The Arts and Community Engagement Seminar is open to individual students of all majors with priority given to seniors. You will experience a quarter-long exploration of harnessing the power of arts as an agent for change in our local community, specifically working with the SMOC school in Framingham. You will be placed in small groups of 4-5 students based on social causes that interests you and work with Drake Driscoll and select guests to develop and refine a project of your own choosing. Possible projects include an educational collaboration with a local youth center, children’s library, or children’s hospital; a performance series in a senior center, art gallery, or homeless shelter located in an underserved community; workshops and performances in refugee centers, libraries, and hospitals; benefit concerts for a charity of choice; or creating a social justice podcast. These are some among many possibilities. Through engagement with the local community, groups develop essential personal and entrepreneurial skills in order to create, market, present and document their work.

THIS COURSE IS ONLINE ONLY.

This Film History course will be a celebration of film & black history, using classic films as a catalyst to a discussion on Black & American history. We will be watching films like Selma, X & Dumbo to illustrate the Civil Rights Movement, racism & Jim Crow laws. You will learn about how films are written and produced, as well as discussing eye opening lessons in American History. The goal is to be entertained AND educated ourselves!

• You will learn film terms like theme, genre, cinematography, editing and more.
• You will learn to become active viewers, able to breakdown film like never before.
• You will grow to better understand racism, both overt and subliminal.

You will earn a newfound respect and love for the art of cinema!

THIS COURSE IS ONLINE ONLY.

Melissa and Niki are thrilled to be hosting our first social science class at Walnut Hill! So many of you have expressed interest in taking a Psychology class during the last survey we sent out in the fall. We have prepared an engaging curriculum for young artists who are living in extraordinary times. Through a variety of speakers we will address the psychological aspects of the following topics: Adolescence and development; performance and discipline; race and gender; death and grieving; technology and addiction; nutrition and poverty; and yes, sex and relationships!

THIS COURSE IS IN-PERSON, BUT WILL BE ONLINE DURING QUARANTINE PERIODS. 

Join Nikki Sell for this fast paced and fun jazz dance class! Increase your strength and flexibility, improve your sense of rhythm and coordination, and HAVE FUN learning different styles of jazz from classic to contemporary. Class consists of a set warm-up focused on technique, jazz lines, and style; progressions across the floor; and of course, choreography!  Previous dance experience IS required. Shake it loose and have some fun!

THIS COURSE IS IN-PERSON, BUT WILL BE ONLINE DURING QUARANTINE PERIODS. 

Animation is the process of creating moving pictures and using them to tell stories or create emotional responses.  In this class we will use simple digital animation tools to explore key animation principles and create short animated sequences.  All levels of drawing skills are welcome.  Students should have access to Photoshop (available for free to WH students) or Procreate (cost approx. $10).

THIS COURSE IS IN-PERSON, BUT WILL BE ONLINE DURING QUARANTINE PERIODS. 

In Intro to Apparel we will design and create wearable garments using a variety of techniques. Upcycling, embellishing and basic garment construction will all be explored. Projects will include a scarf made from t-shirt yarn, a tote bag, embellished jeans, fabric printing and a pair of shorts.

THIS COURSE IS IN-PERSON, BUT WILL BE ONLINE DURING QUARANTINE PERIODS. 

Mr. Z has long had a dream to beautify our campus. An example of his work can be seen in our outdoor labyrinth! The course offers students the opportunity to design and construct a vessel or system to grow plants both indoors and outdoors. Students will learn the basics of ideation, drafting, 3D modeling, hydroponic technologies, passive irrigation, gardening, and botany to produce individualized or group pieces. The designs will incorporate both an aesthetic value as well as functional characteristics to enable the pieces to have a permanent application.

THIS COURSE IS IN-PERSON, BUT WILL BE ONLINE DURING QUARANTINE PERIODS.