West Woodland is a school where art is everywhere—on the walls, in the classrooms, in the kiln room, and woven throughout learning. Every student participates in hands-on, high-quality arts experiences thanks to a deeply committed PTA, talented teaching artists, and creative classroom teachers.

Artist In Residence

In addition to art lessons created by teachers in their individual classrooms, the P.T.A. funds art lessons throughout the year in every classroom. The Artist in Residence Program provides quality, equitable and consistent art lessons led by professional teaching artists to all West Woodland students.

Recent residencies include:

• Dance with the Massive Monkees
• Comic arts with David Lasky (Writers in the Schools)
• Ceramic masks with Amaranta Sandys
• Portraits inspired by local female leaders with Valencia Caroll (Arts Impact)

These residencies give students authentic experiences with working artists and build skills in storytelling, movement, cultural expression, identity, and creative problem-solving.

Art in the Classroom

Beyond residencies, West Woodland teachers regularly integrate art into their curriculum. Students create fantastic projects tied to social studies, literacy, science, and math—using drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and mixed media.

Every hallway holds student creativity. Families can see:

• Colorful ceramic tiles created by 5th grade students
• Ever-changing bulletin boards showcasing class projects
• Rotating displays of paintings, comics, portraits, and clay pieces

Art isn’t an add-on at West Woodland—it’s part of our school’s identity.

Before & After School Enrichment

A wide range of before- and after-school classes give students additional creative outlets. Offerings vary by season and may include:

• Ceramics
• Watercolor and drawing
• Performing arts and drama
• Piano and music
• Jewelry making
• Mixed-media art and craft workshops

Clay & Ceramics: Kiln Room

West Woodland has a fully equipped kiln room, allowing all classes to create clay projects throughout the year. Students work with hand-building techniques, glazing, and firing—experiences many elementary schools don’t offer.

Arts events at West Woodland

Field Trips

Students deepen their appreciation for the arts through enriching field trips that may include Seattle Children’s Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet’s The Nutcracker, and Other Seattle cultural experiences that connect classroom learning with live performance

Assemblies

West Woodland has school wide assemblies focused on arts and culture, many of which are sponsored by our Parent-Funded Arts program. Past events have included the Seattle Opera, Hip Hop performances, Japanese Taiko music, and more.

STEAM Night

Each year, families gather for STEAM Night, a hands-on celebration of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Students and parents explore creative challenges, build structures, experiment with materials, and make art together.

Annual Student Art Show

West Woodland’s annual spring Talent Show also features a student Art Show, giving young artists the chance to display their work for the community.