Visual Arts

FOUNDATION ART A & B (Semester-based selections available)

9, 10, 11, 12

0.5 credits per semester

Foundation Art is a dynamic and comprehensive course designed to provide students with a strong artistic foundation. The semester-based programs offer hands-on project-based learning in both first and second-semester courses. 

FOUNDATION ART A

In the first semester, students will explore the Elements & Principles of Design, Color Theory and Linear Perspective.  Students learn and employ a variety of tools, materials and processes to develop individual artistic exploration, critical thinking, and build their individual artistic voice and creative vision. This semester sets the groundwork for a deeper exploration of artistic concepts in the second semester and other upper level courses.

FOUNDATION ART B

Building on the skills acquired in the first semester, the second semester delves into more advanced application of visual art concepts. Students will engage in in-depth projects that encourage experimentation with various techniques, materials and additional processes. Themes such as personal expression, cultural influences, and contemporary art practices will be explored. This semester aims to further develop students' artistic voices, encouraging them to communicate ideas and emotions through their artwork.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY  

9, 10, 11, 12

0.5 credits per semester

This course introduces students to the exploration and application of digital photography processes including, but not limited to: digital camera use, methods of presentation, curating work to reach a broad audience, Adobe Photoshop, etc.  Course goals will include learning and using technical skills, developing visual literacy, understanding the physical and expressive possibilities of various digital photography concepts. Students will learn foundational photography concepts and how to artistically manipulate images through digital editing. Students shoot photographs with digital cameras and edit imagery using Photoshop and Lightroom. Students shoot pictures inside as well as outside of class with their own camera and/or one of the school’s. DSLR Canon cameras are available to students enrolled in class to borrow daily. 

DRAWING AND PAINTING A & B (Semester-based selections available)

10, 11, 12

0.5 credits per semester

Drawing and Painting A & B, students have the opportunity to use a wide variety of drawing and painting mediums to make individual artworks. Students learn techniques and approaches to using materials creatively through demonstrations and viewing artwork of acclaimed artists. Graphite, pastels, charcoal, pen & ink; gouache, oil and acrylic paint are among the many different materials students will use in this studio course.  The course may be repeated.

DRAWING AND PAINTING A - one semester (½ year) course offered the first semester.  

Students in Drawing and Painting A will be introduced to a variety of drawing and painting mediums many of which are not a part of the Foundation Art experience (or, are made for higher level use). For example, Oil, gouache, acrylics and tubed watercolors; watercolor pencils, colored pencils, micron pens, pastels, white & black charcoal, graphite and more!

DRAWING AND PAINTING B -one semester (½ year) course offered the second semester.  

Students in Drawing and Painting B will be introduced to an additional variety of drawing and painting mediums many of which are not a part of the Foundation Art experience (or, are made for higher level use). For example, Oil, gouache, acrylics and tubed watercolors; watercolor pencils, colored pencils, micro pens, pastels, white & black charcoal, graphite and more! 

GONE BOARDING

11, 12

0.5 credit

Gone Boarding is an experiential, project-based course that will provide powerful contexts and opportunities for students to learn and develop new skills in the areas of independent and collaborative work in design, engineering, fabrication and visual arts. Students will actively engage in manipulating a variety of industry standard hand-held tools and larger power tools used to cut, shape, form, laminate, assemble and apply final finishes as they create a variety of action-sport objects; potentially including skateboards, longboards, snowboards, surfboards/stand-up paddleboards. Through this course, students will participate in the product development process as well as develop an approach to lifelong wellness. Students will take an active lead-role (independently and in groups) in each phase of the design, fabrication and finish of each project. The fabricated boards may be customized to meet the needs of the student groups. Boards may be individually purchased for the cost of materials, at the beginning of each project. Limit of 20 students. If the number of requests exceed the number of available spots, students will be chosen via a lottery.  Gone Boarding may be repeated.

PHOTOGRAPHY A & B 

10, 11, 12

0.5 credits per semester

This course introduces students to the exploration and application of a variety of traditional and contemporary analog photography tools, materials and processes including, but not limited to: 35mm camera operation, analog film chemistry & processing, traditional darkroom printmaking and enlargement, methods of presentation, curating work to reach a broad audience, Photoshop for post-production, etc.  Course goals will include learning and using technical skills, developing visual literacy, understanding the physical and expressive possibilities of various traditional analog photography materials and safe use of tools for various techniques and processes throughout the class. 

PHOTOGRAPHY A - one semester course offered first semester. 

Analog Photography A introduces the skills and concepts used in a traditional Analog Photographic studio.  The students will explore, develop and apply traditional photographic techniques and methods.  Course goals will include learning and using basic and advanced technical skills, developing visual literacy, understanding the physical and expressive possibilities of various traditional and non-traditional photographic materials, and safe use of chemistry and tools for various techniques used throughout the class. 

PHOTOGRAPHY B - a one-semester course offered second semester. 

Analog Photography B builds upon the skills and concepts developed in Analog Photography A.  Students must take Photography A to be enrolled in Photography B. The students will continue to explore, develop and apply traditional photographic techniques and methods, while learning and applying additional alternative processes in the traditional darkroom and studio.  Course goals will include learning and using basic and advanced technical skills, developing visual literacy, understanding the physical and expressive possibilities of various traditional and non-traditional photographic materials, and safe use of chemistry and tools for various techniques used throughout the class. 

SCULPTURE & CERAMICS A & B (Semester-based selections available)

10, 11, 12

0.5 credits per semester

Sculpture and Ceramics is a course designed to provide students with a strong three-dimensional design experience.  The semester-based programs offer a variety of hands-on learning experiences.  Students may choose to start with the first semester and progress to the second, or enter directly into the second semester.

These courses introduce students to 3-D design using a variety of traditional and contemporary sculpture tools, materials and processes including, but not limited to: clay (hand-construction and wheel-thrown forms), plaster, wood, metals, foam-core, paper, Bristol, cardboard, found objects, etc.  The students will explore, develop and apply additive, subtractive, modeling and assemblage methods of working throughout the classes. Course goals will include learning and applying technical skills, developing visual literacy, understanding the physical and expressive possibilities of various traditional sculptural materials and safe use of tools for various techniques and processes throughout the class. Students may choose to start with the first semester and progress to the second, or enter directly into the second semester. The course may be repeated.

SCULPTURE & CERAMICS A - one semester course offered the first semester. 

In Sculpture & Ceramics A students are introduced to concepts of hand-constructed forms, wheel-thrown forms and other basic sculptural methods. Students learn to use a variety of tools, sculptural materials and various processes to develop individual artistic exploration, visual literacy, critical thinking, and apply their growing knowledge, developing artistic voice and creative vision.  

SCULPTURE & CERAMICS B - one semester course offered the second semester. 

Sculpture & Ceramics B builds upon the skills and concepts developed in Sculpture & Ceramics A.  Sculpture & Ceramics students will continue to explore, develop and apply additive, subtractive, modeling and assemblage methods of working throughout the class, in a variety of media.  Course goals will include learning and applying technical skills, developing visual literacy, understanding the physical and expressive possibilities of various traditional and non-traditional sculptural materials, and safe use of tools for various techniques used throughout the class. All students in Sculpture & Ceramics B will continue to be introduced to a variety of three-dimensional tools, materials, and processes through projects that require creative problem solving while promoting personal growth and creative expression.

IB VISUAL ARTS SL/HL 

11, 12 (two year program)

1.0 credit per year

The IB Visual Arts Standard Level and Higher Level courses are two-year studio-based experiences that emphasize a well-documented creative process which includes in-depth research, analysis, and experimentation as well as the final production and exhibition of both 2-D and 3-D artworks.  Willingness to invest significant time performing research that informs production, experimentation with a variety of different tools, materials and processes, and building a comprehensive Visual Art Journal, as well as a process portfolio is vital for success in the IB program.  Final artworks that are part of a student-curated exhibit will demonstrate exceptional content, creativity, craftsmanship and communicate the coherent ideas and perspectives of the individual artist.  Due to the time requirements of the course, the deadlines for the examinations and the scope of study; self/time-management skills, the ability to work independently, open-minded pursuits, as well as a variety of cultural and artistic interests are imperative. Students will have the opportunity to deeply examine specific disciplines and areas of interest, but will also be required to explore other creative media and expressive forms as well.  Ambition, inquiry and specific documentation of all phases of the creative process will become routine and be recorded on a daily basis in the Visual Art Journal created by each IB student.  The IB student will develop skills in the analysis, interpretation and comparisons of artworks generated from various cultures, historical and social contexts and relate these findings to their own work and process.  Along with the documentation of both resolved and unresolved work contained within the Visual Arts Journal, IB students are expected to be articulate in verbal and non-verbal communication of their individual interests and processes that informed the creation of the final works contained in their portfolio and showcased in their individual exhibit.  The IB Visual Art students will participate in an enriching and productive experience that leads to an appreciation and connection to the role visual arts play in society and culture in a variety of contexts.

PORTFOLIO PREP.

11,12

0.5 credits per semester

Portfolio Prep is offered to students who are seriously interested in independent student-driven investigative, creative and artistic processes.  Students will concentrate on planning, preparing and executing an individual portfolio or series of artworks that showcase their investigation of concepts, idea development and project resolution.  Students’ work within the studio will include authentic research, media exploration, original idea development and production; as well as evaluation and analysis of student generated work, and significant historical and contemporary artists and their work.