Visual Arts

The Visual Arts are offered to all Bloomfield students as an elective meeting daily at the high school level. The program offers a variety of media options, an art history perspective, and connections to literature, history, and culture throughout the ages. All curricula are aligned to the National Core Art Standards and the New Jersey Arts Standards.

Exhibition Opportunities:

All high school art students have the experience of a student exhibit through their time with us. There are two gallery showings (January and May) where we showcase the work of the students, sometimes including other disciplines and departments in the exhibition when possible.

BHS Course Descriptions: Year 1 (Graduation Requirement Fulfillment)

Foundations of Art (9-12) 5 CR

Foundations Of Art is the introductory course in fine arts. Students are expected to develop skills with a variety of materials and to become aware of basic elements and principles that are used in the design: line, form, shape, space, texture, value color, and balance. Care of tools, materials, work, and space is emphasized in class.

Computer Art

(9-12) 5 CR

It is recommended that students take Foundations Of Art prior to the Computer Art class, but students with experience in the art may elect to begin in this class. This course utilizes software to investigate and explore artistic expression in the digital medium. This curriculum provides instruction in computer use and the Adobe Suite.

Art in Photography (9-12) 5 CR

Art In Photography requires that students have a 35 mm single reflex manually operated camera in order to complete assignments for the course. Students will gain a working knowledge of composition, lighting, developing and printing black & white and color photographs. Research in advertising and photography is expected. Students art required to take photographs outside of the classroom.

BHS Course Descriptions: Year 2

Art 2: Sculpture

(10-12) 5 CR

Prerequisite: Foundations of Art with "C"

Art 2: Sculpture is offered to those students who wish to concentrate on sculpture. Students explore art as a three-dimensional form using various media including plaster and clay. Students are also expected to research historical and current applications of sculpture as an art medium.

Art 2: Drawing & Painting

(10-12) 5 CR

Prerequisite: Foundations of Art with "C"

Art 2: Drawing and Painting is a second-year course for those students who wish to more seriously concentrate on drawing and painting. Students will explore the elements of various artistic movements and styles, as well as the disciplines of representative and abstract drawing. Students are expected to use a pen, pencil, brush, and other various tools and media to create work in the class.

Art 2: Printmaking

(10-12) 5 CR.

Prerequisite: Foundations Of Art with "C"

Art 2: Printmaking is a second-year course for those students interested in exploring printmaking and bookmaking techniques. Students will explore various types of printmaking and how print functions within cultures. Media explored will include linoleum prints, etching, lithography, and silk screening. Bookmaking formats will include sewn single and multiple signature bindings, Japanese bindings, folded bindings, decorative spine book structures, and altered books.

Advanced Computer Art

(10-12) 5 CR

Prerequisite: Computer Art with "C"

Advanced Computer Art is the second year component of applied computer software in art. Enrollment is based on achievement in the first year, and teacher recommendation to continue. Students are expected to continue the exploration and application of software to produce aesthetic work from the computer.

Course Descriptions: Year 3

Art 3: Sculpture

(11-12) 5 CR

Prerequisite: Art 2: Sculpture with "C"

Art 3: Sculpture is offered to the advanced student in sculpture who wishes to concentrate on this discipline. Students are required to develop work through research design and application of different materials with emphasis on advanced work, long-term projects, and more independence to explore 3-D design.

Art 3: Anatomy

(11-12) 5 CR

Prerequisite: Art 2: Drawing and Painting with "C"

Art 3: Anatomy is the third year of art for students who are interested in in-depth art-making. The human structure and musculature are studied and rendered through various methods of drawing and painting. A historical retrospective of anatomical drawings and paintings provides the basis for student development of advanced, long-term projects.

Advanced Computer Art 3 (11-12) 5 CR

Prerequisite: Advanced Computer Art with "C"

Advanced Computer Art 3 is designed for the student who wishes to continue the program, and more than likely will major in a post-secondary program. This course is offered concurrently with existing computer art courses. Students are expected to operate on an individual basis, utilizing an independent study practice.

Course Descriptions: Year 4

Art 4:Portfolio (12) 5 CR

Prerequisite: Art 3: Anatomy with "C"

Art 4: Portfolio meets concurrently with Art 3: Anatomy and provides an opportunity for seniors to produce and develop a portfolio for submission as part of the college application process. Students are expected to produce work that demonstrates a high degree of style and proficiency in the art. Students are expected to work independently, creatively, and seriously.

Art 4: Sculpture (12) 5 CR

Prerequisite: Art 3: Sculpture with "C"

Art 4: Sculpture is offered to the advanced student in sculpture who wishes to concentrate on this medium. The class will be offered concurrently with Sculpture 3. Students will operate on a more individualized basis to set personal goals and project parameters.

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