Curriculum Corner: 'Blue Mountain School students explore color in annual Art Center exhibit'
Throughout the past two months, Blue Mountain School students have immersed themselves in the fundamentals and complexities of color in preparation for the annual exhibit.
Picture this: students gathered under the canopy of trees, paintbrushes in hand, eyes fixed on the changing autumn leaves above them. A palette of natural colors surrounds them — golden yellows, deep reds, earthy browns — as they mix their own versions of these hues on their paint pallets. This is art class at Blue Mountain School, where learning happens not within four walls, but in nature's own studio.
For the third year in a row, Blue Mountain School is bringing the fruits of these outdoor explorations to the Falcon Gallery at The Floyd Center for the Arts, transforming the space into a vibrant celebration of young artists' creativity and learning.
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The annual tradition began in December 2023 with self-portraits and collages, continued in 2024 with explorations of abstract art, and now in 2025, students present their discoveries in the world of color.
Throughout the past two months, Blue Mountain School students have immersed themselves in the fundamentals and complexities of color. From learning to mix primary colors to creating eye-catching color schemes and combinations, young artists have expressed their talents through process-based exploration of color and materials.
True to Blue Mountain School's contemplative progressive approach, much of this creative work has taken place outdoors, where students draw inspiration directly from nature's palette.
Leading this artistic journey is Enrichment Art teacher Lore Deighan, a Floyd native who returned to her community in 2008 and has been nurturing young artists at Blue Mountain School for 13 years. A VCU graduate with a degree in Painting and Printmaking, Lore brings her passion for art and the natural world into every lesson.
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"I weave my artistic and creative self, my passion and awe for the natural world, and my enthusiasm for wandering and wandering through life into my role as educator," she said. This philosophy shines through in the student work that will fill the gallery walls — pieces that reflect not only technical skill, but also the joy of discovery and the connection between art, nature, and learning.
The exhibition will be on display from Dec. 12 through Jan. 24, 2026, in the Falcon Gallery at the Floyd Center for the Arts, located at 220 Parkway Lane S. An opening reception from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, will feature a special musical performance by Blue Mountain School students, led by Mindful Music and Movement teacher Kris Kiko-Cozy at 4:30 p.m.
The community is invited to celebrate these young artists and witness firsthand how Blue Mountain School's unique approach to education nurtures creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
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Blue Mountain School is a progressive, contemplative school in Floyd, where intentional curriculum planning is part of the everyday. “Curriculum Corner” is a bi-weekly column written by Blue Mountain School teachers to share insight and school happenings.