Visual Arts

Art Workshop 1-2

Prerequisite: None
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Lab Fee: $0

This one-year course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the visual arts and prepares them to further study in this content area. Studio experiences in the classroom will give students opportunities to experience a variety of media while developing the student’s individual voice and creative problem-solving skills. Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, to analyze and to interpret their own artwork and the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writings. Students will generate a digital portfolio of artwork. Art Workshop 1-2 is a prerequisite to all other studio art classes except Sculpture & Ceramics, which does not require a prerequisite.

Art Workshop 3-4

Prerequisite: Art Appreciation, Art Workshop 1-2, or Art Teacher Recommendation
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Lab Fee: $0
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This one-year course introduces students to a comprehensive introduction to the visual arts and prepares them to further study in this content area. Content and pacing are in alignment to the advanced nature of the course. Studio experiences in the classroom will give students opportunities to experience a variety of media while developing the student’s individual style and creative problem-solving skills. Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, to analyze and to interpret their own artwork and the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writings. Students will generate a digital portfolio of artwork. Art Workshop 1-2 or Art Workshop 3-4 is a prerequisite to all other studio level art classes except Ceramics & Sculpture, which does not require a prerequisite.

STUDIO LEVEL CLASSES

Studio level courses provide a focus on student investigation and creative problem solving. Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, to analyze, and to interpret their own artwork and the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writings.  As students proceed through the art program, an increased understanding of both domain vocabulary and historical and contemporary arts should be evident in their work and discourse. Students will expand on their digital portfolio started in previous course work.

Ceramics & Sculpture:

Prerequisite: No pre-requisite required
​Grade Levels(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Course lab fee is $40

Sculpture students are expected to become independent thinkers and to apply their knowledge of the elements and principles of three-dimensional design and concepts to their work. Through the course of their studies, they will explore a variety of media such as metals, wood, wire, paper mâché, found object, ceramics, etc. In ceramics they will explore both functional and nonfunctional forms using a variety of traditional and innovative processes including hand-building and throwing. Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, to analyze and to interpret their own artwork and the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writings. Students will maintain a digital portfolio of their work.

Painting & Printmaking

Prerequisite: Art Workshop 1-2 or Art Workshop Honors
Course lab fee is $30

This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth experience in a variety of drawing and painting techniques such as watercolor, acrylic, oil, tempera, and encaustic. In addition, students will gain experience in a variety of drawing and printmaking techniques such as: serigraphy, intaglio, relief printing, and mono printing. Students will develop an understanding of technical processes through application, as well as further develop their ideation and approaches to composition through visual communication. Students will expand on their digital portfolio started in previous course work.

Graphic Design & Photography

Prerequisite: Art Workshop 1-2 or Art Workshop 3-4
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course lab fee is $30

This course provides a yearlong introduction to visual communication with an emphasis on the visual organization of design elements to transmit meaning and values, as well as experience in black and white film and digital photography.

Topics include shape, color, visual hierarchy, word/image relationships, typography, symbol design, and persuasion. Students will develop a verbal and visual vocabulary to discuss and critique the design world. Both analog and digital methods will be addressed with a focus on the industry standard of the Adobe Creative Cloud, including: Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, to create digital drawings, logos, advertisements, magazines/catalogue layouts, brochures, and more. Visual design for communication is a focus for the course.

In addition, students will use analog cameras, operate darkroom equipment, apply toning baths and hand tinting, as well as a variety of other processes to manipulate film and black and white prints. They will also use digital cameras and a variety of programs to alter and manipulate digital images for print and display. The focus will be on photography as a fine art. Students will develop an understanding of both analog and digital processes through application, as well as further develop their ideation and approaches to composition through visual communication.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASSES

AP Art & Design

Prerequisites: At least two years of high school art as well as instructor recommendation
Course lab fee is $55

This course is a college level studio class. It is designed for the serious art student. The AP Art and Design program consists of three different courses and AP Portfolio Exams—AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing—corresponding to college and university foundations courses. Students may choose to submit any or all the AP Portfolio Exams, however it is recommended that they only attempt one per academic year. Each portfolio consists of two sections: Selected Works and Sustained Investigation. Each portfolio includes works of art and design, process documentation, and written information about the work presented. In May, students submit their portfolios for evaluation based on specific criteria, which include skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas and sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision, guided by questions. College Board exam fees are in addition to the course lab fee and pay for the College Board exam/portfolio submission. Students may earn three college credits per exam through the AP College Board. If all three portfolios are submitted students could earn up to nine college credits prior high school graduation in the visual arts.​