The vision for ArtLab at Hamilton Elementary Fine and Performing Arts School is to provide visual art instruction that will nurture curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, cultural awareness, and self-expression while developing a lasting appreciation for visual art in every student.
ArtLab is a parent-volunteer-led program that brings together parents, staff, and community arts professionals. Our mission is to harness the creative talents of our community, offering students vibrant and engaging artistic experiences.
Program Curriculum
At Hamilton, students engage in a dynamic and comprehensive approach to visual arts, integrating a variety of artistic practices with literacy to deepen their understanding and expression.
PreK
Students will explore colors, shapes, and textures through hands-on activities like drawing, painting, and crafting. They'll develop creativity and self-expression while learning about famous artists and experimenting with different materials in fun, interactive ways.
Kinder- 5th Grade
Students will engage with a wide range of artistic practices, including drawing, painting, sculpture, fabric arts, mixed media, digital art, and art history. They will explore various styles, artists, and art movements, from the classics to contemporary, broadening their visual art understanding and learning the language of art. The development of this program and each lesson is ongoing, with careful integration of visual art into our K-8 literacy curriculum, where students connect art with literature. Our aim is to make complex concepts accessible to all students, reinforcing the themes and ideas they encounter in their readings through hands-on art exploration and discussion.
Middle School
For the first half of the year, middle school students select elective art classes from options like Choir, Band, Dance, Construction, and Visual Arts. Visual Arts focuses on developing skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, sewing, and digital art while building a portfolio. Construction teaches safe use of tools and building projects for the school. In the second half of the year, all students will have the opportunity to be involved in or support the annual musical through a variety of elective classes, including Costume Design, Set Design, and Media Design. Costume Design covers sewing and creating costumes aligned with the show’s theme. Set Design combines classroom learning with hands-on work building sets for the production. Media Design involves creating Playbill covers, signage, and promotional visuals using multimedia software and digital tools.
Showcases & Exhibition Submissions:
• A Tribute to American Artists
- Winter 2025
• CPS All City Visual Arts Exhibition Submission
- Spring 2026
• Global Arts Fair- Marketplace
- Spring/Summer 2026
• Chicago Art Scene
- Spring/Summer 2026
LATEST NEWS
CPS All City Visual Arts Exhibition
Last year, we were incredibly proud to have multiple student projects from 1st through 5th grade accepted into the CPS All City Visual Arts Exhibition, including the 1st Grade’s “Dreamscapes Mural,” 2nd Grade’s “Dreamscape Creatures,” and 12 pieces from the 4th Grade’s “Dream Collage.” The 5th Grade’s “Dream Portraits” not only made the in-person exhibition but was also a finalist for Art on THE MART! With additional artwork from 3rd to 5th graders featured virtually, our students’ hard work truly shone.
We are excited to celebrate these achievements and look forward to another creative year filled with inspiring projects and new opportunities to showcase our students’ talents!
Community Partners
Our ambitious goals can’t be achieved without the support of our community. That’s why we’re excited to collaborate with talented artists from the Cornelia Arts Building.
LAUREN
TEMIYAKARN
For Lauren, art has been a lifelong passion. She is inspired by the urban landscape of the city and intrigued by the juxtaposition of sophistication and grit. Lauren is thrilled to volunteer in the Hamilton Art Lab. She wants the students to know that there are many interpretations of art and no one style is more "correct" than another.
CARRIE
EiZIK
Carrie is an artist and art therapist. Primarily a painter, Carrie has enjoyed working with a wide variety of materials as an art therapist. She believes in art’s ability to foster creativity, exploration, and growth. She hopes to inspire students at Hamilton to enjoy their own journey of art making and self-expression.
Resources
STAY IN THE KNOW
The Art Scoop
Meet our ArtLab Team
A dedicated team ensuring art is thriving at Hamilton.
Angela Carpenter
ArtLab Lead Parent Volunteer
James Alexander
Art Support
Josh Van Praag
ArtLab Lead Parent Volunteer
Liz Hay
ArtLab Lead Parent Volunteer
