, Caroline McElveen and Rhayne Owens. 

Bynum & Schumacher Win Regional Art Show

Lottie Bynum ‘25 and Logan Schumacher ‘25 are the regional winners for their drawings that were selected for the Traveling Artfields Jr. Art Exhibit at the Cheraw Arts Commission Burr Art Gallery in Cheraw. They were presented certificates and a $75 gift card to Blick Art Supplies at the exhibit’s closing reception. The January exhibit for the Pee Dee Region featured the 2023 Artfields Jr. winners art and also regional art. Both are students in the Drawing III class taught by Ms. Tara Breslin-Schumacher. 

ArtFields Jr., an art competition open to students throughout South Carolina, is held in Lake City and is one of the south’s premier art competitions and festivals. The goal of the show is to honor the artists of the Southeast with a week’s worth of celebration and competition in the heart of a traditional small southern town. This year's show will be April 26 - May 4.