Art

Philosophy

The Art Department fosters visual literacy, self-expression, creative growth, discovery and mastery of

application skills. Creative learning helps students relate visual knowledge to other core subjects by

responding to problem solving with originality, appreciation, flexibility and imagination. Courses

offered by our department provide the opportunity for students to achieve at their individual level and

grow from there. Art students’ accomplishments are celebrated in school displays, the annual spring

Fenton Art Festival, and/or a community show

Offerings

The Art Department offers courses in two dimensional, three dimensional and digital media. An AP

Portfolio course should be the goal of any serious Artist and is available for students who meet the

criteria.

Requirement & Recommendation

Fenton High School requires two (2) semesters of fine and applied arts for graduation. This

requirement can be fulfilled with any two art courses. College entrance recommendations state that a

minimum of four (4) credits should be selected from art, foreign language, music or vocational

education courses. The suggestions below may not fit with every student’s schedule, however teachers

in our department are available to help with any artistic goal. Whether you are looking for a place to

unlock creativity or if pursuing a career in art, there is a place for you in the Art Department!

Art Course Descriptions

Cartooning

Cartoons and comics are woven throughout our daily lives. You cannot turn on the television, open a

magazine, or walk down the street without seeing one. This course allows you to step into the world of

cartooning. It focuses on developing a personal style of cartoon drawing through the study of its

history and styles: hero comics, advertising cartoons, comic strips, political cartoons and animation.

Quick visual thinking techniques and communication skills will also be mastered. For further study in

drawing see course descriptions for 2D Art and Drawing. Cartooning techniques can also be combined

with the skills learned in the Computer Art course.

Prerequisites: None Semester(s): 1 Credit(s): 1

Course Code: 6035 Grade Level(s): 9-12 Fee: $15.00

Computer Art

The computer is the number one design tool used in creative careers. Using the program Adobe

Photoshop, students will learn how to create stunning works of art that leave people wondering how

they were made. Computer Art teaches artists how to: create special effects, draw/paint using the

computer, compose graphic publications used in our school and animate original ideas. The digital

camera and scanner will also aid in our creations. This is a great class for anyone interested in giving

their computer skills an artistic twist. Students who enjoy this course or are seeking a creative career

are encouraged to go on to Digital Photography, Graphics, and or Web Design found in the Applied

Technology Department.

Prerequisites: None Semester(s): 1 Credit(s): 1

Course Code: 6020 Grade Level(s): 9-12 Fee: $15.00

Digital Photography

Photographs can motivate, captivate, educate, and inform more than any words. In modern times, it

is easy to create dazzling, high quality images even as an amateur. This class will teach students how to

unlock the power of a digital camera and set up more interesting shots. Students will also become

highly proficient in Adobe Photoshop, the industry standard for image manipulation. Students will

learn to fix family photographs, make complex collages, colorize black & white photos, generate surreal

pictures, and set up better photos.

Prerequisites: None Semester(s): 1 Credit(s): 1

Course Code: 7756 Grade Level(s): 10-12

AP Studio Art 2-D Design (Drawing, Painting, Digital)

This 2 semester course is the third tier for Drawing, Painting, and Digital Art. AP 2-D Design

(Drawing, Painting, Digital Art) is designed to prepare students with a professional portfolio used for

entrance into a college art program. The course emphasizes independent thematic work in the artist’s

choice of two dimensional medium. Students enrolled in this course submit their portfolio to the

College Board instead of taking an Advanced Placement Exam. All students will prepare a personal

artist’s statement to be included with their portfolio presentation in Fenton’s Annual Art Festival.

Prerequisites: Drawing 2, Painting 2, or teacher approval Semester(s): 2 Credit(s): 2

Course Code: 1st Semester-2119, 2nd Semester-2120 Grade Level(s): 10,11,12 Fee: $20.00

AP Studio Art 2-D Design (Photography)

This 2 semester course is designed for students to learn critical decision making skills as you develop

a portfolio that is personal to your individual talents using photography as your medium. Learn

mastery in composition, color, design, and to analyze and discuss photography. This course teaches

students to understand what makes a good photograph and how to develop their own work that

moves beyond duplication. Students enrolled in this course submit their portfolio to the College Board

instead of taking an Advanced Placement Exam. All students will prepare a personal artist’s statement

to be included with their portfolio presentation in Fenton’s Annual Art Festival.

Prerequisites: Completion of at least one Photography course Semester(s): 2 Credit(s): 1

Course Code: 1st Semester 2123 2nd Semester 2124 Grade Level(s): 11-12 Fee: $20.00

AP Studio: 3-D Design (Ceramics, Jewel, Sculpture)

This 2 semester course is the third tier for Ceramics, Jewelry and Sculpture. AP 3-D Design will

prepare capable art students with a professional portfolio used for entrance into a college art program.

The course emphasizes independent thematic work in the artist’s choice of three dimensional media.

Students enrolled in this course submit their portfolio to the College Board instead of taking an

Advanced Placement Exam. All students will prepare a personal artist’s statement to be included with

their portfolio presentation in Fenton’s Annual Art Festival.

Prerequisites: Ceramics 2, Jewelry 2, Sculpture 2 or teacher approval Semester(s): 2 Credit(s): 2

Course Code: 1st Semester-2117, 2nd Semester-2118 Grade Level(s): 10-12 Fee: $20.00

Studio Art: 2-D Design 1

Learning how to observe details to draw and paint naturally are the major outcomes of 2D Studio Art

1. Personalized experimentation of a subject matter is explored in this course. Media variety includes

pencil, charcoal, marker, oil pastels, acrylic paint and watercolor. Multiple themes and styles will be

covered and students will leave this class speaking the language of art. Students who enjoy working in

2D can continue on in 2D Studio Art 2 or Cartooning.

Prerequisites: None Semester(s): 1 Credit(s): 1

Course Code: 6205 Grade Level(s): 9-12 Fee: $20.00

Studio Art: 2-D Design 2

This advanced 2D class focuses on drawing and painting from direct observation, rendered two

dimensional images and memory while reinforcing expressive color qualities within the art piece. 2D

Studio Art 2 focuses on contemporary art styles in drawing and Painting. A personal interpretation of

portraits, figure, landscape, design and still life are goals of this course. Media variety includes oil

pastels, Prismacolor pencils, charcoal pastels, oil paint and watercolors. This course focuses on

developing a great sense of using color for expressive qualities while developing personal

interpretation of a subject matter. Students who enjoy working in 2D can continue on in Cartooning or

AP Studio Art 2D.

Prerequisites: Studio Art: 2-D Design 1, or Painting 1, or Drawing 1 Semester(s): 1 Credit(s): 1

Course Code: 6215 Grade Level(s): 9-12 Fee: $20.00

Studio Art: 3-D Design 1

3-D Design 1 is for the artist wanting to explore three dimensional art as a means of expression.

Clay, metal, plaster, wire, wood, and mixed media are some of the materials that may be used. Artists

will create original works of art inspired by historical jewelry, pottery, and sculpture from around the

world. Students will have the options to submit their work for an art show and visit a local art museum.

Prerequisites: None Semester(s): 1 Credit(s): 1

Course Code: 6305 Grade Level(s): 9-12 Fee: $20.00

Studio Art: 3-D Design 2

3-D Design 2 is for the artist who has mastered the foundational techniques of 3-D Design 1 (or the

formerly offered Ceramics 1, Jewelry 1, or Sculpture 1). This course will continue to build artists

expertise using three dimensional art as a means of expression. Artists will be responsible for

producing original advanced artworks using media such as clay, enameling, metal, mosaics, plaster.

wire, or wood. Artists will also have the options of using the potter’s wheel, partaking in an outdoor

raku firing, and visiting a local art museum. All artists will submit work for the annual spring art festival.

Prerequisites: None Semester(s): 1 Credit(s): 1

Course Code: 6315 Grade Level(s): 9-12 Fee: $20.00

AP Art History

This course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Exam in Art History. Art history is the

study of all life through the story of art. It is a journey through time using humanity’s creativity as a

guide. Through examining works of art from diverse cultures, religions, genders and historical periods,

students develop a deep understanding of how to analyze and interpret art. Students learn to restrain

judgment by cultivating an appreciation for all art forms and styles.

Prerequisites: None Semester(s): 2 Credit(s): 2

Course Codes: 1st Semester- 2121, 2nd Semester- 2122 Grade Level(s): 10-12

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