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. 

A smiling young woman in a pink shirt points to a painting of a person holding a jar, with various other artworks displayed on a wall behind her.

Mother McAuley offers 20 courses in Visual Arts & Technology, and on May 7, we showcased the exceptional artwork that was created by our students in B-Wing throughout the year during Artapalooza! Students, faculty, staff, families, and community members had a chance to view the incredible artwork and enjoy food trucks at this annual event. We are so proud of our MIGHTY talented student artists!

Thanks to all of our families and friends who spent the afternoon with us! 

Seven young women in school-branded shirts and two adult women stand behind a red table with "Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School" printed on a white backdrop.

On May 5, Mother McAuley proudly hosted our inaugural Fine Arts Signing Celebration in honor of seven senior students who committed to pursuing fine arts in college! As part of the admissions process at the schools of their choice, these students had to audition and/or submit a portfolio of work.

Senior named finalist in Chicago Public Library's Teen Winter Challenge

Congratulations to Jazlene Meza '26 on being selected as a finalist in the Chicago Public Library’s Teen Winter Challenge! As a finalist, Jazlene's artwork will be featured in the program’s print catalog, which is entered into the Chicago Public Library's permanent collection.

A group of young women wearing navy blue uniforms and plaid skirts stand together in front of a brick building.

On March 19, we hosted a ceremony for students and their families to celebrate this semester's 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.

Ten young women in school uniforms pose with their award-winning art in a school hallway lined lockers and student artwork

We are proud to congratulate 10 of our MIGHTY talented artists who were recently named 2025 Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Award recipients! Selected from thousands of submissions throughout Cook County, these students earned distinction for their exceptional visual artwork, reflecting both their dedication and artistic skill.

NAHS holds Pumpkin Sale

Members of the National Art Honors Society hosted their annual pumpkin sale during lunch periods at the end of October for faculty, staff, and students. All proceeds from the sale benefit the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls - it's one of our favorite Fall traditions!

Not-So-Haunted House a SPOOKTACULAR event!

We had a SPOOKTACULAR time at Not So Haunted House on October 27! Our clubs and organizations facilitated fun activities including trick or treating, games, crafts and photo experiences for the more than 500 kids and their families who joined us for this event! Our students enjoyed welcoming alumnae and community members into our school and working with children to make them smile!

Mother McAuley - Where Leaders Blossom

We invite you to help leaders blossom by supporting the McAuley Fund this spring. The McAuley Fund enriches many of our school's programs including academics, the arts, athletics, campus ministry, financial aid & beyond.

Donate Today!

Rising senior wins art award

Congratulations to Georgia Martin '26 on receiving third place in the Alcohol/Drug Prevention Poster Contest sponsored by Illinois Churches in Action. We are MIGHTY proud!

Artists shine at Artapalooza

We showcased the exceptional artwork that was created by our students in B-Wing throughout the school year during our annual Artapalooza! 

Artists place in local art contest

Three Mother McAuley artists participated in the Saint Elizabeth Seton Church Creation Care 2025 Art Contest, with two winning top prizes: Eliza Sweeney '25 won 2nd place and Georgia Martin '26 took 3rd place.

Interior design alumna speaks to students

Interior Designer, Kira Obermeier '04, visited our AP & Honors Studio Art classes the last week of April. Kira spoke with students about her career path in the interior design field and the process of opening her own full-service, luxury interior design studio with projects nationwide.

Join us for Artapalooza!

Join the National Art Honor Society for our annual Artapalooza on May 8, starting at 4:30pm! Take a look at the work from our talented student artists while enjoying food from Joey’s, Ohana’s Ice, and churros from Country House. We'll also feature work submitted by junior high students in our Jr. High Art Exhibit. Student artwork will be available for purchase.

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

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 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

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.