Visual Arts

Preparation in the visual arts provides our young women with creative and critical problem-solving skills in addition to developing their own appreciation of art as a unique visual record of the diverse cultures of the world. The Visual Arts take a holistic orientation to education. Our curriculum is designed to challenge McAuley's young women to:

  • engage to the imagination.
  • foster flexible ways of thinking creatively and critically.
  • develop disciplined effort.
  • build self-confidence.
  • achieve technical skills for personal expression.
  • build portfolios for future study and career opportunities.
  • compete and exhibit their original artwork.

Our art students participate in many private and public-sponsored competitions. They also enter into many exhibitions throughout the South Chicago Metropolitan area, Illinois and Midwest region, including the Art ConnectED Senior Scholarship competition and exhibition, IAEA Northerner Regional Art Exhibition,  Midwest Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The Art Program sponsors the Annual Juried Art Exhibition/Artapalooza and a senior Franklin Framing Gallery in Blue Island. 

Student artists participate in Art from the Heart
Student artists participate in Art from the Heart

Mother McAuley students participated in Advocate Christ Medical Center's annual art contest to expand its permanent art collection. Students from Mother McAuley received various awards, and some of their artwork was even chosen for the hospital's permanent collection. Congratulations to our talented student artists!

Art students participate in Memory Project
Art students participate in Memory Project

For over 10 years, Mother McAuley Art Students have participated in the Memory Project, which invites high school students to create heartfelt portraits of children living in orphanages around the world.  AP Art & Design and Studio Honors students created this year's portraits that were recently delivered to children in India.

Macs with Merit
Macs with Merit

Macs with Merit is an award given to a student by a teacher or staff member on behalf of their honorable character, diligent work ethic, and notable contributions to the McAuley community.

National Art Honor Society holds Pumpkin Auction
National Art Honor Society holds Pumpkin Auction

This week, students from our National Art Honors Society hosted their annual pumpkin auction. Faculty, staff and students were able to bid on their favorite pumpkins, and the proceeds benefit The Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

Mother McAuley is one of the top 20 Illinois Art Education Associations scholarship schools.

In the Spring of 2020 our Advanced Placement Art & Design students received $1,700,000.00 in scholarship offers.
In the Spring of 2022 our Advanced Placement Art & Design students received $3,987,718.00 in scholarship offers.