Visual Arts

AP Studio Art Options

Jones offers one section (class period) of AP Art, but students may choose their concentration (see below). Students may only take one of the three options per year as all of the three meet during the same class period. 

AP Studio Art (Drawing Portfolio) 

Course Number: 916101A

Prerequisites: Completion of at least 2 visual arts classes. It is strongly encouraged for AP Drawing students to have completed or concurrently take Mixed Media. Students who have not completed two prior visual art classes may request department approval.   Approval will require the submission of an art portfolio and/or interview.

Credits: 1

AP Studio Art is an advanced visual arts course for independently motivated students synthesizing materials, techniques, processes, concepts, and critiques to develop the skills of a lifelong maker and produce an exemplary portfolio of artwork. Students in AP Drawing will submit a portfolio of 24 digital images that demonstrate a range of approaches (Breadth) as well as a sustained investigation of a theme (Concentration), exploring drawing issues including line quality, rendering of form, composition, surface manipulation, and mark-making through drawing, painting, and mixed media. AP Art students are expected to spend a significant amount of time outside of class for written assignments, conceptual research, media exploration, technical development, and the successful execution of individually-directed artworks. The rigor of the class is aligned with the AP Studio Art course guidelines as specified by the College Board, as well as to prepare students for college applications, scholarship opportunities, and personal artistic goals.

AP STUDIO ART (2D DESIGN PORTFOLIO)

Course Number: 905101A

Prerequisites: Completion of at least 2 visual arts classes. It is strongly encouraged for AP 2D Design students to have completed or concurrently take Mixed Media or Digital Imaging II.  Students who have not completed two prior visual art classes may request department approval.   Approval will require the submission of an art portfolio and/or interview.               

Credits: 1

AP Studio Art is an advanced visual arts course for independently motivated students synthesizing materials, techniques, processes, concepts, and critiques to develop the skills of a lifelong maker and produce an exemplary portfolio of artwork. Students in AP 2D Design will submit a portfolio of 24 digital images that demonstrate a range of approaches (Breadth) as well as a sustained investigation of a theme (Concentration), exploring two-dimensional media of their choice: graphic design, digital imaging, photography, printmaking, collage, fashion design, fashion illustration, textiles, drawing, and painting. AP Art students are expected to spend a significant amount of time outside of class for written assignments, conceptual research, media exploration, technical development, and the successful execution of individually-directed artworks. The rigor of the class is aligned with the AP Studio Art course guidelines as specified by the College Board, as well as to prepare students for college applications, scholarship opportunities, and personal artistic goals.

AP STUDIO ART (3D DESIGN PORTFOLIO)

Course Number: 905201A

Prerequisites: Completion of at least 2 visual arts classes. It is strongly encouraged for AP 3D Design students to have completed or concurrently take Sculpture II.  Students who have not completed two prior visual art classes may request department approval.   Approval will require the submission of an art portfolio and/or interview.

Credits: 1

AP Studio Art is an advanced visual arts course for independently motivated students synthesizing materials, techniques, processes, concepts, and critiques to develop the skills of a lifelong maker and produce an exemplary portfolio of artwork. Students in AP 3D Design will submit a portfolio of 28 digital images that demonstrate a range of approaches (Breadth) as well as a sustained investigation of a theme (Concentration), exploring three-dimensional media of their choice: sculpture, assemblage, installation, ceramics, glass work, architectural models, fibers, etc.  AP Art students are expected to spend a significant amount of time outside of class for written assignments, conceptual research, media exploration, technical development, and the successful execution of individually-directed artworks. The rigor of the class is aligned with the AP Studio Art course guidelines as specified by the College Board, as well as to prepare students for college applications, scholarship opportunities, and personal artistic goals.

Honors Art A.C.E.S (Acceptance, Caring, Empowerment.)

Course Number: 918201H

Prerequisites: Introductory art class (sculpture, art , digital imaging) or Department approval; Sophomore/Junior/Senior standing 

Credits: 1

Art A.C.E.S is all about creating community between students at Jones with our diverse learner program. Our aim is to break down barriers by creating an inclusive and accessible art making community. Students will pair up with a "buddy" to collaborate together throughout the year by developing friendship, basic art skills, and various art projects. In addition, students will participate in the course by teaching accessible art lessons both individually and in groups that incorporate your interests. Projects will consist of developing skills in painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, and many more!  Activities will be modified to bring everyone in the class together regardless of skill; artistic skill is not required to succeed in this class.  To be a buddy, you need to be flexible, energetic, and willing to give care and patience to those around you.  The focus is on encouraging our diverse learners to come out of their shells and dive into the wonderful world of art.  If you want to make a difference in your school community and the life of another, this is the class for you.  This course can fulfill a Fine Arts required credit.

Honors Digital Imaging I:

Course Number: 919101H

Prerequisites: n/a

Credits: 1

Our current media landscape is a stream of digital images, advertisements, commercials, and content with a specific point of view. Digital Imaging 1 empowers students to tell their own stories and actively participate in our increasingly electronic culture. Students tell their stories with DSLR photography, photoshop, simple animation, video production, and basic 3D modeling. All materials except for an inexpensive SD card are provided in class, so attendance and active participation in class is essential to getting your projects completed to a level you will be proud of. This class serves as a prerequisite for Digital Imaging II.  Digital Imaging does not count as "Art I".  Please see the "Drawing & Painting" section for "Art I". 

Digital Imaging II: 

Course Number: 919201H

Prerequisites: Digital Imaging I or Prior Photography/Photoshop Experience   

Credits: 1

Video and Animation:  Learn animation, cinematography, green screen, motion design, special effects, and 3D modeling. Students build on skills from Digital I like layers, photoshop, video editing, and make those things come to life with AfterEffects! All you need for this class is a 64 GB SD card to save your footage and editing files. 

Advanced Photography: 

Course Number: 909201H

Prerequisites: Digital Imaging I

Credits: 1    

This course is designed for students who want to take their photography to the next level! After taking Digital Imaging I, students will continue to build technical and design skills, and most importantly will express their unique ideas through photography. Students will explore contemporary themes through a variety of photography-based techniques, both in-camera and on the computer. By the end of the year, students will build a portfolio of work to be shared online and in an exhibition in the Jones Gallery. When taking photos outside of class time, students are allowed to check out equipment, or use their own digital camera (not required) or cellphone. All you need for this class is a 32 GB SD card to save your files. 

Digital Imaging III and IV: 

Course Number: #919301H & 919401H

Prerequisites: Students must complete Digital Imaging II (they can choose to skip Digital III)

Credits: 1                   

**Both classes will likely meet during the same period**

Digital III Content Creator: Students in this class make video game play-throughs, vlogs, product reviews, short sketch comedies, animations, or any format of content they prefer. Continue building skills in editing, animation, storytelling, and reaching an audience. All students need for this class is a 128 GB SD card to store footage and editing files. 

Digital IV Digital Cinema:

Students in this class will master advanced skills in cinematic video production including animation, cinematography and editing. Before the year is over, each student is encouraged to submit at least one video they produced to a high school film festival. Additionally, students will create a professional video reel that they can use to apply for internships, jobs, and film schools. Students in this class are encouraged to buy a 256 GB SD Card to store footage and files. 

Honors Art I: 

Course Number: 915101H

Prerequisites: n/a

Credits: 1                

This introductory visual art course offers students a variety of fun and challenging art experiences. Art 1 students have the opportunity to experiment with a wide array of media and techniques throughout the school year, such as drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, performance art, and more. This course is not simply about learning to copy a particular style, or to draw “realistically” (although students will learn technical skills to help them express their ideas). Rather, students will be guided to explore contemporary themes in visual culture, making meaningful connections between topics in personal and global contexts. Students will learn to critically analyze visual images, and create original works of art. The majority of the work is done in class, where you have access to art materials, so attendance and active participation are essential to your success in Art 1. The only required material is a sketchbook.

This class is a prerequisite for Mixed Media.

Honors Mixed Media:

Course Number: 912131H

Prerequisites: Art I

Credits: 1                  

This class is for advanced art students who have a specific interest in contemporary art making and practices and who have mastered the skills in the introductory Drawing, Painting & Sculpture class. Students in Honors Mixed Media are expected to be extremely motivated and have a rigorous work ethic in order to prepare them for AP Studio Art or post-secondary education in the arts. Honors Mixed Media provides students an opportunity in art to build upon prior knowledge and further develop art making techniques. Various contemporary and traditional methods are explored in order for students to learn how to manipulate and combine different mediums. Mediums used range from traditional materials to unconventional arts materials the artist chooses to investigate in order to communicate their ideas. Students will investigate themes, study artists and learn to visually convey their ideas through the choice of materials, processes and techniques. This course demands a lot from its students, as creative critical thinkers and developing artists. Mastery of basic drawing techniques is expected and required.

Honors Studio Sculpture I 

Course Number: 904101H

Prerequisites: n/a

Credits: 1                                

Ceramics and Sculptural Practices: Sculpture I is an introductory level visual arts class that explores three-dimensional forms with an emphasis on traditional and contemporary practices in sculpture. Students will engage with the history of sculpture as well as a diverse range of contemporary artists through materials, techniques, processes, concepts, and critiques. Creative and critical thinking skills will be developed through the conceptualization, design, and construction of sculptural forms. The course structure begins by establishing a foundation of technical, conceptual, and critical thinking skills and works to use those skills to develop ideas into realized 3-D artworks and develop a proficiency in visual arts academic language. As students develop their sculptural skills they will have opportunities for independently-guided experimentation with unconventional materials that successfully represent the individual’s artistic vision.Different techniques include: ceramics, fiber, paper-mache, wire, assemblage, and casting.

Honors Studio Sculpture II

Course Number: 904201H

Prerequisites: Sculpture I 

Credits: 1                 

Advanced Spatial and Material Studies: Sculpture II is an advanced visual arts course for students who have successfully completed Sculpture I and wish to further engage with contemporary practices of sculpture. Students will be challenged in a range of sculptural materials and methods including clay, paper, wire, carving, moldmaking and casting, found objects, site-specific installation, etc. The emphasis of the course is the development of personal artistic vision that culminates with a conceptually unified body of work.