Visual Arts

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Additional supplies and/or supply fees may be required. Students develop skills in observation, problem solving, visual communication, manipulation of art media, self-expression, and critique. The student is responsible for paying a course fee: fees are determined at the campus level. Additional supplies and/or supply fees may be required. Only one state credit may be earned from the following Art I courses: Art I DP or Art I S or Art I P or Art I DM.


    • Art I Drawing and Painting: (1 credit) Art I Drawing and Painting is a foundation course that uses 2D and 3D materials with an emphasis on drawing and painting. Students will explore the Elements of Art and apply the Principles of Design in planning, developing and creating original works of art. While tackling creative challenges, students will study techniques, contemporary artists and art history as they make cultural connections and explore realities, relationships, and ideas. Students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates an understanding of a variety of media and problem-solving skills. One full credit (2 sequential semesters) must be earned in Art I for entry into a Level II art course. • A student may only earn one Art I credit.


    • Art I Sculpture and Ceramics: (1 credit) Art I Sculpture and Ceramics is a foundation course that uses 3D and 2D materials with an emphasis on sculpture and ceramics. Students will explore the Elements of Art and apply the Principles of Design in planning, developing and creating original works of art. While tackling creative challenges, students will study techniques, contemporary artists and art history as they make cultural connections and explore realities, relationships, and ideas. Students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates an understanding of a variety of media and problem-solving skills. One full credit (2 sequential semesters) must be earned in Art I for entry into a Level II art course. • A student may only earn one Art I credit.


    • Art I Photography: (1 credit) Art I Photography is a foundation course with an emphasis on photographic media. Design elements and principles, history of art, art criticism as well as basic skills in drawing, color theory, and electronic media will be covered. Students will develop skills of observation, problem solving, and visual communication, manipulation of art media, and self-expression. One full credit (2 sequential semesters) must be earned in Art I for entry into a Level II art course. • A student may only earn one Art I credit. • Having a Digital SLR camera of their own is beneficial to students taking this class.


    • Art I Digital Art and Media: (1 credit) Art I Digital Art and Media is a foundation course that uses computers and other digital media along with 2D and 3D materials. Students will explore the Elements of Art and apply the Principles of Design in planning, developing and creating original works of art. While tackling creative challenges, students will study techniques, contemporary artists and art history as they make cultural connections and explore realities, relationships, and ideas. Students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates an understanding of a variety of media and problem-solving skills. Having a Digital SLR camera of their own is beneficial to students taking this class.


One full credit (2 sequential semesters) must be earned in Art I for entry into a Level II art course.

• A student may only earn one Art I credit.


    • Art II Drawing/Painting: (1 credit) This second-year art course provides students who have successfully completed an Art I course an opportunity to further develop their drawing and painting skills through the use of advanced concepts and processes. Development of a portfolio is required. • Prerequisite: Art I DP, Art I S, Art I P, or Art I DM


    • Art II Sculpture/Ceramics: (1 credit) This second-year art course provides students who have successfully completed an Art I course an opportunity to further develop their three-dimensional skills through the use of advanced concepts and processing in clay and a variety of other media. Development of a portfolio is required. • Prerequisite: Art I DP, Art I S, Art I P, or Art I DM


    • Art II Photography: (1 credit) This second-year art course focuses on techniques that will aid students in expressing their ideas. Students will work in color and black and white, with various camera types and formats, explore alternative photographic processes and digital media as well as working to further their own personal vision. Design principles, elements of art, history of art and art criticism learned in Photo I will be built upon in Photo II. Students will also build skills of critical thinking, problem solving, and aesthetics. Development of a portfolio is required. • Prerequisite: Art I DP, Art I S, Art I P, or Art I DM • Having a Digital SLR camera of their own is beneficial to students taking this class.


    • Art II Digital Art and Media: (1 credit) This second year art course focuses on creating art works that communicate visual ideas and concepts by incorporating the elements/principles of design and drawing skills into a digital format. Various design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and other software will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on creativity, originality, and problem-solving skills. • Prerequisite: Art I DP, Art I S, Art I P, or Art I DM • Having a Digital SLR camera of their own is beneficial to students taking this class.


    • Art II Design: (1 credit) This second-year art course provides students who have successfully completed an Art I course an opportunity to focus on creating art works that communicate visual ideas and concepts by incorporating the elements/principles of design through 2D and/ or 3D art mediums. Development of a portfolio is required. • Prerequisite: Art II DP, Art II S, Art II P, or Art II DM • Must be approved by teacher.


    • Art III Drawing/Painting: (1 credit) This third-year course provides an in-depth study of the concepts, techniques, and self-expression of drawing and painting on an advanced level. Completion of a cohesive portfolio is required. • Prerequisite: Art II Drawing/Painting


    • Art III Sculpture/Ceramics: (1 credit) This third-year course provides an in-depth study of the concepts, techniques, and self-expression of 3D artwork on an advanced level. Completion of a cohesive portfolio is required. • Prerequisite: Art II Sculpture


    • Art III Photography: (1 credit) This third-year course provides an in-depth study of the concepts, techniques, processes, and self-expression through photography on an advanced level. Completion of a cohesive portfolio is required. • Prerequisite: Art II Photography • Having a Digital SLR camera of their own is beneficial to students taking this class.


    • Art III Digital Art and Media: (1 credit) This third-year course provides an in-depth study of digital concepts, techniques, and self-expression on an advanced level. Completion of a cohesive portfolio is required. . • Prerequisite: Art II Digital Art and Media • Having a DIgial SLR camera of their own is beneficial to students taking this class.


    • Art III Design: (1 credit) This third-year course provides an in-depth study of the concepts, techniques, and self-expression of 2 D and/or 3D art work on an advanced level. Completion of a cohesive portfolio is required. • Prerequisite: Students must have completed the Level II Art course in the same series. • Must be approved by teacher.


    • Art IV Studio – Drawing/Painting, Sculpture/Ceramics, Photography, Digital Art and Media or Design: (1 credit) The experiences given and skills developed in the first three levels of art courses prepare students for in-depth study of special problems based on their previous credits. They will produce a body of artwork in their chosen area of art (drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, electronic media, photography, printmaking) and develop evaluative criteria for selecting artworks to include in a portfolio. Preparation of a portfolio is required. • Prerequisite: Students must have completed the Level III art course in the same series • Having a Digital SLR camera of their own is beneficial to students taking Digital Art Media or Photography classes.


ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART COURSES Students can take AP at either the Art III or Art IV Level.

These courses are designed to help students mature as artists and find their personal style and direction. Students will be continuously involved in the investigation of formal and conceptual issues. The student will work towards developing a strong cohesive portfolio that meets the AP requirements in quality, concentration, and breadth.

AP Art - Drawing AP

Art - 2D Design*

AP Art – Photography (see AP – Art 2D)*

AP Art – Digital Art and Media (see AP – Art 2D)*

AP Art - 3D Design

• Prerequisite: Juniors or seniors who have completed Art II course

• Additional supplies and/or supply fees may be required.

*Students may only take 1 of the starred AP courses.


      • AP Art – Drawing: (1 credit) The drawing portfolio course is designed to address a very broad interpretation of drawing issues. Painting, printmaking, abstract, and observational works are included in a drawing portfolio. This portfolio allows for a more specific course of study that readily parallels specialized drawing curriculum and programs in college and university art departments as well as in art schools. Works presented in the portfolio may have been produced in art classes and may cover a period longer than a single school year. Work presented in an Advanced Placement Drawing portfolio may not be included in other Advanced Placement portfolios at another time. The portfolio is submitted as both original pieces and as digital images of selected pieces that represent the student's best works and includes a written statement defining the student’s focus of concentration. • Prerequisite: Students must have completed a Level II course


      • AP Art – 2D Design: (1 credit) The Two-Dimensional Design Advanced Placement portfolio is intended to address a very broad interpretation of twodimensional design issues. This type of design involves purposeful decision-making about how to use the elements and principles of art in an integrative way. For this portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate proficiency in two-dimensional design using a variety of art forms. These could include, but are not limited to, photography, mixed media, digital art and media, painting, and printmaking. The portfolio is submitted as both original pieces and as digital images of selected pieces that represent the student’s best works and includes a written statement defining the student’s focus of concentration. • Prerequisite: Students must have completed a Level II course


      • AP Art – 3D Design: (1 credit) The 3D Design portfolio course is intended to address a very broad interpretation of sculptural issues in depth and space. Such elements and concepts can be articulated through additive, subtractive, and/or fabrication processes. A variety of approaches might include jewelry, traditional sculpture, architectural models, apparel, ceramics, fiber arts, or metal works. The portfolio is submitted as digital images of selected pieces that represent the student’s best works and includes a written statement defining the student’s focus of concentration. • Prerequisite: Students must have completed a Level II course


      • AP Art – Photography: (1 credit )(another 2D design option) The Two-Dimensional Design Advanced Placement portfolio is intended to address a very broad interpretation of two-dimensional design issues. This type of design involves purposeful decision-making about how to use the elements and principles of art in an integrative way. For this portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate proficiency in two-dimensional design using a variety of art forms. These could include, but are not limited to, photography, mixed media, digital art and media, painting, and printmaking. The portfolio is submitted as both original pieces and as digital images of selected pieces that represent the student’s best works and includes a written statement defining the student’s focus of concentration. . • Prerequisite: Students must have completed a Level II course • Having a Digital SLR camera of their own is beneficial to students taking this class.


      • AP Art – Digital Art and Media: (1 credit) (another 2D design option) The Two-Dimensional Design Advanced Placement portfolio is intended to address a very broad interpretation of two-dimensional design issues. This type of design involves purposeful decision-making about how to use the elements and principles of art in an integrative way. For this portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate proficiency in two-dimensional design using a variety of art forms. These could include, but are not limited to, photography, mixed media, digital art and media, painting, and printmaking. The portfolio is submitted as both original pieces and as digital images of selected pieces that represent the student’s best works and includes a written statement defining the student’s focus of concentration. • Prerequisite: Students must have completed a Level II course • Having a Digital SLR came


      • AP Art History : (1 credit) Students will explore and examine the form, function, content, and context surrounding various artworks and works of architecture from ancient to contemporary periods from a variety of cultures. Students are expected to prepare for the College Board examination through the course. • Juniors or seniors • A level-I Fine Arts credit is a required prerequisite.