Welcome to Visual Arts at Upper Campus

Our arts curriculum promotes visual literacy while providing an opportunity for students to discover their own unique style, artistic expression, and creativity. Our art spaces at Upper Campus allow students a venue for creative exploration. The curriculum emphasizes drawing and painting projects in addition to instruction on a vast art-related vocabulary. In every class, master works are presented in an effort to inspire students and contribute towards their knowledge of art history. These core skills help improve artistic capabilities and provide the necessary background for students to formulate and express opinions about their own work, their peers’ work, and the work of the masters.

Our student artists set high goals and standards for their work, explore their interests and cultivate their passions, and learn to take risks as they create
 

Course Catalog

Meet Our Faculty

Joy Blalock

Dept Head-Art, Art (HS)

Joy Blalock is an art history nerd, visual artist, and passionate arts educator.

Joy holds an MFA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Previously, she graduated from the University of Virginia with Distinction and earned a B.A. in Studio Art and Art History. As a member of the honor society Phi Beta Kappa, she is guided by her curiosity for life and a deep love of learning. Before becoming a K-12 teacher, Joy taught art as a college professor. She held positions at UNC-Chapel Hill, UNCG, and most recently, Elon University. As an artist, Joy has shown her artwork in museums and galleries both nationally and internationally.

Joy Blalock embarks with each of her students on their creative journey and meets them wherever they are on their path. She believes that every voice is unique, and she helps to encourage each young artist to find and develop their expression. She draws inspiration from contemporary design-thinking practices and grounds this in an exploration of classical techniques.

Joy is an avid plant mom and enjoys adopting new houseplants. On weekends she loves to hike, read novels, and is most famous for her pancakes. She lives with her science-teacher spouse and stepson in Oakland.


Sasha Vu

Art (JH, HS), AP 2D and Design & Drawing (HS)

Born and raised in San Francisco, Sasha Vu attended Ruth Asawa School of the Arts before earning her BFA in Arts Education from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn .

Passionate about education, arts, and teaching, Sasha co-founded StreetHeart Studios, an art collective that makes installation art out of up-recycled materials. With experience in multiple non-profit environments, Sasha has a deep love of facilitating projects that encourage creativity and reuse.

Sasha has been teaching in a variety of roles for the past seven years and her teaching philosophy weaves together connection, creation, and building real-life skills. Her commitment to her students and her community is evident in how she helps others find their creative voices and express their authentic selves. Sasha is looking forward to serving the Pinewood students and community.



 

Upper Campus

Visual Arts at Pinewood