Visual Arts

Fine Arts Department Chair: Mr. Mitch Freeman

Riverside Military Academy's talented art students have the opportunity to work in a variety of mediums under the guidance of an accomplished artist and experienced art teacher.

RMA art teacher Mitch Freeman received wide recognition when his artwork was chosen along with three other American designers (Diane Von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger, and Isaac Mizrahi) to participate in the 2010 London Elephant Parade. Mr. Freeman's elephant "Utopia" was one of 264 elephants decorating the streets of London and was later auctioned at Sotheby's with proceeds benefiting an elephant charity. One of his sculptures is also currently on display in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport near the AirTran terminal.

Riverside cadets may choose from 2D and 3D art projects including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and stone carving. Bronze is the material typically used by our art students to create their sculptures, and limestone is often used in their stone carving projects.

Our students also study art history, learn to identify different art styles, and create their original works of art based on lectures, assessment, and learned techniques through both observation and practice.

Some of our student artists receive invitations to exhibit their creations at locales such as Gainesville's Quinlan Visual Arts Center. They are competitive in the Kiwanis Art Showcase, often walking away with top honors. Riverside graduates have even received scholarships to attend excellent art and design schools across the United States.

Projects created by our art students can often be seen proudly displayed around the Riverside campus in the Elkin Hall academic display cases as well as the library in the Sandy Beaver Learning Center!