Visual Arts

Foundation Studio is a prerequisite course for all visual art courses 

and must be successfully completed before enrolling in any other Fine Art courses. 

Foundation Studio is an introductory course in which students will explore a variety of arts materials, tools, and techniques. It provides a comprehensive visual foundation, which is necessary for the total development of the high school student artist. The course will lead students through an exploration of techniques in the visual arts across a variety of mediums, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional. Students will be introduced to various concepts and ideas from art history, engage in discussions and critiques using the language of visual art and design, explore the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, and develop their own personal ideas through their art making practice. Artistic conceptual and technical development will be explored through long term and short-term assignments as well as a variety of visual, written, and verbal responses. Grades 9-12

THE FOLLOWING COURSES ARE DESIGNED FOR THE ART STUDENTS 

WHO WANT TO EXPLORE THE MEDIUM IN MORE DEPTH:

Drawing - In this intermediate-level class, students will develop a variety of drawing skills while cultivating a sense of visual aesthetics.  Students will explore both traditional and non-traditional drawing methods and concepts in the creation of unique artworks. This project-based course will lead students through investigations of line, design and composition, color, and value, creating the illusion of three-dimensional forms, perspective, and figure drawing while expanding students’ technical drawing ability, conceptual skills, and creativity. Students will investigate a range of mark making techniques and methods in various media, including graphite, charcoal, pastel, colored pencil, ink, scratchboard, and mixed media to express their own unique artistic visions and styles. Prerequisite: Foundation Studio. Grades 9 (in the spring semester) or grades 10-12.

 Mixed Media - This intermediate course will offer an in-depth exploration of techniques and new ways to see, use, and interpret mixed media in art making. Mixed media is defined by works of art that are created from a combination of different media or materials and processes. Students will investigate a wide variety of methods and materials, both traditional and non-traditional while examining contemporary artists working with mixed media. Students will be encouraged to develop their personal voice through a variety of projects and assignments. Mixed media is a project-based class that gives students an opportunity to explore a variety of art media.  Prerequisite: Foundation Studio. Grades 9 (in the spring semester) or grades 10-12.

Ceramics/3D Design is a course where students build on knowledge and skills developed in Foundation Studio in a series of 3-D projects. The course focuses primarily on clay but may also explore other sculptural materials and techniques. Students will learn pinch, coil & slab hand-building techniques in making a variety of functional and non-functional objects. They will be exposed to the ceramic process, from wet clay to fired objects. Class participants will be expected to produce a minimum of six projects. There is a $15 lab fee for clay. For students on free and reduced lunch fees are waived. Prerequisite: Foundation Studio. Grades 9 (in the spring semester) or grades 10-12.