Art Grade 12

AP Studio Art (12): 

Prerequisite: Students must submit a portfolio of work to be reviewed for acceptance into AP Studio Art. It is required that a student have a B average or better in an upper-level art class, like Drawing II, and receive written approval from the art teacher.

The Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art Program is a college-level studio art course. To be eligible to take AP Studio Art, students must pass a portfolio review and have earned a B average or better in an upper-level art class. AP Studio Art students will experience an independent, fast-paced, creative and rigorous art-making environment to work toward the submission of a college-level portfolio for evaluation. A qualifying portfolio score can earn college credit and/or advanced placement, depending on the specific requirements of the college/university. The AP Studio Art portfolio exam contains two sections: the “Sustained Investigation” section requires an inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision; the “Selected Works” section is expected to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. For both sections of the portfolio, students are expected to share information in writing about their work. AP Studio Art students will need to complete at least one portfolio-level piece per week throughout two trimesters. Completed artwork must reflect advanced levels of craftsmanship and creativity while also emphasizing research, experimentation, discovery, inventive thinking, critical analysis and problem-solving. More information about the AP Studio Art portfolio exam can be found at collegeboard.org. 

This course will have many hours of work outside of class each week, including occasional Saturday studio hours and required summer homework.

Art Fundamentals (9-12): Art Fundamentals is the prerequisite needed in order to take Drawing I and/or Painting I.  Students will be introduced to the basics of visual art and will create original two-dimensional artworks that use the elements and principles of art and design.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement. 

Art History (10-12): Art History examines major periods, themes, and forms of art history and visual literacy in the Western and non-Western world. Although this is an academic course, some art making will occur. Coursework includes art criticism, aesthetic perceptions, cultural and religious styles, and trends. Students will be expected to read, write and analyze independently and in groups. Students must also participate in class discussions and research-based presentations at a rigorous pace that covers the first known cave paintings to modern day art.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement.

Ceramics I (10-12): 

Prerequisite: It is required that a student have a B average in Sculpture and have written approval from the art teacher.

Ceramics I is a studio-oriented environment that focuses on the functional and decorative aspects of the ceramic arts.  Students will be required to keep a sketchbook and create works based on hand-built and wheel thrown construction.  Ceramic projects will be historically and culturally referenced in order for the students to gain an understanding of ceramics’ relationship to the Arts throughout history.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement. 

**A $15 course fee, per student, will be collected to offset the high cost of materials used for this course.

Ceramics II (11-12): 

Prerequisite: It is required that a student have a B average in Ceramics I and receive written approval from the art teacher 

Ceramics II is a studio-oriented class that focuses on exposure to the functional and non-functional aspects of ceramic arts.  Students will be required to keep a sketchbook and create works based on pinching, coil, slab and hand-building construction as well as wheel-thrown techniques.  Projects will be large-scale and technically challenging.  Works will be historically and culturally referenced in order for the student to gain an understanding of history and its relationship to the Arts.  Students will also be exposed to loading a kiln and the firing process.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement. 

**A $15 course fee, per student, will be collected to offset the high cost of materials used for this course.

Ceramics III (12): 

Prerequisite:  It is required that a student have a B average in Ceramics II and receive written approval from the art teacher.

Ceramics III is a studio-oriented class that focuses on exposure to the functional and non-functional aspects of ceramic arts.  Students will be required to keep a sketchbook and create works based on pinching, coil, slab, and hand-building construction as well as wheel-thrown techniques.  Students will focus on large-scale, innovative projects and perfecting craftsmanship.  Works will be historically and culturally referenced in order for the student to gain an understanding of history and its relationship to the Arts.  Students will also be expected to help load kilns and with the firing process.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement.

**A $15 course fee, per student, will be collected to offset the high cost of materials used for this course.

Computer Graphic Design (9-12): 

*Computer Graphic Design is the prerequisite for Computer Graphic Design II.  

Computer Graphic Design is an introductory computer based art course that focuses on basic visual communication.  The class will cover graphic design skills ranging from computer-imaging software (Photoshop, Illustrator and In-Design), terminology, and design composition.  It is recommended that you take Graphic Productions (see Tech Ed description) before or after to enhance your understanding of the graphic world.  Projects may include: newsletters, notebooks covers, photomontages, photo morphs, photo manipulation, alteration and adjusting, and word designs.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement.

Computer Graphic Design II (10-12): 

Prerequisite: It is required that a student have a B average in Computer Graphic Design and receive written approval from the art teacher.

Computer Graphic Design II will explore the principles of grid theory, text and display typography, page layout, and type and image integration as they relate to a range of publication designs as the visual representation of language.  Creative problem-solving experiences focus on the selection, generation and use of imagery and how Photoshop will be explored as students begin to work towards visual themes.  Design process skills are enhanced as students research and develop storyboard ideas that are applied to product designs for the real world.  Students will have the ability to participate in a program that allows them to get an Adobe Photoshop Certificate.  Projects may include logo design, business card and letterhead, product design, poster design, typography, advertising, self-portrait, photo manipulation and collage.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement.

Creating with Fibers (9-12): 

*Creating with Fibers is the prerequisite for Creating with Fibers II. 

Students will explore the techniques involved in both warp and weft-faced weavings through the creation of original fiber art works and the study of non-Western art and culture.  Projects may include macramé, tie-dying, basket weaving, bead weaving, cardboard, floor, and inkle loom weaving.  Students may be asked to purchase some additional materials. 

Participation in an art show is a course requirement.

Creating with Fibers II (10-12): 

Prerequisite: It is required that a student have a B average in Creating with Fibers and receive written approval from the art teacher.

Students will explore advanced fiber arts through the creation of original, self-guided projects.  Students will be responsible for researching, planning and learning about fiber arts products and materials independently, while completing paperwork to manage their designs and plans.  In this course, the teacher is simply the facilitator.  In addition to project making, students will also explore the history of fiber arts through in-depth analysis of non-Western cultures and crafts.  Art careers and a focus on budget management will be explored through independent research and field experiences.  Students may have to purchase some additional materials.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement. 

Drawing I (10-12): 

Prerequisite: It is required that a student maintain a B average in Art Fundamentals and receive written approval from the art teacher.

Drawing I is designed for students who wish to develop and explore their artistic skills, talents, and creativity.  Outside assignments are an integral part of the class as a high quality of work is stressed. Students will experience a variety of drawing media in relation to the elements and principles of art.  Students will begin to develop an art portfolio.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement. 

Drawing II (11-12): 

Prerequisite: It is required that a student have a B average in Drawing I and receive written approval from the art teacher.

Drawing II will continue to develop drawing skills through the investigation of various drawing media.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement. 

Drawing III (12): 

Prerequisite: It is required that the student maintain a B average in Drawing II and receive written approval from the art teacher.

Students will deepen their ability to apply visual art concepts through design, creation, and critique.   Students will apply their personal style by investigating a variety of drawing media.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement.

Painting I (10-12): 

Prerequisite: It is required that a student maintain a B average in Art Fundamentals and receive written approval from the art teacher.

Painting I is designed for students who wish to develop and explore their artistic skills, talents, and creativity.  Outside assignments are an integral part of the class as a high quality of work is stressed.  Students will experience a variety of painting media in relation to the elements and principles of art.  Students will begin to develop an art portfolio.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement. 

Painting II (11-12): 

Prerequisite: It is required that a student maintain a B average in Painting I and receive written approval from the art teacher.

Painting II will continue to develop painting skills through the investigation of various painting media.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement. 

Painting III (12): 

Prerequisite: It is required that a student maintain a B average in Painting II and receive written approval from the art teacher.

Students will deepen their ability to apply visual art concepts through design, creation, and critique.  Students will apply their personal style by investigating a variety of painting media.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement. 

Sculpture (9-12): 

*Sculpture is the prerequisite for Ceramics I.  

Sculpture students will be introduced to a variety of materials and techniques in the creation of 3-dimensional sculpture.  The areas of carving, mold making and casting, modeling and the process of construction will be explored.  Possible materials to be used are copper, plaster, paper, papier-mache, balsa foam, wire and recycled materials.  

Participation in an art show is a course requirement.