Student Life

The Arts

The fine arts have a vital place in the development of a Linsly student. Faculty and students display a positive feeling regarding their school and the various arts disciplines. Every year, the school hosts its Extravaganza, which is an entire school production featuring the participation of every student and faculty member. Throughout the year, upper school and middle school students display their acting talents in several theatrical productions.

Because we believe art of all kinds is essential to our school, students can take part in the arts through a class, a special school project or an extracurricular activity, ensuring everyone the opportunity to also participate in athletics, after school programs, volunteering, and clubs. This approach means Linsly students do not have to choose between a part in a play, a seat in the orchestra or a position on a sports team.

The Linsly School offers students the opportunity to participate in a variety of fine arts performance groups. The String Orchestra is comprised of talented students from both the middle and upper schools. This group, along with the Stage Band and middle school instrumental instruction, give Linsly students the opportunity to display their instrumental talents in a variety of ways. The Linsly Chorus provides vocalists an outlet for their abilities, and our middle school students perform vocally throughout the year.  Theater arts courses allow students to express themselves, in a classroom setting, as performers or as "behind-the-scenes" assistants. Dance and speech instruction in the middle school build confidence and prepare the students as they become well-rounded members of the Linsly community.

Mr. Gellner Explains Success in Art

(Mr. Guy Gellner teaches upper school art classes)
"Students often get discouraged when their pencil marks and brush strokes are not 'perfect.' Sometimes a fear of failure keeps them from trying at all. This should not be. When an artist embraces the 'process' the 'product' takes care of itself.
When very young children color with crayons they scribble with sweet abandon. Picasso said, 'Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.' When students understand that - Fear Blocks Creativity - they become free to establish foundational lines and colors they can change as their work progresses. This means that they constantly step back from their work and decide what corrections are necessary based on the mistakes made and then try to correct them. Before long they realize – Hey, I’m getting somewhere!
At The Williams Visual Arts Center mistakes are welcome."