Students select favorite film slides during photography class.

Fine Arts

Art is Hard; Art is Heart

Fine Arts ProgramOur Middle and High School Fine Arts Program
At Oak Knoll, there is great opportunity for the dedicated art student to pursue and display her talents and develop her aesthetic potential in our middle and high school fine arts program. Oak Knoll’s fine arts instructors endeavor to introduce students to the wonders of all art forms, foster their talents, and prepare them for the rigors of college art programs.

Art students further hone their talents by spending after-school hours at work in the newly renovated art and photography studios. The more experienced art or photography student not only develops her technique and individual style, but she also learns the language that enables her to express herself articulately when assessing a work of art and conveying her personal vision.

At Oak Knoll we embrace the five essential principles of fine and performing arts: creative passion, belief in self, a strong work ethic, a cooperative spirit, and a giving nature.

Fine Art Clubs/Activities

An Oak Knoll student practices calligraphy during Scribes club

Scribes is an art service club composed of a group of select, talented calligraphers who do lettering jobs (posters, banners, certificates, program covers) for the school and community at large. In addition, the Scribes are involved in various outreach programs (e.g., the Valerie Fund party and the Sacred Heart Summer Fun Camp) at which they offer workshops for the children.

Photo Club is an extracurricular activity opened to all students who get to explore both darkroom and digital photography. Using the traditional 35-mm camera, darkroom photography gives club members the opportunity to learn about exposure, creative focusing and framing techniques. They also learn to develop film and make prints from negatives. Digital photography enables the students to photograph with the Canon Rebel DSLR, upload their images, edit, enhance, and print them using Mac desktop computers, Adobe Photoshop and inkjet printers. Cameras are available for use during meetings.

Award-Winning Student Art & Photography

  • Julianna Feit ’20 won an Honorable Mention for her graphite drawing in the 2018 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
    Julianna Feit ’20 won an Honorable Mention for her graphite drawing in the 2018 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
  • Sarah Tomasi ’19 was a Gold Key winner for her paper collage in the 2019 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
    Sarah Tomasi ’19 was a Gold Key winner for her paper collage in the 2019 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
  • Sherry Gu ’18 won an Honorable Mention for her grey-scale collage in the 2018 Regional Scholastic Art Competition
    Sherry Gu ’18 won an Honorable Mention for her grey-scale collage in the 2018 Regional Scholastic Art Competition
  • Allison Palmeri ’17 was a Gold Key winner for her photo “Liberty” in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
    Allison Palmeri ’17 was a Gold Key winner for her photo “Liberty” in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
  • Emma Saheed ’18 earned an Honorable Mention for her photo “Disturbance” in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
    Emma Saheed ’18 earned an Honorable Mention for her photo “Disturbance” in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
  • Shannon Costello ’19’s photo titled “Pride,” won a Gold Key award in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
    Shannon Costello ’19’s photo titled “Pride,” won a Gold Key award in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
  • Stacy Fortes ’18, of Union, earned an Honorable Mention for her photo “Sunset in a Bottle” in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
    Stacy Fortes ’18, of Union, earned an Honorable Mention for her photo “Sunset in a Bottle” in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
  • Isabel Salas ’18’s “Uniqlo in Color.”
    Isabel Salas ’18’s “Uniqlo in Color.”
  • Christina Nguyen ’18 won a Silver Key in art for “All Creatures Great and Small” in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
    Christina Nguyen ’18 won a Silver Key in art for “All Creatures Great and Small” in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Competition.

Our Fine Arts Team

Will CardellWill Cardell 

Upper School Creative Arts Teacher
908-522-8156

Lisa RosenLisa Rosen

Upper School Photography Teacher
908-522-8172

Remote Learning Day
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Due to the weather forecast and winter storm warning, Oak Knoll School’s campus will be closed on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, and will operate on a virtual learning schedule.

Upper School runs from 8:10 to 12:30. Students should check their email from Mrs. McGroarty for more information.

Lower School students in PreK to grade 2 brought home materials from teachers for optional review and enrichment and may also log in to Clever to access all learning apps. Teachers of students in grades 3-6 will post snow day assignments on the Homework grid on Clever by noon.

All after-school activities have been canceled.