The Summer Arts Workshops are designed for students, ages 14 to 17, with an ongoing, serious interest in the visual and performing arts. Located in rural Vermont, The Putney School offers a unique opportunity for high school students to explore and develop their creative skills and talents.

ANIMATION

Students in Animation focus on fine art principles, seeing animation as art in motion. From pre-production through script development and character design, students develop and complete an animation short. Techniques available for students to explore and use include traditional 2-D, stop-motion, and claymation animation. Compositing and editing work is done on Macintosh computers using iStopMotion, Photoshop, and iMovie.

You can view animations created in our previous workshops here

AUDIO ART

Students explore ways to create new works with sound sources, both ‘found’ in the environment and generated at the computer. Multi-media, installation, ‘electroacoustic,’ traditional computer music, collage, and collaborative works are encouraged, while participants develop basic skills in the manipulation of sound with user-friendly technology. Introductory studies in electronic and computer music and audio installation arts are incorporated in a class setting. A familiarity with either the Apple or Windows operating system is expected. Software applications include introductory work with Soundstudio, Audacity, Soundtrack Pro, Cool Edit Pro, and Soundforge. (Session II only)

CERAMICS

Using a variety of clays, students develop an understanding of ceramics as a dynamic and expressive art form. Appropriate for both beginners and experienced students, this workshop presents a comprehensive approach to ceramics, exploring wheel-throwing techniques, hand building basics, surface treatment and three different firing processes. Central to the work are class discussions, one-on-one instruction, collaborative explorations and self-directed projects. Books and periodicals ranging from art history to contemporary clay to technical information round out and expand each student’s vision of what ceramics is encourage thoughtful questioning of the direction their work will take.

CHAMBER MUSIC

“I was given challenging but highly enjoyable music and was able to make friends by playing chamber music.” – Chamber Music student

Pianists and string players with a desire to experience the joy of playing and understanding the chamber music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras join the Chamber Music workshop. Composers whose string quartets, piano trios, piano quintets and other works have been performed in recent years include: Bach, Bartok, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Ravel, Schubert, Schumann, and Telemann. All players of intermediate and above levels are welcome to apply; pianists should understand that space is limited. Placement in this workshop is contingent upon an audition tape/CD. (Session II only)

DANCE - MODERN

Students explore modern dance as a discipline, an ensemble activity, an opportunity for self-expression, and a performance skill. The workshop is tailored to the skill level of the participants and emphasizes the creative process. While modern dance technique is the foundation of the workshop, movement vocabulary includes such diverse elements as yoga, ballet, jazz, African, and other cultural dance forms. Students are encouraged to explore movement styles and to incorporate their discoveries in the development of final performance pieces. The workshop will balance instruction in technique and improvisation with experiences in choreography, partnering exercises, and rehearsal for performances on our theater’s sprung-floor stage. Students from diverse movement backgrounds (including sports) are welcome in this workshop.

Students may enroll in both the morning and afternoon Dance workshops.

DRAWING

A strong foundation in drawing supports work in all of the visual arts. Through observation and practice, students develop and strengthen their fundamental drawing skills, refining ideas, abilities, and personal modes of expression. Students develop an understanding of traditional and non-traditional approaches using charcoal, pencil, pastel, ink, wash, and other materials. Classes draw extensively from observation, including the figure, landscape, and still life. Group critiques, teacher feedback, and evaluation of student work are key components of this workshop. 

FARM

Working with the school's professional farm crew, students learn about organic gardening, dairy farming, and small animal care. Using our fields and gardens as their primary classrooms, students practice various agricultural and food production techniques as they develop a heightened awareness of the value and joy of working towards sustainable agriculture.  Offered Session I only.

FICTION WRITING

See Fiction Writing description on Writing Workshops page.

FILMMAKING

Filmmaking attracts students who have a serious interest in the art of film and who are willing to dedicate themselves to the process, start to finish, of creating a 16mm black and white film. Students learn techniques, from storyboarding through all the stages of shooting, developing, and editing, to create short, silent films. Instruction includes hands-on work in the production of these silent films, supported and inspired by regular exposure to essential film history and theory. Students work collaboratively to conceptualize, plan, shoot, process, and edit a variety of films, from short exercises to independent projects.

GLASS ARTS

“I liked best the fact that I could essentially make whatever I wanted to. I could let my creative ‘juices’ flow!” – Glass Arts student

Glass affords students the opportunity to create using color and light. Fused glass and traditional stained glass techniques are the two primary methods available to students in this workshop. Students choose to design and then fuse glass through a process called “slumping”, in a high-fire kiln, or to cut and frame glass, using lead-free soldering techniques. Using both methods, students create window panels, boxes, frames, bowls, platters, jewelry, and other functional and decorative pieces.

METALWORK & JEWELRY

Coming to us with a variety of experience and background in jewelry making and metalwork, students learn techniques of cutting, hammering, soldering, forming, and stone setting. Students develop these skills to create rings, pendants, chains, pins, and bracelets, as well as small-scale sculptural pieces. Students learn to work with copper, silver, and precious and semiprecious stones. This is a discipline through which students can explore their art with a heightened attention to technical and aesthetic detail.

MUSIC COMPOSITION

Issues in contemporary music, traditional repertoire, and performance practices are explored in a class setting, in addition to private lessons and group coachings. Young composers develop, rehearse, and have original compositions performed in open classes and public performances. Multi-media and collaborative works are also encouraged along with traditional concert music for acoustic instruments and ensembles. All music composed by workshop participants is recorded. Placement in this workshop is contingent upon sufficient skills as demonstrated by work samples, in the form of scores or recordings submitted with the application. Fluency in traditional music notation is required. (Session II only)

PAINTING

Intermediate painters, as well as painters in the early stages of their artistic development explore a wide variety of materials and techniques, including watercolor, acrylic, oil, and collage. Participants work primarily from observation, honing their ability to see, as they develop a better understanding of traditional approaches to these mediums. Students consider a variety of forms of contemporary and traditional art, but also develop their own ideas and personal modes of expression.

Interested in painting at Putney? Read more.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Students engage in the multi-step process of black and white photography, with an emphasis on understanding the many variables that are within the photographer’s domain. Students learn to optimize use of aperture, shutter speed, and other techniques of the traditional black and white photographic process to create the visual effects they desire. Individual expression is encouraged as students grow in knowledge and darkroom skills. Once essential skills are mastered, students are taught a variety of alternative methods including hand-coloring, toning, and negative manipulation. Students who enroll in this workshop must be familiar with and bring their own manually adjustable 35mm camera. Black and white film is supplied. Students with prior experience in the darkroom are encouraged to enroll in the morning workshop.

PLAYWRITING

See Playwriting description under Writing Workshops.

POETRY WRITING

See Poetry Writing description under Writing Workshops.

PRINTMAKING

In combining techniques related to drawing, painting, and photography, printmaking offers students the freedom to experiment and explore the impact of repeated images. Students learn to mix inks to create palettes which they then use in a number of processes. Recent student work has included monoprinting,relief printing (linoleum and wood cut), and intaglio (etching and drypoint). Students also develop images by printing with found objects and stencils, incorporating these images with other art mediums to create a series of prints.

SCULPTURE

Students in the sculpture workshop chisel, cut, hammer, sand, bend and pound a variety of materials including wood, clay, stone, plaster, wire and steel. Working three-dimensionally, students draw on their sense of design and balance to explore and complete a variety of assignments before undertaking independent projects using materials of their choice. Electric and gas welding is taught for those wishing to work in metal. Our studio offers opportunities for sculpture mediums rarely found in high-school settings.

SONGWRITING

Students with experience playing instruments and singing delve into the craft and artistry of Songwriting. Students focus on the core elements of folk and blues “roots” styles, in both traditional and contemporary form. From pop to hip-hop, from country to jazz, much of contemporary music is drawn from these styles. Students listen to and study great songs from these traditions as they create and then record their own compositions. Students perform their own or one another’s work for the entire community. Experience in songwriting is not required, but the ability to play a chordal instrument and fluency in traditional or tablature music notation is expected. (Session I only)

THEATER

“I liked the in-depth explorations of scenes and the work we did with miming and improv. Also the collaborations with the playwriting and film students were very fun.”  – Theater student

Using techniques of traditional and experimental theater, students in the morning workshop learn about character development through improvisation and scene work. Regular physical and vocal exercises serve to provide students with the foundation to create strong, believable characters, and scenes. Students perform during and at the conclusion of each session, often presenting work in collaboration with students in the Playwriting and Filmmaking workshops. Students with an interest in pursuing intensive studies in the Theater program are encouraged to enroll in the afternoon workshop to develop an original ensemble performance piece. Students may enroll in both the morning and the afternoon Theater workshops.

VIDEO ART

This workshop introduces students to the production of electronic moving images: video camera work and digital non-linear editing.  Through a series of video projects, we explore themes of fiction and documentary, performance, surveillance, and installation. Over the course of three weeks, each student has the opportunity to work on group and solo projects, to show work in progress, and to present work or have their installation on view for the final day of performances and presentations. Students new to this art form and those with experience are welcome to enroll.

VOCAL ENSEMBLE

Students who love to sing explore an array of singing styles by learning music from around the world. Under the guidance of their ensemble leader, participants develop skills and knowledge of musical styles, including pop, jazz, gospel, and folk. Instruction is well grounded in the fundamentals of singing, including breath support, posture, tone production, and diction.  Students sing a cappella, join small ensembles, and enjoy solo selections, with opportunities to perform during each session.

WEARABLE ARTS

WEAVING & FIBER ARTS

The Fiber Arts studio is equipped with a remarkable collection of four and eight harness floor looms, as well as spinning wheels and sewing machines. Students in this workshop learn to weave a variety of textiles from a large collection of cotton, chenille, tencel, and wool yarns. Students have the option to hand dye their own fibers, spin wool using fleeces from Putney’s own sheep, and sew original designs with their own hand-woven fabrics. Students integrate the design elements of weaving with the mechanical process to create heirloom pieces including scarves, fabric, blankets, and tapestries.

WRITING INTENSIVE

See Writing Intensive description under Writing Workshops.