Art history at the high school: literacy, community, and inspiration

In the midst of the high school’s repertoire of core classes requiring equations, books, and hours sitting in a classroom, many students rarely have time to pursue their creativity. Every department offers electives, like creative writing or ceramics, but many students find their schedules too full to select courses they take interest in — art history, for instance.

Thus, students have taken to extracurricular clubs and classes. Dylan Kim ’26 and Josie Song ’26 lead the Art History Club under the advisement of Ms. Shayla Vines, hoping to share their interests.

“We wanted to talk about artists we like, and also educate people on movements we like,” Kim said. “I think being well versed in art history is super important, just like understanding media.”

The two leaders research and create presentations highlighting an artist every week for their Friday club meetings. They also encourage members to create presentations showcasing their interests: any creatives — John Singer Sargent, Caravaggio, and Basquiat to name a few — can be represented, no matter how niche or modern. 

“It’s a way of spreading your own passions and your own interests, and also educating other people,” said Kim.

The non-curricular setting allows the freedom of choice, which helps expose members to a wide range of eras, styles, and techniques. Students gain a better understanding of artistic traditions while honing their eyes to identify techniques and styles.

“I'm interested in learning about the things that I'm inspired by,” said Aaron Swingle ’27, a member of the Art History Club. 

Additionally, Song and Kim invite members to attend a gathering at a local museum once every month. They decide the location with a poll, and often end the day with a group dinner.

“It's really cool for an artist like me,” Swingle said. “Seeing new art is something I love, and especially with an artist I don't know, it's really cool to learn about what influenced their work, what their story is, and why they made their art in such a way.” 

Many students exhibited interest in art history, like Art History Club’s ten active members, but the high school doesn’t offer the course in-school. However, students can enroll in Virtual High School (VHS) AP Art History, an asynchronous course guided by Vines, who also teaches the metals courses at the high school. It has a rigid curriculum different from the club, but the experience differs from a typical course at the high school. 

“VHS is open to kids all over the world. On Wednesday morning, I open up the next week of assignments in the next unit, which is typically moving on to another part of the world or another type of history or culture, and the students have until the following Tuesday night to complete all the assignments and readings,” said Vines. 

It’s an accessible way for students to explore different careers and subjects, being free of charge to the first 25 students to sign up through the high school.

Moreover, since VHS enrolls students from all over the world, kids gain the opportunity to interact with cultures unique from their hometowns. Weekly online discussions reveal a range of perspectives stemming from locations with divergent histories. 

Like art history itself, this course overcomes geographical and language barriers, but by connecting students through technology.

“There's more diversity in terms of cultural aspects, ways of thinking, patterns of topics that come up in the class,” Vines said. “It's important to see how art has evolved and how art has contributed to history, how it contributes to the telling of a story of what's happened throughout time. And I think it is a great way to do so because it's visual.”

The school can’t support an in-person class as Vines is the only teacher certified to teach metals and art history. Licenses and new teachers take money and time that the school hasn’t been willing to spend.

“If I was to teach both AP Art History for Wellesley High School and still do VHS AP Art History, one and the same for the most part, I would have to give up something else, which is going to hurt the metals program,” Vines said.

However, there is no shortage of opportunities for students to explore and share their passions for art history in a group community.

“Join art history club!” said Kim.