Fine Arts
Visual Arts
Our visual arts program includes the study and practice of artistic technique, the development of critical-thinking abilities, and the study of art history from the Stone Age to modern times. In our spacious, well-equipped art studio, you’ll be encouraged to find your own path to the understanding and creation of art. We have potter’s wheels, electric kiln, floor looms, easels, and equipment for work in stained glass and sculpture, as well as a fully-equipped graphic design classroom and a darkroom facility.
Music
Music is an important part of Chatham Hall where the study of music performance combines with music academics. You can take private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, flute, violin, and cello and will have many opportunities to perform – from Chapel services to assemblies and from master classes to music department concerts. We also have two choral ensembles that perform regularly both on and off campus: The St. Mary’s Choir is open to all students without audition, while participation in the Chatham Hall Chamber Choir is by selective audition. You’ll also enjoy field trips to classical music performances, on-campus concerts by guest artists, and music history and theory courses.
CHATHAM HALL CHAMBER CHOIR (2008-2009) - ALMA MATER
Publications/Writing
Aspiring writers and publication specialists have many options at Chatham Hall. A creative writing elective lets you explore techniques for writing short fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. You’ll develop your own talents as you read various examples of writing, study craft and technique, and present your work to the group.
Our journalism class, which completely produces our school newspaper, teaches the skills of newspaper design and production, as well as writing skills in news, features, sports and opinion articles. You just might move up to section editor or editor-in-chief!
If the yearbook is of interest to you, you can take our class in yearbook design and production. Students on the team produce our 144-page yearbook, learning page design, photography and production management in the process.
Drama
“All the world’s a stage” according to Shakespeare, and at Chatham Hall, the stage is the Black Box Theater in the Fine Arts Building. Budding actresses can study comedy, tragedy and the technical aspects of theater production, as well as perform in three theatrical productions each year. You’ll be encouraged to take risks and experiment with new roles and challenges.
Dance
Dance at Chatham Hall offers a quality blend of technical training and artistic exploration. Dancers increase their strength, flexibility and stamina through Cecchetti and RAD Ballet Techniques as well as a blend of Modern techniques including Graham, Horton, Weidman, and Contemporary/Release. Two classes meet daily allowing both the beginner and experienced dancer a place to be challenged. Weekly concepts inspired by Rudolf Laban's notation of dance are explored through movement studies and improvisation, challenging dancers to transcend the technical physicality of dance in exploration and creation of personal artistic expressions. This year's guest artists bring to Chatham Hall Contact Improvisation and Martha Graham Technique master classes as well as African, Hip-Hop and others.
