Art Courses

Art Foundations
This course is designed to give students a strong foundation in art media and techniques.  Students will learn the fundamental skills necessary to be successful in higher level art courses in the high school art curriculum. Students will use a variety of media including pencil, charcoal, acrylic paint, watercolor, block printing, plaster and clay throughout the semester. Students will focus on strengthening drawing skills, color theory, basic design, and sculptural techniques.

Exploring Art
This course will continue to build the concepts and skills initiated in Art Foundations. Students will continue to develop fundamental skills and techniques while moving forward with guided self expression. The first quarter of the semester will focus on two-dimensional skills and materials and the second quarter will be primarily three-dimensional. Students will be introduced to a variety of new media and techniques including charcoal, chalk pastels, oil pastels, pen and ink. Students will be using a variety of new sculptural media and techniques including wire, cardboard, clay, plaster, and jewelry.

Basic Photography
In this introductory course, students will learn the historical, technical, artistic, and practical nature of photography. The history of photography and photographic techniques will be learned through readings, discussions, and the study of images. Photographs will be taken using manual 33mm SLR cameras. Basic black and white chemical developing techniques will be explored. Enlarging and mounting will be learned for proper photo presentation. Students will need a 3-ring binder.

Introduction to Digital Arts
In this introductory course, students will learn a variety of digital art-making processes that include digital photography, graphics programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and digital video and editing software. Students will learn about historical and contemporary practices involving art and technology, and will create their own works in these forms. Students will be able to use digital SLR still-cameras and mini DV video cameras for producing personal and creative works of art. The different technologies explored in this class will build on one another; students may be using still photography, video and graphics work in the same projects. The class serves as a prerequisite for Videography Sudio and Graphic Design Studio. Students will need a 3-ring binder.

Ceramics Studio
This course will build on students’ prior experience working with clay, focusing on both hand built and wheel-thrown techniques. In this class, students will learn several different techniques including: hand sculpting, hard and soft slab construction, wheel throwing, decorative ceramic techniques, and assisting in firing a kiln. Students will be able to promote and share their ideas through class discussion and group critiques. Students will need a sketchbook.

Painting Studio
This course will build on techniques learned in Introduction to Drawing and Painting. Students will focus on more advanced painting media and techniques. Students will explore acrylic, watercolor, oil, and encaustic painting. Creations will involve developing a personal style of painting while working with real life, abstraction, and imaginary images. Students will be able to promote and share their ideas through class discussion and group techniques. Students must have a sketchbook and are strongly advised to purchase a set of paintbrushes.

Sculpture and Art Metals Studio
The purpose of this class is to introduce students to advanced sculpture techniques including jewelry and metal-smithing. The first half of this course will be dedicated to learning art metals techniques focusing on the creation of small jewelry pieces. Students will learn sawing, forging, soldering, enameling and stone setting. During the second half of the semester, students will explore their own ideas in sculpture. Students will be able to promote and share their ideas through class discussion and group critiques. Students will need a sketchbook.

Drawing and Printmaking Studio
This course will focus on advanced drawing skills and techniques as well as many printmaking techniques that will enhance these drawing skills. The course begins with a focus on representational drawing and will move toward less realistic drawing and more creative self-expression. Emphasis will be placed on mark making and the development of a personal style. In this class, students will use pencil, pen, charcoal, chalk and oil pastels, as well as learning monoprinting, etching, block printing and lithography techniques. Students will be able to promote and share their ideas through class discussion and group techniques.

Photography Studio
This course builds on skills learned in Basic Photography. This course will allow students to make connections with photography-related careers and to produce quality images that communicate the photographer’s ideas. Students will work with both digital and manual 35mm SLR cameras. Emphasis will be placed on producing quality photographs using the manual functions of both cameras. Students will explore the historical and contemporary components of photography through the study of individual photographers along with photography movements, techniques and genres. Students will work in the dark room utilizing advanced chemical processing techniques. Additionally, students will work on computers using Photoshop to manipulate their images and produce quality digital prints. Students will need a 3-ring binder.

Videography Studio
Today’s teenager can be safely labeled “The Digital Generation.” These students receive far more cues about the world they live in through images by electronic media than anywhere else. Using video technology will allow them to further increase their scope of communicative tools. This is a course intended to teach students the fundamentals of video production. The following will be explored: expressive and utilitarian aspects of video in today’s society, how to plan and write for the screen, methods of production with various technologies, different presentation formats, and the creation, planning, and execution of independent films. Students will need a 3-ring binder.

Graphic Design Studio
This course builds on skills learned in Introduction to Digital Arts. Emphasis will be placed on processes and techniques used by graphic designers and design firms. This course will focus on creatively solving real-world print and product design problems, and providing a more in-depth understanding of graphic design and other deign related fields. The use of drawing skills and materials are important to the development and execution of solutions to each problem. Students will complete their final products using Illustrator, Photoshop,, and InDesign on PC computers. Students will refine their visual and verbal vocabulary in graphic design. Students will promote their projects and share their ideas through class discussion and group critiques. Students will need a 3-ring binder.

Combined Media [AP option available]
This course is geared towards students interested in pursuing the rigor of AP Studio Art in the mediums of graphic design, photography, video or some combination of digital media. This course is for the serious art students interested in pursuing their artistic vision. Students will have the option of submitting portfolio work in photography or graphic design for review by the College Board for potential college credit. Students will also have the opportunity to explore in-depth mediums like animation and videography that are not recognized by the College Board. No matter the medium, students will strive to show mastery of design in concept, composition/production, and execution. Students will need a sketchbook.

Advanced Placement Studio Art: Drawing/3D Design
This course is geared toward for the serious art student who is considering a post-secondary degree in the visual arts, a career as a fine artist, an art educator, or who wants the challenge of a rigorous art program that allows the student to pursue their individual artistic vision. This course offers students the potential to receive college credit by submitting a portfolio for review by the College Board. If the student chooses not to submit a portfolio they will still receive advanced credit. The course will address three major concerns that are constants in art production:

1.     a sense of quality in student work;

2.     student concentration on a particular visual interest or problem;

3.     student need for breadth of experience in formal, technical, and expressive means

Students signing up for this course are expected to take the AP examination for either Drawing, 3D Art or 2D Art. Students will need a sketchbook.