ART621A

This course builds upon the skills, concepts, media, techniques, ideas, and experiences developed in ART501A. Students are expected to develop and demonstrate growth in their proficiency of skills; use of artistic concepts; exploration of media and techniques; gathering of information and knowledge; reflecting historical and cultural awareness; divergent thinking when problem-solving; support for the values and principles of sustainability in our world; and communication of ideas, thoughts, feelings, and inspirations. Students will reflect on and share how the above is combined in their artwork to create and express a strong visual personal statement/message. Students will critically view a comparative study of two artworks using persuasive argument skills. They will examine art and artists of the modern and contemporary art movements in various cultures, and apply this knowledge to their artwork and writings.

In the first half of the semester, students will be expected to use their artistic statement and artwork as a guide to select an artist/culture/artistic style to research for an inquiry-based project. Students are expected to present their research in both visual and written form. In the second half of the semester, students are expected to create a community-based project that develops a close relationship between investigation and a purposeful, creative process in their artwork and writings. The community-based project will encourage students to understand themselves and their relationship to each other and the wider community. Both the inquiry-based project and the community-based project encourage a respect for cultural and aesthetic differences, and promote creative thinking and problem solving.

Students will be expected to exhibit and present a body of three artworks that supports their exploration, research, and experience from the following:

● the development of their artistic thought and voice;

● an inquiry-based project; and

● a community-based learning project.

The ART621A course has a strong emphasis on self-criticism and working independently. Students will continue to create, collect, record, explore, and reflect in their workbook and portfolio on a regular basis. Students will be expected to reassess their artist statement periodically throughout the semester and add, delete, and modify to represent their way of thinking, doing, and expressing.

Prerequisite: ART501A or permission from the teacher (based on level of skill and knowledge)