All students in grades 6th-8th in the School of Design begin their studies as Art & Design majors. By 9th grade, students begin to focus in on the type of art they wish to explore their sophomore year, and take a rotation of fine art and 3D design courses.
The Fine Arts combine observational drawing and making to cultivate a cohesive artistry through 2D mediums. Students discover their own visual style and identity through drawing, painting, and illustration. In class, students explore a variety of making practices including: drawing, painting, collage, illustration, photography, printmaking, and sculpting.
This major is primarily analog and celebrates handmade artwork. Some projects use Procreate or Adobe Sketch. The goal is for each student to develop their own individual style and identity through courses in drawing, painting, and illustration. We study through observation and generate unique ideas through 2D mediums.
Career fields include: Fine Arts, Illustration, Muralist, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Textile Design.
Majors Teachers: Ms. Mia Buonaiuto (Middle School Fine Arts) and Ms. Julia Haines (High School Fine Arts)
Ms. Mia Buonaiuto
Middle School Fine Arts
Mia Buonaiuto joined String Theory Schools as the Fine Arts teacher at Performing Arts, Vine Campus in 2021. Ms. Buonaiuto was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico to sculptors and got to be raised surrounded by art. She received her BFA in painting from the University of Arkansas. For six years, Ms. Buonaiutoworked as the Operations Director and resident artist at the Mount Gretna School of Art, a summer painting residence for College aged students. She has exhibited her paintings around the country. Ms. Buonaiuto has lived in Philadelphia for seven years now where she enjoys making art, gardening and of course, being with her students.
Ms. Julia Haines
High School Fine Arts
Julia Haines joined String Theory Schools as the High School Fine Arts teacher in 2021. She received her BFA in Fiber & Material Studies with a Certificate in Education from Tyler School of Art (Temple University). Currently, she is obtaining her MFA in Fine Art from The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Ms. Haines is a visual artist and educator who has worked in several private and public educational institutions such as The Barnes Foundation, The Handworks Studio, and The School District of Philadelphia. In her art practice, Ms. Haines has created art installations and artwork for Anthropologie, The Rittenhouse Fine Arts Festival, and The National Liberty Museum.
3D Design is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals and technical principles of working three dimensionally. Students will experiment with a number of construction methods and materials used to create, represent respond to, and reflect on form in space.
We will discuss perspectives on 3D art and design created by artists. Using this information for inspiration we will create our own 3D works. Experimentation is always important to an artist. Keeping deadlines, craft, time and file management and context in mind. Be ambitious.
Career fields include: Animation, Game Design, Graphic Design, Interactive Design, 3D Rendering, Social Media Design, Textile Design, and Video Game Design.
Majors Teachers: Ms. Shelley (Middle School Digital Design), Mr. Fargali (3d Design), Mr. Davis (Game Design)
