Take a walk through the USN Arts Department

by Bo Daniel Parr, USNA board member
 
This spotlight on Arts Department Co-Chair Trent Boysen is Part I in a three-part series on USNA’ s Tiger Arts Program known as TAP.
Strolling through Artclectic this year, I found myself in the Tibbott Gallery, enjoying the student art, brilliantly displayed for the first time in conjunction with the successful fundraiser and art show. The student art show was rich- presenting a multitude of mediums and emotions. There was photography, collage, painting, and sculpture, from risky and raw, to whacky and whimsical. Budding artists and practiced artists were represented in a way that sparked curiosity about what is going on in the Art Wing. So, I recently sat down with Trent Boysen, head of visual arts and co-chair of the Arts Department, to discuss Visual Arts at USN.
 
Bo: Tell me about the Arts Department at USN.
 
Trent: We have an outstanding department comprised of visual arts and performing arts. I chair the Visual Arts Department and Bakari King chairs the Performing Arts Department.  Our mission is to help students access their most creative selves. The experience of making art is as important as the final product, and risk-taking is encouraged and expected. We strive to facilitate informed critical thinking as well as to help students tap into their own intuitive process.
 
Bo: What visual art opportunities are there for students at USN?
 
Trent: After the foundational coursework in 2D and 3D art is completed, students have a wide variety of options such as:  drawing, painting, photography in digital and film formats, ceramics, kiln formed glass, digital art, woodturning, puppetry, and filmmaking- just to name a few.
 
Bo: You have worked here for 21 years, and have seen the Arts Department grow from a modular trailer in the back of the parking lot to a well-appointed multiuse facility. What keeps you coming back?
 
Trent: For me, it’s the level of commitment from the kids. The teachers and the administrative staff are all committed to our mission which creates the space for a lot of magic to happen, but at the end of the day, it’s the kids who motivate me to keep pushing and getting better as an educator. Seeing the kids take risks, then reap the rewards from taking those risks, is a real gift, and I feel lucky to be a part of it.
 
The Arts are alive and vibrant at USN. Take a stroll through one of the galleries next time you find yourself at school for a visit. You will not be disappointed.
 
Stay Tuned. Next month, we visit with Bakari King, chair of the Performing Arts Department.
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School News

List of 3 news stories.

  • The ballot box and beyond: USN Seniors civically engaged

    Students in High School History Teacher Cameron Parsons' Advanced Topics: American Government and Politics Class have been working diligently on civic engagement projects that required them to participate in the democratic process.
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  • An evening of erudition: 22 seniors enter Cum Laude Society

    Congratulations to the Class of 2027 inductees of the USN Cum Laude Society: Jack Barrett, Charlie Blau, Alder Brandon, Olivia Brown, Elisabeth Crane, Alexandra Drewry, Lucia Gellert, Melis Kurtulus, Abigail Manoukian, Lily Margalit, Eleanor Mixon, Louisa Nordberg, Mia Orefice, Karsen Puzniak, Ruchika Ramachandran, Jacqueline Seale, Elliott Spiller, Laine Theobald, Alexander Truss, Yifan Wang, Madeleine Wiseman, and Julia Young.
    Read More

  • Beloved art teacher to receive TAIS excellence award

    Middle and High School Art Teacher Emily Holt will be honored with the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools’ Hubert Smothers Excellence in Teaching Award on Monday, November 9 in Memphis.
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Archive

Athletics News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Mountain Bike Team Takes on “Electric" State Champs Trails, Dehner Snags Overall Podium Medal

    Steve Smail & MTB Team Coaches
    With trail names like Megawatt, Electric Avenue, High Voltage and Livewire, the mountain bike team knew it was time to pedal out some extra watts for their NICA/TICL State Championships at Raccoon Mountain, and survive the technical trails above Chattanooga full of boulder gardens, rock drops and sandy rubble.
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  • Mountain Bike Team Takes on Winged Deer Trails, HS Makes Podium Appearance

    Steve Smail
    Winged Deer Park and trails in Johnson City hosted our 4th race on Sunday October 11th, and despite a bit of hurricane outwash winds and showers - and reduced team numbers due to fall break and distance from Nashville - our racers utilized all available skills and speed which helped “wing" Sophomore Claire Dehner to a 4th place podium spot, our first podium appearance and medal for the season.
     
    Read More

  • HS athletics recaps for September 11-17

    Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.
    Read More

Contact

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

Resources

USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.