Art

Department Overview:

The ARHS Art program is designed to allow students to select from a wide range of courses that reflect their particular interests in Fine Art. The four Foundations of Art course offerings are designed to give 9th grade students an introduction to the visual arts, each with a different focus. Foundations of Art courses are for 9th grade students only, and they are encouraged to take more than one. Most courses with a focus of or within a single media are open to all students in grades 10 through 12, without a prerequisite. These courses include: Charcoal Drawing, Pen & Ink Drawing, Stencil & Relief Printing, Etching & Monoprinting, Watercolor Painting, Color Studies, Ceramics, Figurative Sculpture, Abstract Sculpture, Functional Fiber Arts, and Sculptural Fiber Arts. Oil Painting, Black & White Photography, and Yearbook Production are open to all students in grades 11-12 only. Advanced Ceramics has a prerequisite of having taken Ceramics. All studio art courses are 2 credit courses. Art History is an academic elective offered through the Art Department, open to all students in grades 10-12, and is a semester length 4-credit course. We encourage all students to consider taking at least one studio art course before they graduate ARHS. 

Course Descriptions:

Foundations of Art - Printmaking (6067)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to 9th grade students only

Students in this course will focus on the ‘Elements of Art’ and the ‘Principles of Design’ while exploring a range of printmaking techniques. Students will create prints that range from abstract to representational as they learn new techniques and implement new pictorial strategies. The following concepts will be emphasized: line, shape, value, form, color, texture, rhythm, and composition. Students will focus on compositional design as well as developing critical approaches to content and expression as they design and execute engaging and well-crafted prints. They will be expected to participate actively in class critiques and discussions. 

Foundations of Art - Drawing (6066)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to 9th grade students only

Students in this course will focus on the ‘Elements of Art’ and the ‘Principles of Design’ while exploring a range of two-dimensional drawing media. Students will create work using a variety of drawing techniques, drawing from both observation and imagination. The following concepts will be emphasized: line, shape, value, form, color, balance, emphasis, unity, proportion, and composition. Students will focus on compositional design as well as developing critical approaches to content and expression as they design and execute engaging and well-crafted drawings. They will be expected to participate actively in class critiques and discussions.

Foundations of Art - Sculpture (6064)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to 9th grade students only

Students in this course will focus on the ‘Elements of Art’ and the ‘Principles of Design’ while exploring a range of three-dimensional methods and materials. Students will create work using a variety of sculptural techniques including additive, subtractive and assemblage. The following concepts will be emphasized: mass, void, form, shape, balance, movement, texture, volume, rhythm, relief, proportion and abstraction. Students will use some of the following materials: clay, wire, wood, plaster, cardboard, and found objects. Students will focus on form and space as well as developing critical approaches to content and expression as they design and execute engaging and well-crafted sculptures. They will be expected to participate actively in class critiques and discussions. 

Foundations of Art - Painting (6065)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to 9th grade students only

Students in this course will focus on the ‘Elements of Art’ and the ‘Principles of Design’ while exploring a range of water-based painting media and approaches to painting. Students will create paintings from observation, photographs, and their own imagination. The following concepts will be emphasized: line, shape, value, form, color, space, texture, rhythm, and composition. Students will focus on compositional design as well as developing critical approaches to content and expression as they design and execute engaging and well-crafted paintings. Specific painting techniques and brush skills will be introduced; including glazing, scumbling, impasto, alla prima, blocking, and modeling. Understanding basic color theory and color mixing is a core part of this course. Students will be expected to participate actively in class critiques and discussions.

Art History (626a)

Art History/Honors (626b)

Credits: 4

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

This course is an academic course taught through the Art Department. Art History is a survey of artistic production from prehistory to the present day. We will examine the link between artistic production and historical events; how history shapes art and how art can shape history. The course covers architecture, painting, sculpture, and other art forms produced by many cultures and civilizations over six continents. Through slide presentations, discussions, readings, note keeping, writing, research, and field trips, students will understand major works of art both formally and contextually. In addition to studying facts, students will learn to analyze, synthesize, and compare works of art, with an emphasis on the understanding of style.

Honors Option: Students will have additional weekly readings as well as completing independent research papers that focus on the formal, iconographic, and contextual analysis of individual artworks.

Ceramics (603a)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

This course introduces students to the techniques and concepts of ceramics. Students will explore a variety of methods including throwing on a wheel, hand building, and sculpting with slab. Students will learn to alter thrown vessels to create sculptural forms - addressing the concepts of balance, proportion, volume and texture. Students will use sgraffito, carving, and additive methods to create expressive surfaces. Students will use glaze and underglaze to incorporate color, line, pattern, and texture to their ceramics. The decision to create functional work, or focus solely on form, is a decision students will get to make throughout the course.  Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding and appreciation of artists, past and present, in the field of ceramics. Students will learn to think critically about their work and that of their peers through active participation in class critiques and discussions.

Advanced Ceramics (603b)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: Ceramics. Open to students in grades 11-12

In this course students will build on their ceramic skills from the introductory course to create more complex and expressive work. Students will learn new techniques, as well as expand on the skills learned in Ceramics with the goal of creating work that addresses balance, movement, rhythm, pattern, form and texture. Students will learn the skills needed to create a series of works that may include lidded vessels, altered vessels, a pair, and a self-portrait teapot. Students will use underglaze, glaze, and stains to add color and emphasize texture. They will try other types of clay such as porcelain or terracotta. Students will follow form over function, but can choose whether to create a functional portfolio or focus solely on the sculptural aspect of ceramics. In addition to technical skills, we will discuss the role of ceramics in cultures past and present. Students will be challenged to critique their own work as well as the work of their peers. They will be expected to participate actively in class critiques and discussions.

Charcoal Drawing (6054)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

In this course students will learn fundamental drawing techniques with an emphasis on using charcoal in its various forms. Students will learn to draw from observation, from photographic reference and from their imaginations. In addition to developing their technical skills, students will be challenged to work expressively and creatively with compressed charcoal, charcoal pencils and conte crayons. Working from project prompts that build in ambition and complexity, students will be encouraged to experiment and develop their creative voice. Students will be guided through each project with the assumption that they may have no experience with these materials and techniques. Through studio projects, demonstrations, slide presentations and critiques, students will gain the skills and confidence to express themselves creatively in this exciting drawing medium.

Pen & Ink Drawing (6055)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

Students in this course will learn various pen & ink drawing techniques as they explore projects that utilize a variety of sources. Students will learn to use different types of pens and ink applicators, as well as brush & ink, and watercolor. Small studies will prepare students for self-designed projects, including a large illustration and a full-page comic. Students will be challenged to create original and authentic drawings grounded in creative thinking and the study of drawing fundamentals. In addition to developing their technical skills, students will be challenged to think critically and creatively about their own work and the work of their peers. They will be expected to participate actively in class critiques and discussions.

Functional Fiber Arts (6057)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

Functional Fiber Arts is an introduction to creating usable and/or wearable artworks using a range of fiber including but not limited to fabric, thread, yarn, paper, dyes, and organic materials. Students in this course will learn methods of construction critical to creating functional objects such as books, garments, and vessels. Topics may include but are not limited to bookmaking, hand and machine sewing, embroidery, and weaving. Students will examine fiber arts practice as a means of preserving ancestral and community knowledge, explore contemporary craft practices, and study the role of fibers in a historical context. 

Sculptural Fiber Arts (6056)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

Sculptural Fiber Arts is an introduction to creating 3D artworks using a range of fiber including but not limited to fabric, thread, yarn, paper, dyes, and organic materials. Students in this course will learn methods of fiber manipulation and construction critical to creating sculptural art objects that address such formal concepts as balance, volume, and texture.  Topics may include but are not limited to bookmaking, hand and machine sewing, embroidery, and weaving. Students will examine fiber arts practice as a means of preserving ancestral and community knowledge, explore the relevancy of fibers in contemporary artmaking practices, and study the role of fibers in the context of social justice movements. STUDENTS WHO HAVE TAKEN THE COURSE ENTITLED “FIBER ARTS” DURING SY 2022-23 OR 2023-24 SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS COURSE.  

Watercolor Painting (6081)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

Watercolor is a transparent paint that is thinned with water and then brushed onto absorbent paper. Many of us have used watercolors as children because they are wonderfully portable, generally non-toxic and clean up easily. During this course students will focus on building the following foundational skills: paint dilution, washes, glazing, and wet-into-wet techniques. Working from direct observation, imagination, and photographic reference, students will develop their ability to build an image from sketch to finish as well as working with more spontaneous techniques. Composition, depth, and color theory will be emphasized as students gain technical mastery. Through studio projects, demonstrations, slide presentations, and critiques, students will gain the skills and confidence to express themselves creatively in this exciting painting medium. 

Oil Painting (6085)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 11-12

As the name implies, oil painting uses drying oils as a medium as opposed to water. This difference allows oil paint to be blended and corrected over time. It is the most challenging of all painting media, and it is also many people’s favorite. This course is an introduction to harnessing the potential of oil paint as students will learn to control and exploit its many unique properties. Students will complete a series of small studies as well as two substantial and original paintings, one on board and one on canvas. Techniques such as glazing, scumbling, impasto, imprimatura, alla prima, blocking, and blending will be practiced and then implemented. Color theory and color mixing are also a central part of the class. In addition to developing their technical skills, students will be challenged to think critically and creatively about their own work and the work of their peers. They will be expected to participate actively in class critiques and discussions. Some prior painting experience (any media) and basic knowledge of the color wheel is recommended but not required.

Color Studies (6221)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

Color is an essential part of our everyday lives and an incredibly important aspect of art and design. In Color Studies, students will learn to see, understand, and use color effectively in art and in life. Students will work with paint, drawing materials, and collage as they explore color relationships, harmonies, and color relativity. Assignments will range from color matching exercises to ambitious, student driven projects. Along with learning about the technical aspects of color and visual perception, students will be encouraged to work intuitively as they hone their own color sense and develop their unique creative voices. Through studio projects, demonstrations, slide presentations and critiques, students will gain the skills and confidence to understand and work with color. 

Black & White Photography (6091)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 11-12

In this course students will learn about the foundations of photography through the use of a 35mm film camera and a wet darkroom. Students will gain an understanding of the mechanics of a manual camera, black and white film developing, enlarging, printing and dry mounting. Students will gain an understanding of the concepts of light, composition, angle, contrast, depth of field, shutter speed and ISO. Throughout the course students will learn to critique their work as well as that of their peers through active participation in class critiques. Although not required, it is helpful to have use of a manual 35mm film camera. Students who do not have access to a camera may borrow one from the school. By studying and critiquing well known photographers from history to the present, and engaging in discussions about the impact of photography on society, students will gain the ability to create photographs that expose issues in their lives and bring awareness to the overlooked. 

Digital Photography (619)              

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to all students in grades 10-12

In this course students will learn about the foundations of photography through the use of a DSLR digital camera and computer editing programs such as Adobe Photoshop. Students will gain an understanding of the mechanics of a DSLR camera, manual and semi-manual settings, photo manipulation, and digital image quality specifications.  Students will develop a digital portfolio that showcases their unique creative voice and demonstrates an understanding of concepts of light, composition, point of view, contrast, depth of field, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Throughout the course students will learn to critique their work as well as that of their peers through active participation in class critiques. Although not required, it is helpful to have use of a DSLR camera.  Students who do not have access to a camera may borrow one from the school. 

Stencil and Relief Printing  (6115)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

Stencil printing uses an exciting combination of painting and printmaking techniques. Artists use stencils as a quick way to create multiples of an image. In this class students will learn how to translate images-from photographic reference and from their imaginations-into the language of stencil printing. In relief printing, the artist draws a design backwards on a carvable surface like wood or linoleum. Then, using a carving tool, the artist cuts away the negative space in their design, leaving only the drawing raised up (in relief). The raised-up lines and shapes are inked with a roller and printed on paper. Artists can make many prints of the same image using different colored inks, different papers, and experimental techniques. Working from project prompts that build in ambition and complexity, students will be encouraged to experiment and develop their creative voice. Students will be guided through each project with the assumption that they may have no experience with these materials and techniques. Through studio projects, demonstrations, slide presentations, and critiques, students will gain the skills and confidence to express themselves creatively using these powerful printmaking techniques. 

Etching & Monoprinting  (6114) - Formerly Printmaking - Intaglio & Relief

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

Etchings are created by drawing lines into a metal or plastic plate. Artists then rub ink into incised lines and run the plate through a printing press with paper on top to make a print. In this class students will learn how to translate images from photographic reference and from their imaginations into the language of intaglio printing while learning to use the printing press. The monoprint is a form of printmaking where the image can only be made once, unlike most printmaking which allows for multiple originals. The beauty of monoprinting lies in its spontaneity and its allowance for combinations of printmaking, painting and drawing media. Working from project prompts that build in ambition and complexity, students will be encouraged to experiment and develop their creative voice. Students will be guided through each project with the assumption that they may have no experience with these materials and techniques. Through studio projects, demonstrations, slide presentations, and critiques, students will gain the skills and confidence to express themselves creatively using these powerful printmaking techniques. 

Abstract Sculpture (6120)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

This course explores modes of abstraction while introducing students to various concepts, methods, and materials specific to three-dimensional art. Students will focus on the evolution of abstraction in three dimensions by learning about the traditions of both non-western and 20th century modernist sculpture. Concepts covered include mass, void, organic form, geometric form, shape, plane, balance, movement, volume, rhythm, and dynamism. Some of the sculptural methods taught will include subtractive, additive, assemblage, and the use of armatures. Students will use some of the following materials: wire, plaster, cardboard, clay and found objects. They will be expected to actively discuss their own work and the work of their peers during class critiques and discussions.  

Figurative Sculpture (6121)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12

In this course, students will learn about the methods and concepts of sculpture stemming from the human figure.  Students will be introduced to the main sculptural methods including subtractive, additive and armatures. The concepts covered will include form, balance, shape, plane, proportion, movement, texture, volume, rhythm, mass & void. Students may use the following materials: clay, glaze, plaster, wire, wood, cardboard, and armatures. Students will be introduced to key sculptors from the past and present, and gain an understanding of the styles and periods they represent. They will learn to create expressive figures and build a strong portfolio of work. Students will learn to think critically about their work and that of their peers through active participation in class critiques. Students will learn about the role of sculpture in history, as well as analyzing the influences of public figurative sculpture in society today.

Yearbook Production (550)

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: None. Open to students in grades 10-12                                          

In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of photography and graphic design as they document events during the school year and ultimately produce the ARHS yearbook. Students will use digital cameras to document school events, and learn various aspects of yearbook production such as layout and page design.  Students will be responsible for multiple aspects of yearbook design, including theme development, design and formatting of pages, photography or creation of titles and artwork. Students can also take charge of the production of one or more sections of the book, including student life, events, performing arts, seniors, faculty, clubs, sports, advertising pages, the cover, table of contents and other pages. Students must be able to stay organized, work independently and with peers, critique and edit their own work and the work of others, and meet authentic deadlines. Assignments will be within the school and sometimes extend into the community.  Students who have taken Computer Graphics or Digital Photography are encouraged to enroll. Unlike most courses, this course is eligible to be taken multiple times during the school year.