Art

• Credit Hours: .5

• Grade Level: 9-12

This is a hands-on project oriented class.  Included in the course will be beginning experiences in conceiving ideas and using appropriate 2-D materials to convey artistic expressions.  Focus areas will be drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor painting, mixed media, printmaking, photography, design, art history, introduction to digital imaging and art competition. 

• Credit Hours: .5

• Grade Level: 9-12

This is a hands-on project oriented class.  Included in the course will be beginning experiences in conceiving ideas and using appropriate 3-D materials to convey artistic expressions.  Focus areas will be hand built utilitarian/non-utilitarian ceramic projects (i.e. coil slab, sculpture, etc.), wheel throwing, surface decoration, glazing, with a smaller focus on several other sculpture processes including plaster and wire work, and art competition. 

• Credit Hours: .5

• Grade Level: 10-12

• Prerequisite: 2-Dimensional Art

The Photography course introduces students to digital color photography.  The course presents an overview of the history of photography, basic care, handling, and functions of digital 35 mm. SLR cameras, principles of lighting and composition, and digital processing techniques to plan and produce photographic compositions that demonstrate understanding of light, composition, color, and visual impact.  Course assignments, assessment, and activities will support learning about the fundamentals of photography, elements of composition, basic Photo Shop functions, history of photography and photographers, photo-essays and photo-collage.  Students will individually submit a final photo portfolio.

• Credit Hours: .5

• Grade Level: 11-12

• Prerequisite: 2-Dimensional Art & Photography

Advanced Photography is designed to present an in-depth overview of the fundamentals of  digital and 35mm photography, lighting, composition, photojournalism, and digital processing techniques.  Course assignments, assessments, and activities will support the student’s study of digital imaging software and processes, elements of composition, camera comparisons, natural and artificial lighting, theme based projects, photography careers and professional applications, history of photographers and photography research presentation, non-camera photo techniques using scanners, and advanced color, and black and white digital photography processes and techniques.  Students will present a collaborative group exhibit of their work, and individually submit a digital and hard copy photo portfolio.  

• Credit Hours: .5

• Grade Level: 10-12

• Prerequisite: 2-Dimensional Art

Throughout this course the students will explore a variety of art media - including pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, pastels, marker, and charcoal.  Subject matter will include elements of design and composition, portraits, figures, still-lifes, landscapes, design, perspective and sketchbook assignments.  Students will participate in art competitions and the Benton Art Show.

• Credit Hours: .5

• Grade Level: 10-12

• Prerequisite: 2-Dimensional Art, Drawing Recommended

This course will provide students an opportunity to explore many styles of painting.  Design, composition and color will be emphasized.  The entire process from constructing and stretching the canvas to painting and framing will be taught.  Acrylics, Watercolors and Oil Paints will be used throughout the course.  Art history and critiques will also be included in this course. Students will participate in art competitions and the Benton Art Show.

• Credit Hours: .5

• Grade Level: 11-12

• Prerequisite: 2-Dimensional Art OR 3-Dimensional Art AND 2 additional courses

This class is offered for the serious art student who wishes to study an art area in depth and may plan on pursuing an art-related field of study after high school.  The course includes studio art in the area(s) of the student’s interest, art history, matting/mounting and finishing of artwork, preparing of portfolios and art careers.  The students will also participate in museum and artist visits, exhibitions and competitions and critiques.  The students will prepare a one person art show of their work created during the course and participate in the Benton Art Show.