Our Arts Program

SSFS recently welcomed Technical Director Felix Clarke to the community. Ella C. '27, an Upper School student, musical theater enthusiast, and staff member of our student-run online news publication, The Wildezine, sat down with Felix for an interview. Read Ella's article to learn more about how Felix became interested in theater tech and education, as well as their work as part of the Upper School play.

As a complement to the "Inside/Outside" student-led art exhibition at the Sandy Spring Museum, Upper School students led two art workshops for kids: "Little Figures, Big Stories: A Workshop in Clay, Culture & Creativity" and  "Stamped Stories: A Printmaking Workshop." Students developed valuable skills in collaboration, leadership, and creative problem-solving—culminating in an exhibition and workshops that truly reflected the students' vision and voices

The Upper School Fall Play production of "Concord Floral" told the haunting story of teens whose connection with a departed classmate forces them to confront their own demons.  

During the first quarter of the school year, Keith Adams's 6th Grade Music Class created original digital music pieces, enjoyed "Junk Band" jam sessions, and learned "Prelude to Sunrise," a handchimes piece arranged by Sandra Eithun. See in-class video performances, and hear their original compositions!

On Oct. 22, Upper School students and staff had the opportunity to share instrumental music and singing talents at an Open Mic, held outside of the Performing Arts Center.   

Stop by the PAC Lobby to see the annual SSFS Community Art Show, featuring the creative talents of faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and their families! This special event highlights a wide range of artwork—painting, photography, ceramics, and more—each piece reflecting the unique perspectives and artistic voices of our community. The works will be on display until Nov. 21. 

The Sunday, Sep. 28 reception for the Sandy Spring Friends School student art installation at the Sandy Spring Museum was an astounding showcase of artistic talent in both the visual and performing arts. Run, don't walk, to go see the "Inside/Outside" student art exhibition at the Sandy Spring Museum, open now through Nov. 16, 2025! 

During the 2024-2025 school year, students at SSFS worked with art teachers Shellie Marker and Michelle Puhl-Price to explore the theme of cultural and family traditions through art. Ashley Chih, Elvy Engdahl, Cecilia Gang, Emily Mauser, Fifa Houdje, and Sienna McGavern formed the “museum team,” curating and learning how to put together a public art exhibition, and starting Sep. 28, the works of SSFS students will be exhibited at the Sandy Spring Museum! Community members are invited to the opening reception on Sunday, Sept. 28, from 1-3 PM. Save the dates for two other special museum events:

• Sunday, October 12, 2-4pm: Little Figures, Big Stories: A Workshop in Clay, Culture & Creativity led by Ashley, Sienna, and Fifa (This workshop is designed for elementary-age children; please register in advance.)
• Sunday, November 9, 2-4pm: Stamped Stories: A Printmaking Workshop led by Cecilia and Emily (This workshop is designed for elementary-age children; please register in advance)

The Performing Arts Center was packed for all three fantastic performances of "Twelfth Night the Musical" on May 30-31, 2025! This year, the production was a collaboration between the Upper School Musical and the Community Play, where main speaking/singing roles were played by students in the Upper School class, and an all-ages ensemble of students, parents, staff, and other community members rounded out the cast, populating the town of Ilyria. Congratulations to the cast and crew for putting together this joyful, fun production that showcased the amazing acting and singing talents of our community!

Middle School students had an opportunity to display their talents on stage during a Performing Arts Showcase Assembly on Wed., Jun. 4, featuring dance and handbells/chimes. 

The Lower School celebrated "Springtime" with an assembly full of music, dance, and singing—including, of course, "Passages of Time" to honor our 5th graders who are moving on to the MS!

Seniors and Upper School art teachers, along with family, friends, and the wider SSFS community, participated in a Senior Visual Arts Showcase reception in the PAC on May 19. This dynamic exhibition featured an inspiring range of work in painting, sculpture, photography, weaving, digital media, mixed media, and installation art. Each piece reflects months of exploration, risk-taking, and personal growth from a member of the Class of 2025. These senior projects are not just final assignments—they’re visual essays, emotional portraits, and bold declarations of artistic independence.

On May 22 and 23, Second Graders presented The Chocolate Touch, a class play based on the book by Patrick Skene Catling--and the Greek myth about King Midas (but everything this character touches turns to chocolate, instead of gold).

Ready for Revelry? Experience the joy, the mistaken identities, and the irresistible music of Twelfth Night the Musical, conceived by Kwame Kwei-Armah & Shaina Taub, with a vibrant score by Shaina Taub! Performance Dates: May 30-31, 2025. 

SSFS 5th graders made us laugh and sing while also providing excellent tips for "How to Interact with Human Beings" in their class play on Tue., May 6! Their performance highlighted not only the students' acting and singing talents, but also SSFS's character education and values, as their play demonstrated how to be active listeners, respectful community members, and good friends.

SSFS community members packed the bleachers at the 2025 Sheep and Wool Festival on May 4 to cheer on the five students in Heidi Brown's Weaving and Fibers class who participated in the "Sheep to Shawl" competition. The three competing teams managed to shear a sheep, card and spin the wool into yarn, and then weave it into a shawl in less than three hours—and our team's shawl was the first off the loom! Read more about student and staff participation in the Sheep and Wool Festival, including the Skein and Garment Competition.

Upper School Spring Arts Night on May 1 & 2 featured performances by the Instrumental Music, Dance, and Handbells classes. The Friday evening performance also included a special Senior Music Showcase. It was great to be back in the PAC!

Upper School students gathered outside Moore Hall on a picture-perfect March afternoon for an open mic session, when students showcased their many musical talents, from vocal to instrumental!

Four Sandy Spring Upper School art students are the recipients of Scholastic Art Awards and Recognitions this year. As shared in the communication to the award winners, “The students’ work was reviewed and recognized by a panel of creative professionals, and awarded for its outstanding merit in originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice and vision."

The Upper School's Pen Y Bryn Atrium was transformed on Jan. 30-31, 2025, with Upper School dancers showcasing various dance styles and original student choreography as part of their 2025 Winter Dance Concert, "Trip the Light." 

Featuring the marvelous talents of the Upper School Instrumental Music Class, the Upper School Tiny Desk Concert on Jan. 15 showcased a diverse range of music, including the Overture of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” Dave Brubeck’s “Take 5,” music by The Cure, music from Rent, and so much more. The concert was live-streamed and recorded in Yarnall Library. On Jan. 17, Middle and Upper School Vocal Music students presented "A Path Through Time," performing songs including "Sky Full of Stars," "Happy Together," and "She Used to Be Mine" in the atrium of Pen Y Bryn. 

With the PAC under construction until spring, the Upper School delighted audiences in the Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting House with its production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town.

Sandy Spring Friends School is glowing with purpose and creativity this winter as new Quaker testimony banners grace the campus's light posts. Designed and crafted by Upper School Studio Arts 1 students under the guidance of Shellie Marker and Michelle Puhl-Price, these banners bring Quaker values to life while showcasing our community's artistic dedication and talent.

While the LS Winter Program moved to Yarnall Gym due to PAC renovations, the LS light shone just as brightly, with each class performing songs and dance. It was a perfect kick-off for Winter Break!

The SSFS Community Art Show is now on display in the lobby of Yarnall, featuring beautiful 2-D artwork created by our faculty, staff, parent, and alum communities. Come take a look!

SSFS has been involved in the Empty Bowl project's fight against hunger since 2005. Connecting art, community, and service along with education about the worldwide crisis of hunger, Empty Bowl is now found in schools and art centers around the world. At SSFS, the entire community is invited to help others by making simple, complex, large, or small ceramic bowls over the course of numerous weekend sessions. The beautiful pieces are then offered for purchase at a simple fundraising dinner held in early spring. Save the dates of Oct. 6 and 20 for glazing sessions in the Art Barn!

On June 5, Johanna Cowie, SSFS Archivist and member of the Inquiry Guide Team, unveiled the wildebeest statue's most recent art installation together with the PK3 class, who helped create the new look for the 'Beest's belly! Stacked pieces of wood cut and drilled by Upper School Woodworking teacher David Hickson were set in a spiral, painted by our youngest Springers, and given multiple coats of marine varnish by Johanna. The colorful designs now spin delightfully in the wind! Read more about the history of this special community art project...