Students lean over their projects, as they draft geometric shapes. Studio I classes begin working with multiple mediums to master the basics – drafting, gesture drawings, shading, perspective etc., in preparation for creating finished artwork, and in many cases, for students to pursue the study of art in college and careers.
Launched in September of 2021, about 90 students are now involved with the visual arts – either in Studio Classes or in an active Arts Club. For the first time in the school’s history, there will be seniors that will graduate having taken a full year of Studio Art.
The new Fine Arts courses are already producing results – college scholarship awards for art are on the rise with more on the way. (The School of the Art Institute, Fairfield University, Butler University, Elmhurst College.)
“I’m very impressed with CRSM Leadership’s commitment to the Fine Arts Program,” says John Geis, founder of the program. “They know that the data is clear; involvement in the arts has a positive impact on a student’s performance in all their studies. The benefits aren’t just limited to kids that plan on majoring in Art.”
The goal of offering art classes is to allow more students the opportunity to create their own art, explore career opportunities in the arts, and give back to the community through their artistic talents. It also provides a positive outlet for students, especially following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic during the last two years.
“I’ve picked up a studio art class to learn the ins and outs of all the wonderful paintings and artists of the world,” says Anthony, a senior, who has been accepted at Fairfield University in Connecticut. “I wanted to better understand how art, and expressing yourself, can help people get through hard times. I hope one day I can use my artistic and musical talents to give back to this community.”
Student work will be featured at the April 1st opening of the upcoming Art Show titled: The Creative Refined Student Mind celebrating their imagination and skill in a variety of media. The show will be curated by students with the help of The Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, and will be on display through April 30th.
CRSM students are studying art under the tutelage of John Geis, who founded the art department at Loyola Academy. Geis received his Fine Arts Degree from The University of Dayton, with additional training in sculpture and bronze casting at the Dayton Art Institute. He studied with the renowned artist Harry Richard Black, a student of N.C. Wyeth and famed illustrator for The Saturday Evening Post. Geis has worked as a graphic artist and illustrator for several Chicago-based magazines, including advertising illustration for Marshall Fields in Chicago and founded the ZDI Creative Agency. He also worked on three dimensional architectural projects, the most well-known being the lobby of The Carbon and Carbide Building (South Water Street, Chicago). His list of credits in the visual and performing arts is a standout including: The Norris Gallery’s juried watercolor shows, publication in annual graphic artist publications and numerous musical composition placements for TV dramas.
In addition to the Fine Arts Department, John works in the Development Department, supports the Video Blog Club, and various musical events that take place at CRSM.
In the future, Geis hopes for the arts programs include significant growth; so, every student with an interest in music or theater or the visual arts will have an opportunity to participate.