FOR THE LOVE OF THE ARTS
The curriculum attempts to train students to not just identify the pieces of art but also to think critically about them and their relationship to society .”
— Paul Lauber ’ 08 , Art Teacher
Of course , one doesn ’ t have to paint or draw to appreciate visual art . AP Art History , a course taught by Paul Lauber ’ 08 , exposes students at the Prep , prehistoric art ( cave drawings ) to contemporary works like The Gates of Central Park .
“ My two goals are to prepare students for the AP test and foster a love of art ,” said Lauber .
As a Prep student , he took Intro to Fine Arts with Otis , Studio Art I with Marilyn Honigman , and Art History with Fr . Mallick Fitzpatrick , SJ . His studies in Fr . Fitzpatrick ’ s class nurtured his growing interest in art history .
After finishing college , Lauber returned to the Prep to teach English . In his second year on the faculty , he began a three-year journey of teaching the Art History course with Fr . Fitzpatrick .
Fr . Fitzpatrick retired from his 50 years of service to the Prep in 2009 . He passed away in April of 2019 .
Lauber continues to teach the Art History course at Fordham Prep , which became part of the AP program in 2015 . He gets students to engage with the 250 pieces of art in the curriculum through group presentations and discussions on how the works are connected to history , religion and culture .
“ The curriculum attempts to train students to not just identify the pieces of art but also to think critically about them and their relationship to society ,” he explained .
Lauber notes that multiple students in the program have earned 5 ’ s on the test , which is the highest mark available on the AP exam .
FP3D ’ s display of work at spring 2023 ’ s iSTEAM Expo included a 3D printed chess set , replica dinosaur skulls , and more .
The Future of Visual Art
Each May since 2022 , the Prep ’ s hosts its iSTEAM Expo to celebrate projects that students have worked on during the year . Moderated by Mario Caraballo , the 3D printing club ( FP3D ) displays the many objects they have masterfully created at the expo , which draws curiosity from parents and fellow students . Throughout the school year , the club ’ s 3D-printed sculptures are also on permanent display in the Prep ’ s McNamara Library .
It ’ s rather exciting to have the opportunity and space to experiment with such technologies that blend creativity and scientific skill . While many students in the club are aware of how gamechanging 3D printing is , some are still surprised by the level of impact the technology can have in the world .
“ There was a news report I saw a while ago where doctors were talking about 3D printing human hearts for those who need transplants ,” said computer science teacher and Assistant Director of Technical Operations Danielli Antoniou one day in the Adlerman Makerspace .
The students grabbing materials for the 3D printer stopped in their tracks , eyes widened at the thought of saving lives with functional 3D-printed art . They began talking about a future where students on service trips could potentially help build 3D-printed houses alongside architects .
The students grabbing materials for the 3D printer stopped in their tracks , eyes widened at the thought of saving lives with functional 3D printed art .
Michael Doyle , FAIA ’ 69 one of the founders of the award-winning firm Acheson Doyle Partners Architects remembers graduating on the cusp of computer technology ’ s impact on the field of architecture . He had become interested in the field through a class at Hughes Hall with Fr . Nicholas Lombardi , SJ ’ 61 that touched on Greek architecture and city planning .
“ Computers were just becoming popular in the 70s . Then it was a super acceleration of the technical ability of what the computer could do . We didn ’ t even think of AI but the first 3D modeling was phenomenal on even a small scale ,” Doyle remembered . “ I think [ 3D-printing ] is a genuine reality that you ’ ll see in modular home construction and different pieces of facades of buildings in the restoration work that architects do ,” he added .
The future of visual and performing arts at the Prep indeed rests on the edge of endless possibility .
WINTER 2024 VOLUME 44 , ISSUE 1
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