Visual Arts

Fine Arts Mission Statement - The Fine Arts department at Joliet Catholic Academy provides students the opportunity to showcase their talent through exhibitions and performances. Each performing and visual arts course offers opportunities to develop skills, exposure to new situations, evolving technologies, and a variety of techniques that stimulate their creativity. Mindful of the Carmelite and Franciscan Charisms, Fine Art students strive to gain mastery in their chosen discipline by expressing their creativity in a variety of ways.

Visual Arts stimulate your brain activity.

Making things by hand:

yields more personalized results.

gives you less control - but often produces the most interesting results.

gives you more control -you are not limited by the capabilities of a computer.

is better for you physically - manual processes involve your whole body. - Lara McCormack

Click here to view our JCA Student Gallery

Academics

In the Visual Arts we challenge our students Academically through assignments and class work that is appropriate for students heading to college and that pushes the students beyond their current course level. We encourage our students to think further than their first answer, to always look for the next possible solution.

Every JCA student will take at least one Visual Arts class during their four years.

JCA offers 13 different Visual Arts classes, with four beginning level classes.

Student Exhibitions

In the Visual Arts we expect and encourage open mindedness and expose the students to new techniques, activities, and performances in and out of the classroom.

Student work is exhibited in the school hallways, at our Annual Art Show and at several community shows including Joliet Junior College Area High School Art Show, Lewis University High School Art Show and University of St. Francis High School Art Show.

Students can also choose to enter their work in competitions like the Congressional Art Contest.

Student work is also featured in 4188 the Art Literary Magazine.

National Art Honor Society (NAHS)

Beyond JCA we draw similarities between our class/activity and the real life our students are about to embark on.

We expect them to develop and execute a personal plan involving goals and steps to reach success in life.

Intermediate students with an average of B+ are invited to join the National Art Honor Society. NAHS students assist in the set up and take down of the annual Art Exhibit, participate in annual service projects and support the Fine Arts Department with their artistic talents.

Faculty Information

Peg Stoiber – Drawing Media 1, 2D Design, Metalsmithing/Fiber Arts 1, 2 and 3, Sculpture, Drawing Media 2, Studio Art Honors

43 years teaching at JCA
SFA class of 1969
Bachelor of Fine Arts - University of St. Francis
Work published in A Weaver’s Book of 8 Shaft Patterns -1991
Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year - 2010
JCA Hall of Fame - 2012
Co-moderator of 4188 the Art Literary Magazine since 1991
Joliet Arts Council member since 2019

Cory McDermott – Pottery 1, 2 and 3

18 years Teaching at JCA
JCA class of 2001
Bachelor of Arts – Lewis University
Commissioned Liturgical Artist

Course Information

Drawing Media 1

2D Design

Metalsmithing / Fiber Arts

Sculpture

Metalsmithing / Fiber Arts 2 & 3

Studio Art Honors

Pottery 1

Pottery 2

Pottery 3

M. Christine (Wicklein ’66) Schwartz Art Gallery

Named in honor of SFA alumna M. Christine (Wicklein '66) Schwartz, the gallery reflects her lifelong love of the arts and her commitment to inspiring future generations. This space will showcase the creativity and talent of JCA students while celebrating the importance of artistic expression in our community. We are deeply grateful for Christine’s generosity, vision, and dedication to JCA. Her legacy will continue to enrich the lives of our students for years to come.