creative arts

Harbor City offers students a breadth of opportunities to explore the visual and music arts.

Visual Arts
Discerning, divergent thinkers are becoming more valuable in heavily visual, information-based social and professional environments, which means the same thing for classes that develop agile thought, a critical aesthetic, and creative problem solving skills. That is where HCIS art teachers some it, eager for the challenge of showing the value of artistic effort, and for developing students who trust themselves enough to confidently create, express, and observe.

HCIS artistic courses have included broad, deep opportunities like printmaking, drawing, sculpture, painting, beading, embroidery, weaving, digital and traditional photography, silk screening, nature journaling and 3-D design.

A project based studio class that grew out of student demand allows students to choose a theme then explore it by creating and exhibiting two major works per semester. It also requires them to know their themes and artistic strengths, develop the independence and confidence to research and create on their own, and engage in reciprocal critique with classmates.

All HCIS art classes require free thought. Artistic concepts aren't presented prescriptively, but as vehicles for idea and skill and philosophy development. Students go to local exhibits then discuss them with teachers and classmates, they get pushed when they need to step out of comfort zones, supported when they're in vulnerable intellectual and emotional spots, and all of it is focused on finding chances for growth within strengths and weaknesses.

Music
Multiple chamber ensembles (small groups of classical instruments) are the core of HCIS's diverse music curriculum. Small groups require students to develop self-direction, ownership, autonomy, and initiative—all qualities that will set them apart in college.

Most of the ensembles' rehearsals and music choices are self-directed, with a teacher sitting in to observe and provide feedback about once a week. Ensemble members decide how to practice and resolve conflicts; they also study music theory and composition, and write, arrange, and transcribe music.

Beyond that demanding basic curriculum, HCIS is an incubator of musical talent and opportunity. Symposium and elective courses like Groovin' in Ghana, Rock & Roll Boot Camp, and Jug Band Physics are frequently offered. Math teacher Tom Maloney organized an old-time Appalachian string band—dulcimers, banjos, mandolins, guitars, fiddles—that's playing at school and around town. The first Friday of every month Coffee House allows students to sing and play for their classmates and anyone else who wants to watch.

And if there's ever a Duluth High School Faculty Battle of the Bands, HCIS will be unstoppable; among its teachers and staff are members of multiple local rock bands, and many other talented musicians who sing and play guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, horns, and just about every other possible instrument.