Ethel Walker School
Visual Arts
Inspiration to create and connect
At Walker’s, students have the opportunity to create, present, connect, and respond to art through a variety of experiences and hands-on activities to communicate ideas and convey emotions. Students explore a wide range of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, 3D design, textile arts, ceramics, digital photography, and film using a variety of media, tools, and techniques.
We help students develop the ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate works of art and they learn how to make cross-curricular connections and understand how the arts are integral to daily life. Students learn to think critically and problem solve through hands-on experiences as they develop their innate creativity. While the emphasis is on making art, students also learn to articulate ideas using the language and vocabulary of art by integrating the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design.
Students are provided with opportunities to display their artworks in and outside of the school in art exhibitions and competitions. Professional artists are invited to display their works in our on-campus galleries and teach master workshops to expand students’ visual knowledge. Students routinely visit local and regional art museums to expand their knowledge.
At a Glance
- Art History
- Drawing
- Painting
- Digital Photography
- Movie/Video Film Production
- Graphic Publication
- Printmaking
- Sculpture and 3D Design
- Studio Art
- Ceramics
Student Gallery
Meet the Visual Arts Faculty
Ben Barker
Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair, Visual Arts Faculty
Ben Barker earned a B.Sc. (Hons) in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia in England and is a graduate of the Connecticut Film Industry Training Program from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Ben spent over 20 years in the environmental industry conducting laboratory analysis, mobile laboratory site investigations and indoor air quality studies. He is a State of Connecticut Department of Health Services-certified Environmental Laboratory Director. After leaving the scientific arena, Ben pursued his life-long love of photography and film by working in locations management for film and television productions in New York City and Connecticut. He is also a seasoned and qualified soccer coach, having coached the game for 15 years. Over that period he has coached all youth ages from two to 18 years old.
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Marissa Forde P'28, '31
Visual Arts Faculty
Marissa, a Simsbury native, joined the Walker’s community in the winter of 2011 after beginning her teaching career in the local public school system. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art with a focus on Illustration from Jacksonville University, and her master’s degree in education from the University of Hartford. She holds certifications in both art education and elementary education. Marissa teaches middle school visual arts. She also teaches ceramics with students ranging from beginner through advanced level three. Marissa is passionate about engaging girls in art by encouraging her students to explore how artistic creations are born through the solving of problems.
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Katelyn Rodriguez
Art Faculty and Middle School Coordinator
Katelyn Rodriguez is an Afro-Latina artist based in Simsbury, Connecticut, passionate about using her voice as a social justice advocate and educator in the arts. Katelyn earned her bachelor’s degree in Illustration and Art History from the University of Hartford in 2020. She believes the power of self-exploration through different art mediums is one of the most vital storytelling methods, allowing people to create and leave a poetic mark on the world that she strives to assist young people with. While in her undergraduate years, she studied fine arts and curatorial work in both Miami at the annual Art Basel and New York at the New York Academy of Arts, strengthening her skills as an artist. In 2023, she obtained her master’s degree in Teacher Leadership from Central Connecticut State University, enhancing her knowledge in equity, justice, anti-racist teaching, innovative instructional approaches, and implementing restorative practices in the classroom. Katelyn is dedicated to Walker’s mission and is committed to enriching the student experience and cultivating a love of learning for youth.
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