The Art Department offers a range of beginning, intermediate and honors level courses. All courses are designed to develop competency and skill with a variety of art mediums. Elements and principles of design, art history and appreciation, career awareness and self-expression are components of all art classes. Each class builds a portfolio that is reviewed at the end of the semester. Students will also participate in class discussions and various writing activities.
Introduction to Art | Semester Long | 9th-12th Grade
This is an exploratory art class with no prerequisite. Studio work includes introduction of basic techniques in the areas of drawing, painting, design, printmaking, mixed media and sculpture. Compositional problems dealing with the art elements of color, line, texture, shape, space and value are the basis of studio assignments. Other areas of study include art history, art appreciation, career awareness and the use of technology in art production.
Computer Graphics and Design 1 | Semester Long | 9th-12th Grade
Students will use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator along with digital cameras and scanners to create solutions to “real life” visual communication problems. Students study design elements and principles of design throughout the course. Concept development, design studio practices, and presentation skills are explored. Students create a portfolio of projects such as posters, collages, page layouts, package designs and corporate identity pieces.
Computer Graphics and Design 2 | Semester Long | 9th-12th Grade
Students continue with their study of visual communication. Students develop creative thinking methods and develop concepts. They refine typography and layout skills. Emphasis is placed on awareness of design fundamentals. Assignments in this class include design exercises along with real life design jobs for clients in the school’s community. Students may be required to produce logos, posters, invitations, or brochures for school events. Some self-directed study is encouraged. The majority of work is digital using camera, scanners and Adobe CS3.
Interior Design | Semester Long | 9th-12th Grade
Interior Design is a beginning course for students who are interested in designing a variety of spaces. Our course work will include drawing elevations, designing floor plans, creating concept boards, creating patterns, and product design. We will study the elements and principles of design along with color theory. Students in this class are expected to participate in discussions, complete practice exercises, and write critiques of room designs.
Contemporary Studio Art (Prerequiste: Intro to Art) | Semester Long | 9th-12th Grade
Contemporary Studio Art is an intermediate course for students to continue study of art techniques and media in the areas of drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking and photography. With an emphasis on art production, students also study contemporary artists, art appreciation and use of emerging technology in art. This studio course focuses on a central concept or theme.
Drawing (Prerequiste: Intro to Art) | Semester Long | 9th-12th Grade
This class will focus on the fundamentals of drawing. Instruction includes linear perspective, aerial views, and other ways of creating space within artwork. Drawing assignments include content such as observation, dream- based, fantasy or psychological imagery, social commentary, political statement, and other personal interests. Various subjects include the human figure, landscape, still life and architecture are explored. Drawing mediums include: pencil, brush, pastel, charcoal, pen and ink, and markers.
Painting and 2D Design (Prerequiste: Intro to Art) | Semester Long | 9th-12th Grade
Painting & 2D Design is a continuation of the study of the elements and principles of design that began in Introduction to Art. Students will work with specific composition and color problems in a wide range of two dimensional mediums. Work in this class will include drawing, painting, cut paper, collage, digital photography, and mixed media. Along with design exercises, students will create larger projects such as sequential art (cartooning), narrative art (story telling), poster and banner design, illustration, artist book design, and social political art. Students will have opportunities to initiate some two dimensional design projects based on their personal interests. This course may not be repeated.
Sculpture and 3D Design (Prerequiste: Intro to Art) | Semester Long | 9th-12th Grade
Students will gain an understanding of how the design principles relate to depth and space as we create three-dimensional art. Students will explore various degrees of depth such as low relief, frontal, and full round types of sculpture. Instruction will include learning the three different construction methods: Found object, additive, and subtractive sculptural techniques. A wide range of sculpture mediums such as clay, wire, paper mache, cardboard, and plaster will be used in this course. This course may not be repeated.
Honors Art (Prerequiste: Grade of a B or better in previous art class and at least two semester of art) | Year Long | 10th-12th Grade
Entry is based on demonstrated ability to work independently, creativity, mastery of techniques in at least one art medium and a willingness to be challenged. Honors Art is designed to meet the needs of the advanced art student. Students in this course explore compositional problems, techniques, art themes and individual expression. Studio work includes class assignments and student initiated projects. Student critique and portfolio development emphasized. Enrollment is limited.
AP Art (Prerequiste: at least two semester of art and teacher recommendation) | Year Long | 9th-12th Grade
The AP Studio Art candidates prepare a portfolio through organized AP instruction. Students choose to complete one of two portfolios: Drawing or 2-D Design. The portfolios share a basic, three-section structure, which requires the student to show a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual concerns (and methods). Each of the portfolios asks the student to demonstrate a depth of investigation and process of discovery through the concentration section (Section II). In the breadth section (Section III), the student is asked to demonstrate a serious grounding in visual principles and material techniques. The quality section (Section I) permits the student to select the works that best exhibit a synthesis of form, technique, and content. Studio Art is not based on a written examination; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year. This class may be repeated for credit.