VISUAL ART PHILOSOPHY
The intent of the Visual Arts Department is to develop observational awareness, conceptual thinking, technical skill, and aesthetic sensibility. The Visual Arts curriculum, accessible to all students, promotes creative problem solving through artistic process and personal expression. Evaluative assessments of artwork demonstrate formal compositional elements to encourage in-depth understanding and appreciation.
VISUAL ART OBJECTIVES
Students will observe, interpret, and record visual perceptions.
Students will solve problems by engaging memory and imagination in their work.
Students will develop technical mastery in a variety of media.
Students will evaluate and critique art in an appropriate visual arts vocabulary.
Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the role of artists throughout history.
COURSE PLACEMENT
All courses in the Visual Arts are College level with the exception of AP Art History, AP Studio Art and Studio Art Honors. All Visual Arts courses are sequentially structured to build on previous skill sets.
SEMESTER ELECTIVE COURSES
CERAMIC SCULPTURE I
Course # 825
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
Ceramic Sculpture I is an exploration of art in three dimensions. Students will experiment with different ceramic techniques, such as slab building, coil building, wheel throwing, glazing, and finishing to communicate creative ideas. Students will create both sculptural fine art and functional pottery to express themselves using clay.
CERAMIC SCULPTURE II
Course #828
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
Ceramic Sculpture II builds off of techniques and ideas explored in Ceramic Sculpture I. Students will refine handbuilding and wheel throwing skills and deepen understanding of clay as a medium while digging into deeper conceptual expression in sculptural and functional ceramic objects. Students will explore advanced finishing and glazing techniques to create a body of finished work.
Prerequisite: Ceramic Sculpture I.
CERAMIC SCULPTURE III
Course # 830
Grades 10-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
Ceramic Sculpture III builds off of techniques and ideas explored in Ceramic Sculpture I and II. Students will use previously cultivated handbuilding and wheel throwing skills to make work with an emphasis on personal expression. Students will explore advanced finishing and glazing techniques to create a cohesive body of finished work.
Prerequisite: Ceramic Sculpture I, Ceramic Sculpture II
DRAWING AND PAINTING
Course #842
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
The Drawing and Painting curriculum offers students broad exposure to a variety of two dimensional techniques in dry and wet media. Students will sharpen their observational skills through a series of compositional studies to render the illusion of form on a flat surface. Students will examine basic fundamentals of compositional design and consider the contribution of the art elements and principles to a piece of work. Drawing & Painting is one of the introductory courses in the Visual Arts Program and can serve as a prerequisite for the Art I course.
FOUNDATIONS OF ART
Course # 829
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
In this course, students will explore the foundations of visual art by using a variety of materials and hands-on techniques. Students will develop skills in compositional layout, color theory, observational awareness, perspective, and presentation. Printmaking, collage, drawing, painting, and 3D design will be explored to develop craftsmanship and visual awareness. Foundations of Art is one of the introductory courses in the Visual Arts Program and can serve as a prerequisite for the Art I course.
GRAPHIC DESIGN I
Course #823
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
Graphic Design I is an introductory course, designed to acquaint students with digital media programs used in graphic communications. Students will learn fundamental design principles using traditional techniques as well as gaining a strong digital foundation in Adobe’s Creative Suite of software (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign). Students will understand how to use typography, illustration and layout to practice real-life skills that are necessary to create work which explores graphic design as a visual communication medium. Graphic Design is one of the introductory courses in the Visual Arts Program and can serve as a prerequisite for the Art I course.
GRAPHIC DESIGN II (A YEAR 2022-2023, 2024-2025)
Course #824
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
Building on the skills and techniques learned in Graphic Design I, this course introduces students to more advanced project-based work. Through more involved assignments, students will learn advanced technique as well as how to critically examine and challenge their conceptual choices. From visualization to final output, the use of the Adobe Creative Suite as an industry-standard tool will be emphasized and students will learn to use the elements of graphic design as a means of visual expression and communication.
Prerequisite: Completion of Graphic Design I.
ILLUSTRATION
Course #826
Grade 9-12
Semester 2.5 credits
Illustration is visual imagery that is used to inform, tell stories, and entertain. This course introduces students to a variety of materials and processes that will be used to communicate their ideas effectively. In exploring illustration, students will be challenged to create works based on short stories, editorials, children’s books, and other sources. A wide variety of media will be introduced, which will include drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, and photography, as well as the Adobe Creative Suite. This class will alternate between the art studio and the digital lab to emphasize the synthesis and mobility between traditional and new media. Illustration is one of the introductory courses in the Visual Arts Program and can serve as a prerequisite for the Art I course.
PHOTOGRAPHY I
Course #839
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
This course is an introduction to a variety of photographic processes that include film and digital image-making techniques. Students will gain an understanding of the aesthetic and historical issues that are specific to photography. As students create, analyze, and discuss photographs, they will gain a more thoughtful and personal approach to image-making. Some 35mm film and digital cameras will be available for loan at the full responsibility of the student. Photo I is one of the introductory courses in the Visual Arts Program and can serve as a prerequisite for the Art I course.
PHOTOGRAPHY II
Course #845
Grades 10-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
In this course, students will explore and expand upon the creative and technical concepts learned in Photography I, using digital cameras and software. Students will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of digital photography and photo editing, as well as explore the conceptual and aesthetic issues of the photographic medium. Students are encouraged to obtain the use of a digital camera for this course. A limited number of digital compact and digital SLR cameras will be available for loan at the full responsibility of the student.
Prerequisite: Completion of Photography I with a B- or better.
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Course #835
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
This course will be an introduction to video project planning, recording and editing. Students will learn to use video as a tool for communication and self-expression. Student will learn the visual vocabulary of cinematography to create works in the genres of narrative, abstract essay, and documentary. Projects will emphasize group work, creative problem solving, and production planning. Instruction will include the technical aspects of lighting, as well as use and care of equipment.
VIDEO PRODUCTION 2 (B YEAR 2023-2024, 2025-2026)
Course #837
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
This course is a continuation of the skills and techniques learned in Video Production 1. Through several larger projects, such as fictional narrative, documentary, and experimental films, students will further hone their skills. Emphasis is placed on collaboration and delegation, with students taking on the roles of directing, editing, and screenwriting. Some projects will include working within the community, allowing students to experience video production in a real world scenario.
Prerequisite: Completion of Video Production.
FULL YEAR ELECTIVES
ART I
Course #821
Grades 10-12
Full Year - 5 credits
The curriculum for Art I is grounded in learning to draw from observation. Students will further develop two dimensional media skills in relation to compositional design, rendering techniques, and overall aesthetics. Through the exploration of various materials and subject matter students will evolve a personal style of interpretation. Students will be responsible for keeping a sketchbook and producing a full body of work that reflects a breadth of techniques.
Prerequisite: Completion of one of the following: Drawing and Painting, Foundations of Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photo I.
ART II
Grades 11-12
Full Year - 5 credits
The curriculum for Art II uses observational drawing as a point of departure. Art II will challenge students to translate personal and imaginative concepts in a variety of media. Students will be encouraged to consider experimentation and interpretation, while developing a mastery of skills and techniques. Students will be responsible for keeping a sketchbook and producing a foundation portfolio.
Art II can be split into two semesters with approval of the Art Department Chair.
Art II S1 Course #822
Art II S2 Course #819
Prerequisite: Completion of Art I with a B- or better.
HONORS STUDIO ART
Course #840
Grade 12
Full Year - 5 credits
The curriculum for Honors Studio Art will offer an intense experience of students’ personal engagement to the concepts,
techniques & quality of artwork. Students will be challenged to perceive, reflect and react to subject matter in an informed
manner. The exploration of artistic methods and experimentation with a variety of media will be stressed. Students will
be responsible for keeping a sketchbook and preparing a portfolio.
Prerequisite: Completion of Art II with a grade of B- or better.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ELECTIVES
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART HISTORY
Course #836
Grades 11-12
Full Year - 5 credits
The Advanced Placement Art History course focuses on developing students’ art history knowledge through the examination & analysis of major forms of artistic expression. Artwork from prehistory to the present will be examined to consider the social, political and religious contexts in which they were created. By understanding the significance of great art and architecture in a historical context, students will gain insight on how art and architecture influenced the past & determines the present. This course is equivalent to an introductory college survey and subject to College Board evaluation in early May.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART
Course #838
Grade 12
Full Year - 5 credits
The Advanced Placement Studio Art Program is designed for highly motivated students interested and committed to the study of visual art. Students will be challenged to develop goals and invest in the achievement of their objectives. They will be encouraged to explore multiple solutions in the interpretation of subject matter through a variety of media. Students are required to create a body of work, in the form of three portfolio sections, which show a fundamental competence and a range of understanding in visual concerns and methods. AP Portfolios are submitted to the College Board in early May for evaluation.
Prerequisite: Completion of Art II with a grade of B+ or better.