Program Overview

Fine Arts Program

The Fine Arts program at Ben Lippen School is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the arts, including visual and digital art, music, and theater.

Visual + Digital Art

The Visual + Digital Art program is offered to students in grades Pre-K3 through 12. The program is designed to help students develop their artistic skills and techniques, as well as their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Lower School

In the Lower School, students in grades Pre-K3 through 4 receive high-quality visual art instruction as part of a six-day elective rotation. The students practice fundamental art techniques, including color, form, and perspective. They showcase their work throughout the year at various events, including the South Carolina State Fair, the Lower School Christmas Concert, and the Lower School Spring Fling.

Middle School

In the Middle School, students in grades 5-8 can choose to enroll in a year-long visual art course as their Fine Arts elective. The students build on the skills they learned in Lower School, while exploring new types of media, including two-dimensional and three-dimensional projects. They showcase their work throughout the year at various events, including the South Carolina State Fair, the SCISA Art Show, the Middle School Christmas Concert, and the Middle School Spring Concert.

High School

In the High School, students in grades 9-12 may enroll in semester-long or year-long visual or digital art courses to fulfill their Fine Arts graduation requirements. The courses include Drawing, 2-D Art, 3-D Art, AP Studio Art, Photography, and Yearbook. The students showcase their work throughout the year at various events, including the South Carolina State Fair, the SCISA Art Show, the AP Art Open House, the High School Christmas Concert, and the High School Spring Concert.

Faculty

The Fine Arts program is taught by a team of experienced and qualified faculty members, including:

• Charlie Mather, High School Photography Teacher
• Amber Nguyen, High School Art Teacher
• Cathy Toburen, Middle School Art Teacher
• Jack Branney, Middle School Art Teacher
• Lindsie Ware, Lower School Art Teacher

Testimonial

The Fine Arts program at Ben Lippen School has received positive feedback from students, including:

I love art classes at Ben Lippen because they provide a friendly and creative space to give my ideas substance. Learning the structure and fundamentals of art from a great teacher has improved my art skills and made the process fun!

Isabel, Class of 2026

Campuses

The Fine Arts program is offered at three campuses:

• Monticello Road Campus: Pre-K3 through 12th Grade, 7401 Monticello Road, Columbia, SC 29203
• Northeast Campus: Pre-K4 through 4th Grade, 3513 Hard Scrabble Rd, Columbia, SC 29223
• St. Andrews Road Campus: Pre-K3 through 4th Grade, 500 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210