Visual Arts
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Creative Art‐Comprehensive
Description: Students will build on the foundations from Creative Art, with an emphasis on developing the professional skills associated for a career in the Visual Arts and Design field. This class will allow students to continue to develop skills, knowledge, and technique in a chosen art field while at the same time guide students through the process of researching a career as a visual or design artist. Students will create visual and design projects, research creative careers, develop websites and portfolios, and work with local artists and gallery owners to build a foundation for a career in the Visual and Design Arts.
AP ART ‐ HISTORY OF ART | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 51530
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: Students will complete a detailed and intensive college level survey of art history from Pre-History through the contemporary art world. Art of the non-European tradition is covered. Emphasis will be placed on understanding art within the context of social, political, and economic conditions throughout human history. Critical thinking, visual analysis, interpretive writing, and test-taking skills will also be emphasized.
ART AND TECHNOLOGY | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51691
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course is for students interested in using the latest technologies to create art. This course uses a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) based curriculum and is a great art course for any student who enjoys math and science. The course will introduce students to a variety of digital mediums such as computer programming, 3D printing, digital projection, video, and Arduino sensors/electronics. This art course emphasizes 2D/3D design and creative thinking. Each student will produce a digital portfolio of work that explores the student’s interests in digital art.
ART PORTFOLIO | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51700
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: An Advanced class of any studio, i.e. Drawing-Advanced, Painting-Advanced, Watercolor-Advanced, Ceramics-Advanced, Digital Photo-Advanced or Teacher approval
Description: This course is intended for highly motivated, independent students who are seriously interested in the study of art. This course is not limited to students interested in painting and drawing only. Students can pursue studies within other studio courses such as ceramics, photography, painting, drawing, fashion design, jewelry and/or sculpture. Emphasis will be placed on the use of elements and principles to develop a body of work that addresses a personal visual interest or theme. Each student will be expected to produce a certain amount of art and develop both a traditional and digital portfolio. Portfolios will be formally presented at the end of the semester.
CERAMICS | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51591
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course focuses on the basic techniques of working with clay. Students will learn hand building and wheel throwing along with glazing and decorative methods through various projects. After the foundational techniques of clay work are explored, students will move towards designing a self-directed project. Each project will use sketchbooks to create ideas for projects. The student as the artist, will explore and utilize the sketchbook as a planning tool and record of the development of their forms. Production and decoration of projects will be based on the elements of art and principles of design. Students will participate in oral presentations and critiques to develop the skills of assessing and appreciating art work of others as well as their own.
CERAMICS ‐ ADVANCED | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51592
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Ceramics
Description: Students in this course will continue their studies in ceramics by building on the foundation started in Ceramics. Projects will become more complex as students explore hand building, wheel throwing, special glazing, and finishing techniques. Projects will be problem solving and inquiry based so students can choose the solution and direction for the assignment. The elements of art and principles of design will be stressed as the basis of creating each clay form. Students will utilize a variety of critique methods to improve upon their work and their ability to communicate about their work. Students will also be required to create and present a digital portfolio of their work.
CREATIVE ART ‐ COMPREHENSIVE | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51540
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: Students will explore a wide variety of media and processes, art history, the elements of art and the principles of design. This course is recommended for all students who are considering any further study of art at the high school level, as it lays the foundation for all of the two and three dimensional art classes. Students will participate in oral presentations and critiques to develop the skills of assessing and appreciating art work of others as well as their own.
CREATIVE ART ‐ SCULPTURE | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51580
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course will introduce students to the development of three-dimensional forms through the use of basic materials, tools and construction methods. Many different media will be used for completing projects within the course. While exploring and developing the three-dimensional forms, the student will discover how to draw the viewer's eye to all parts of their constructed forms by using the artist's tools for communication: the elements of art and principles of design. Students will also participate in oral presentations and critiques to develop the skills of assessing and appreciating art work of others as well as their own.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51671
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course is for anyone interested in learning the basics of digital photography. Students will use their digital cameras to take pictures and modify the images using Adobe Photoshop. This is an art course that emphasizes better picture taking, 2-D design and creative image making. Each student will produce a portfolio of work that explores their interests in photography.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY ‐ ADVANCED | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51672
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Digital Photography
Description: This course is for students that have completed Digital Photography and want to continue improving their digital photography skills and producing creative photographs. Students will learn additional techniques for editing (including learning Adobe Lightroom), manipulating and finishing their photographs and produce a portfolio of work that addresses a focused interest in photography. Students who are seriously interested in photography are encouraged to repeat this course for credit.
DRAWING | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51561
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This class will teach students how to draw what they see, how to create the illusion of light and shadow, how to use linear perspective and how to render accurate proportions. A wide variety of techniques and media will be explored including graphite pencils, charcoal, pastels, pen and ink, and colored pencils. Students will participate in oral presentations and critiques to develop the skills of assessing and appreciating art work of others as well as their own.
DRAWING ‐ ADVANCED | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51562
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Drawing
Description: Students will engage in visual problem solving, striving to reach new levels of understanding and expand imaginative thought. Students will build on the foundations from Beginning Drawing, with more emphasis on self-expression and use of advanced techniques. Students will utilize a variety of critique methods to improve upon their ability to communicate about their work and will be required to create and present a digital portfolio of their work from the class.
FASHION DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51564
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course is an exciting introduction to the world of fashion. Students start by exploring the history of fashion up to the contemporary designers setting the trends for today's styles. Students then learn the elements of basic fashion illustration and sewing techniques to develop garments and accessories of their own design which are featured in an end of semester fashion show. Students will participate in oral presentations and critiques to develop the skills of assessing and appreciating art work of others as well as their own.
JEWELRY | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51660
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: In this course students learn how to design and produce highly crafted and aesthetically pleasing jewelry. Students will explore various materials, tools and techniques with regard to metal, clay and glass fusing. After students explore basic skills in the various media students will start to design their own groupings of jewelry pieces. Stringing, mounting and fashioning our own findings will allow for final presentation of student's pieces.
LIFE DRAWING | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51563
Grades: 9, 10, 11 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course is for the student who is interested in figure drawing. Students will learn how to accurately draw portraits and figures from various viewpoints. A variety of media such as graphite, pastel, charcoal and ink will be used. Students will work from live models as well as other resources. Students will participate in oral presentations and critiques to develop the skills of assessing and appreciating art work of others as well as their own.
PAINTING | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51571
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This introductory painting class will explore basic painting techniques in tempera, and acrylic. Students will complete several paintings which explore how to mix and use color, how to apply value realistically, how to communicate ideas and themes through visual images as well as exploring various cultures, art styles and master artists. Students will participate in oral presentations and critiques to develop the skills of assessing and appreciating art work of others as well as their own.
PAINTING ‐ ADVANCED | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51572
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Painting or Watercolor
Description: Students will continue their painting studies through acrylic, oil and/or watercolor by building upon the foundations acquired in either Painting or Watercolor. The emphasis of Painting-Advanced is to develop self-expression and creative problem solving skills through the advanced use of materials and processes. At the same time, a strong focus will be placed on developing student ownership of their work throughout the entire creative process. Students will utilize a variety of critique methods to improve upon their work and their ability to communicate about their work. Students will also be required to create and present a digital portfolio of their work.
WATERCOLOR | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 51573
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This class will introduce students to the basic materials, tools, and techniques of watercolor and will give students an introduction to one of the most difficult mediums. Students will explore watercolor through studies in color mixing and theory, capturing realistic lighting and textures, the fundamentals of composition and the use of special effects. Students will participate in oral presentations and critiques to develop the skills of assessing and appreciating artwork of others as well as their own.