It is such a joy to return to Napa and once again be part of the incredible program that is Oxbow! I attended Oxbow my junior year, as part of OS16 in the spring of 2007. I then went on in pursuit of a BA degree in Art from Elon University in North Carolina. I graduated this past spring and packed up more boxes of ceramic artwork than I did anything else! I am interested in going into art education at the high school/college level and see this as a wonderful opportunity to observe and engage in an unique model of teaching and learning. These talented students are at such an enthusiastic and creative age, I look forward to being inspired by them while at the same time sharing my passion for art and teaching over this transformative semester. To view samples of my work, please visit: https://sites.google.com/site/laurabrentrup/.

OS28 Biking Co-Curricular lead by Patrick Foy, Sculpture teacher with assistance from Holly McVeigh, Admissions Director.

Napa Valley Register: 10 Questions - Head of School Seeks Creative Side of Students
By Jennifer Huffman
October 16, 2012

Stephen Thomas is the founding director and head of school at the Oxbow School in Napa. Oxbow is a visual arts–oriented, one-semester boarding school located in downtown Napa. Thomas, who has been an educator since 1984, described what he likes about working with high school students. “Their never-ending creativity,” as well as their idealism, energy and hope, he said. To read full article and his responses to all 10 questions click on the above link.

Napa Valley Register: 10 Questions - Head of School Seeks Creative Side of Students

By Jennifer Huffman

October 16, 2012



Stephen Thomas is the founding director and head of school at the Oxbow School in Napa. Oxbow is a visual arts–oriented, one-semester boarding school located in downtown Napa.

Thomas, who has been an educator since 1984, described what he likes about working with high school students. “Their never-ending creativity,” as well as their idealism, energy and hope, he said.

To read full article and his responses to all 10 questions click on the above link.

Oxbow's first project addressed the theme of Observation. The unit was team taught by art and humanities faculty pairs. In the class led by Environmental Science teacher Lenora Ditzler and Painting teacher Chris Thorson, students observed the Oxbow gardens through the lenses of artist and scientist. Students discussed the biotic and abiotic aspects within an ecosystem, studied form and function through dissection, and translated their observations through finished works in charcoal and acrylic paint. In the assignments’ final days, students developed paintings from a botanical still life.

Painting teacher Chris Thorson with Miranda on a garden co-curricular field trip to the The National Heirloom Exposition.

Natalie and Jeana

I grew up in Portland, Oregon and attended Oxbow in the Fall of my senior year of high school. I felt that my perspectives on school, personal relationships, and life in general were so changed by my experience at Oxbow that I promised myself I would return to work there. After high school, I went on to attend the Maryland Institute College of Art. This May, I graduated with a BFA in textile, garment and costume design. In my work I create wearable art, costumes and jewelry from old clothing, fabric scraps and polymer clay. I am currently working on a small clothing line and selling jewelry through my etsy shop. My hope is that by coming back I will help the next generation of Oxbow students thrive in their time here. To view my work, please visit www.natalie-ebaugh.com.

Lake Oswego senior Elise Wunderlich earns a national Portfolio Gold Award for her art accomplishments. The Portfolio Gold Award is the highest level of achievement in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the country’s longest-running and most prestigious award and recognition program for creative teenagers. She is one of just 15 high school seniors in the country honored with the Portfolio Gold Award, which includes a $10,000 cash prize.

"She credits her success to the intensive program she attended this fall at Oxbow in Napa, Calif. “Oxbow encouraged her to look at a wide variety of media which included performance art and sculpture,” said Katie Brink, one of Wunderlich’s art teachers at Lake Oswego High School." See the full article in the The Lake Oswego Review, Mar 22, 2012.

Delyn Phanor was April's featured young artist by Artists for Humanity. Check out his interview followed by a video created in their Graphics Department starring Delyn as he pays homage to Micron pens! Go to the link above for the complete article.