Visual Arts

QUARTER ELECTIVE COURSES

ART AND THE HUMAN BODY:  (A YEAR 2024-2025, 2026-2027)

Course # 848

Grades 10-12

Semester - 1.25 credits

Students will engage in an  in-depth examination of the human form. Gesture, portraiture, medical illustration, and anatomical proportion  will be used as a point of inspiration to create a thematic portfolio of work in a variety of media.

ANIMATION (B YEAR 2025-2026, 2027-2028)

Course # 849

Grades 10-12

Semester -1.25 credits

Students will gain an understanding of traditional animation, including design, storyboarding, and stop-motion. Students will learn basic animation techniques necessary to design sequences and character movement using both traditional techniques and digital applications such as Adobe Animate. 

WHEEL THROWING

Course #850

Grades 10-12

Semester - 1.25 credits

Students will explore various techniques on the pottery wheel to create functional ceramicware.  This class will focus on the design, function, and decoration of these forms. Emphasis will be placed on sharpening technical skills as well as exploring various methods of wheel-throwing, such as throwing off the hump, to create new shapes, sets, and projects.

*Prerequisite: Ceramic Sculpture I. 

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:  B- or better in 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:   B- or better in Ceramics II. 

DIGITAL ART  (B YEAR 2025-2026, 2027-2028)

Course #826

Grades 9-12

Semester 2.5 credits

In Digital Art students will work with a variety of digital media and be introduced to digital processes to communicate their ideas effectively.  Students will be challenged to create works based on a variety of sources and their own experiences,  exploring the synthesis and mobility between traditional and new media. Much of the work will focus on the digital toolbox using the Adobe Creative Suite and digital drawing tablets, but students will also be incorporating available alternative apps to create work.

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.

INTRO TO 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 awarenes and perspective while working in a variety of materials. Printmaking, collage, drawing, painting, and 3D design will be explored to develop craftsmanship and visual awareness. Intro to Art is one of the foundation 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 2024-2025, 2026-2027)

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: B- or better in  Graphic Design I.

PHOTOGRAPHY I

Course #839

Grades 9-12

Semester - 2.5 credits

This course is an introduction to a variety of photographic editing and image-making techniques in Adobe Photoshop. 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. Although the course is primarily digital, some alternative processes will be explored.  A limited number of digital SLR 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  (B YEAR 2025-2026, 2027-2028)

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 Adobe 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 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.  Students will learn Adobe Premiere to edit and create effects in their videos.

VIDEO PRODUCTION 2 (B YEAR 2025-2026, 2027-2028)

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, with the opportunity to showcase finished work on Medfield TV.

Prerequisite: B- or better in  Video Production I.

FULL YEAR COURSES

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, Introduction to Art, Graphic Design, Digital Art, Photo I or Video Production. 

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, or taken as a full year class by enrolling in both S1 and S2. 

Art II FY     Course #827

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 ART HISTORY (A YEAR 2024-2025, 2026-2027)

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. Students enrolled in this AP course are expected to take the AP exam.   

Prerequisite: none.

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.  Students enrolled in this AP course are expected to take the AP exam.   

Prerequisite:

• Approval and recommendation from Art II teacher and department chair. 

• Completion of Art II with a grade of B+ or better.

Art Department Chair

Kate Jones
kjones@email.medfield.net