AP Art History Takes a Trip to the Basilica

School Without Walls’ AP Art History students went on an exciting field trip on November 17, where they visited Washington, D.C.’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The teacher of the class and person in charge of the trip, Mr. Jason Bulluck, described the trip as “the introduction to a bunch of architectural ideas.” 

The Basilica is impressive the moment you walk in. As Mr. Bulluck described, the building feels “methodical,” with the intentionally arranged architecture drawing your eyes upward. The mix of Romanesque and Byzantine styles is clear in the wide, rounded forms and massive dome. Inside, detailed mosaics made from tiny tiles cover the walls and ceilings. A student on the field trip, Maya Mehta-Smith (‘28), said the Basilica was “really beautiful and had a lot of mosaics, paintings, and sculptures.”

Other students noticed different aspects as well. Penelope Hoppes (‘28) shared that her favorite part of the trip was “seeing how the architecture connected to other things within history.” The side chapels each highlight a different culture's connection to Mary, giving the Basilica a global and layered atmosphere. The building’s details, mosaics, and thoughtful design create a meaningful space that reflects centuries of artistic and cultural influence.

Before the trip, the students researched the Basilica’s architecture and artwork to be able to further understand it when seen in person. Mr. Bulluck explained that the class completed cursory readings to help them recognize certain vocabulary and compare the Basilica's features with other famous buildings studied.

Many students agreed that seeing everything in person gave them a better understanding of the architecture of the time. Rocio Marin-Hormigo (‘28) said that she “loved researching about the Basilica and looking at my notes before seeing it in person,” explaining that the background information made the details stand out more once she was there. Hoppes added that “seeing it in person was really helpful to understanding what we had already learned in class,” especially when it came to connecting the architecture to historical influences. Other students felt similarly. Smith shared that the visit helped her “get a sense of scale,” something that is hard for images and readings to capture. Together, their experiences revealed how the trip deepened the class’s understanding of what they had studied beforehand.

The trip was overall a positive and educational experience for the students. While in the Basilica, everyone was able to wander individually or with friends while completing a small “scavenger hunt,” which encouraged them to pay attention to details they might have otherwise missed. Several students said that seeing the architecture and artwork firsthand made the lessons feel more real and memorable. Some, like Marin-Hormigo, said they would recommend this trip to anyone interested in art, architecture, culture, and, of course, art history.