KMS Art Department 2026 News & Highlights

By Tiffany Eichler

KMS Art Teacher

teichler@kingsleyschools.org

It was another busy year for Kingsley Middle School artists! The 2025-26 school year had many highlights, like creating a mural, going on field trips, and taking new artistic risks.

Student Murals

Every year, students come and go, but the impact they leave behind can last for generations! This year, our art students created two murals that will become a permanent part of KMS. These murals represent pride in our school, commitment to our community, and the belief that every student has something valuable to contribute.

Crystal Mountain Legacy Art Park Trip

Our Studio Art students recently headed out for a day of art, nature, and exploration! Students spent the day hiking through Crystal Mountain's outdoor sculpture park, taking in incredible works of art while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

One of the highlights of our field trip experience was seeing the 2024 collaborative art installation still on display! Students were excited to discover artwork created by fellow young artists hanging among the larger installation.

Our contribution to this years artwork will be going up soon and I will share the results as soon as I can!

During our visit, students selected sculptures that captured their attention and participated in thoughtful critiques. They analyzed artistic choices, shared interpretations, and discovered how differently people can experience the same artwork. There were so many insightful conversations and creative perspectives shared throughout the day!

Students also got to bring their sketchbooks for a some plein air art making. Students slowed down, observed their surroundings, and captured what they saw through quick sketches and studies.

One of the best parts of learning outside the classroom is the opportunity to take creative risks. Throughout the day, students stepped outside their comfort zones, explored new materials, responded to unfamiliar environments, and embraced the unexpected.

From hiking among sculptures and discovering student artwork in a public installation, to sketching outdoors, participating in critiques, and creating nature-inspired pieces of their own, our Studio Art students experienced art in ways that simply can't be replicated inside four walls!

For more information about Studio Art, email teichler@kingsleyschools.org