Art
To meet school requirements all art courses require a minimum of 4 1/2 hours per week. This time is a combination of class time and individual studio time. Individual work in the studio is important to artistic development. Each student enrolled in an art course will do a research project and keep a personal sketchbook of ideas, drawings, and class notes. Design or Historical Techniques of Western Art must be taken as a prerequisite before taking the other studio courses. Equipment and materials for course work are provided. Materials for independent projects or work outside of class expectations will be purchased by the student.
Introductory Courses
Design: Making Art
Grades 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisite: None
Design is an introduction to basic elements of art and how they function in varied media. Equal emphasis is placed on improving a student’s capability to see and analyze the world and on producing original designs. The approach is one of design as problem solving. Elements of line, color, shape, and form will be explored. Students will be introduced to techniques in studio media such as jewelry, pottery, painting, drawing, collage and printmaking. An iPad unit includes computer generated imagery and photography. Design is a prerequisite for taking studio courses.
Studio Art History
Grades: 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisite: Design: Making Art
This course teaches students to create art using production techniques that span the history of Western art from pre-history to modern times. Studio activities include creation of stained glass panels, bas-relief soapstone carving, ceramics, lithography, calligraphy, creation of pigments and tools from natural materials, pastel painting, and other work that will help students develop a deeper understanding of the major characteristics and trends of each period. Emphasis is placed on acquiring technical skills and on developing an understanding of the historical and cultural context in which each art form was practiced. This course serves as a prerequisite to other studio art courses.
Studio Courses
Digital and Graphic Arts
Grades: 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisite: Design: Making Art
Do you like to use digital media to make art and design or do you want to learn how? In this class students will apply principles of good design to effectively communicate with others in our digital world. Assignments may include the creation of interactive media, web sites, digital illustration, graphic design, photo manipulations, page layout, typography or digital painting. Students will learn to use software (programs, online art storage, digital art sharing sites) and hardware (digital drawing tablets, styluses, computers, cameras, iPads, printers) to bring their ideas to completion. The course will also cover copyright laws, the ideas of the creative commons and intellectual property. We will grapple with the problem of producing exciting and impressive digital art in our age of image “appropriation” while creating unique, personal work.
Drawing I
Grades 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisite: Design: Making Art
This course is an introduction to drawing. Drawing is a technique for translating thought into a format that is accessible to others. In developing their drawing skills students will learn to create, understand and interpret visual imagery. It will take beginning draftsmen through a series of exercises designed to develop their ability to translate their visual perceptions onto a two-dimensional piece of paper. This class emphasizes drawing realistically from observation. The students will learn that all forms of drawing are similar in process. Various media, techniques and subjects will be explored.
Drawing II
Grades: 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisites: Design: Making Art and Drawing I or Permission
This course is designed for the student who has completed Drawing I, or for the experienced draftsman whose skills are verified by the Art Department. The emphasis of the course will be to continue the development of the student’s drawing skills and personal style. Examination of how master draftsmen work will be used to teach the student ways of working successfully. New media and a more conceptual approach to art production will be introduced.
Jewelry
Grades: 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisite: Design: Making Art
Making jewelry is all about solving unique problems in a real world situation. Critical thinking as well as technical skills will be developed. Emphasis is on technique and design in the making of jewelry. This course covers basic jewelry fabrication techniques such as the use of hand tools and machinery, piercing, soldering, bezel stone setting, lost-wax casting, polishing, forming and designing jewelry. Copper, brass, nickel silver, findings and stones are provided for assignments. Sterling silver, and stones for projects beyond the class assignments have to be purchased by the student.
Painting
Grades 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisite: Design: Making Art
The goal of Painting is to teach the aesthetics and techniques of painting while moving the student toward a personal style. Basic painting techniques will be taught, including the stretching of canvas, color theory and the use of paint as a medium (glazing, texture, and surface control). The student will be encouraged to follow their own basic instincts while exploring the use of color, light, form, composition, and the critical analysis of painting.
Photography I
Grades: 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisite: Design: Making Art
This is an introductory course in the study of the photographic image. Images will be created using traditional darkroom techniques and digital technology. Emphasis is on attaining artistic and technical proficiency with the 35 mm and digital camera. Students will learn to develop black and white film, and process black and white images as well as use Photoshop on the computer to generate ink-jet prints. Cameras are available to sign out with parental permission. Paper and film supplies are provided for class assignments. Paper and film for projects beyond the class expectations will have to be purchased by the student.
Photography II
Grades: 10-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisites: Design: Making Art and Photography I
Photography II emphasizes composition, advanced camera skills and printmaking skills in both film and digital formats. Photographs will be produced to develop individual portfolios. Cameras are available to sign out. Paper and film supplies are provided for class assignments. Paper and film for projects beyond class expectations will have to be purchased by the student.
Pottery
Grades: 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisites: Design or Historical Techniques of Western Art
The pottery studio provides a cooperative and supportive environment for students as they learn the process of working with clay. Emphasis is on understanding technique, form and glazing of handmade pottery. Students will complete work with stoneware clay on the pottery wheel. The option to work with hand building techniques is also available. Some of the requirements include: bowls, mugs, vases, pitchers, sugar bowls and bottleneck forms. The semester culminates with a teapot for those who have mastered the techniques. Individual student vision is supported within the context of the assignments.
Printmaking I
Grades: 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisite: Design: Making Art
This course is an introduction to printmaking. Students will explore making monoprints, linoleum prints, drypoint prints, and silk screen prints. Creating and executing original designs using different processes is a major focus of the course. Emphasis will be placed on multiple images, series, and exploring a wide variety of printing ideas. Sharing the work space, presses, and tools, creates a close knit group of students. Group critiques allow individuals to verbalize their goals, and get feedback from their peers. Students work towards a personal style and choose a piece to matt for school wide exhibition.
Sculpture
Grades 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisite: Design: Making Art
The sculpture course is an introduction to working with 3-dimensional materials and techniques. Students explore mold making, plaster carving, armature building in wood and paper mache to support a clay self portrait bust, wax sculpting and bronze casting. A highlight of the course is a visit from guest artist Glen Campbell. He sets up a temporary bronze foundry at Hanover High School, and casts the student's wax models into bronze. Students are encouraged to develop their own creative solutions using the material provided, and to solve a wide range of technical and aesthetic problems.
Independent Art
Grades: 10-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisites: Design: Making Art plus a studio course
This course provides an opportunity to do concentrated work on unique projects of interest for advanced students. The students must have already acquired art skills and demonstrated in previous art courses the individual motivation and seriousness necessary to sustain an independent curriculum. A written statement outlining a proposed program of study must be submitted and approved within the first week of the semester. A student who needs help with developing a proposal should consult directly with the art teacher. Those who do not develop an adequate proposal of study will be dropped from the course.