Art

Art Department Chair: Ambria Archibald

The art curriculum of Holton-Arms actively engages each student in the process of discovering her creative vision while acquiring technical skills and gaining historical and cultural perspectives. Art courses in the Middle School provide general introductions to studio art, photography and ceramics, and reinforce skills and concepts learned at the primary level. Courses in the Upper School offer the student opportunities to concentrate in one discipline. Students work closely with members of the art faculty who encourage inquiry, experimentation, and excellence. Studios are spacious, well equipped, and open to students throughout the day. In addition to acquiring the various skills and techniques involved in a specific art discipline, the experience of creating art directly relates to development of critical thinking, mental discipline, self-confidence, and the ability to solve problems. The art curriculum provides developmentally appropriate and challenging training for each student to express herself while nurturing the artistic process so that it becomes incorporated into her daily life.

4 credits in the fine and/or performing arts are required for graduation.

DEPARTMENTAL GOALS AND COMPETENCIES

LOWER SCHOOL

Art 3, Grade level: 3

Introduction to the Elements of Art while exploring “Self”. Students will reflect on their perspective and how their experiences impact how they view the world.

Art 4, Grade level: 4

Exploration of the Elements of Art While recognizing and Identifying the Identity of Others. Students will explore how community, race and social groups impact our perspectives.

Art 5, Grade level: 5

Students will compare the Elements of Art to the Principles of Design while exploring the identity of the group.

Art 6, Grade level: 6

Students will develop designs using the Elements of Art and Principles of Design to reflect social, cultural and group identities.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Art 7, Grade level: 7 (required)

Art 7 is a studio art class that provides students with a multi-media approach to the visual arts. This is a transitional course that continues to build upon skills introduced in Lower School and begins to lay the foundation for further Middle and Upper School art study. Techniques in graphic design, drawing, painting, collage, and photography are explored. Although these may vary slightly from year to year, emphasis is placed on the development of observational and technical skills, exploration of personal identity, and the use of visual tools to communicate effectively. Integration with other Middle School disciplines is practiced frequently.

Art 8, Grade level: 8

Art 8 is a studio art class that students may elect to take for one, two or three trimesters. Each trimester new media are explored through a combination of short- and long-term projects. Over the course of the full year, students explore drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, and design, preparing students for more specialized art courses offered in the Upper School. Emphasis continues to be placed on the development of observational and technical skills, exploration of personal identity, and the use of art to communicate big ideas. This course encourages creativity and a variety of solutions to design problems. Students should indicate a preference for one, two or three trimesters on their course registration form.

Art Tech Exploration, Grade level: 7-8

Art Tech Exploration is a project-based class where students will tackle one real-life design challenge within the trimester using lessons in art/design, science, technology, engineering, and math. This one trimester “STEAM” course (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) will build off of the Design Technology classes experienced in the Holton Lower School.

UPPER SCHOOL

Introductory level, trimester-long courses that meet half as often as core academic subjects.
Advanced level, year-long courses that meet as often in a cycle as core academic subjects. Once a student has completed a full year of an advanced art course, they can drop down to two trimesters the following year.

All Upper School courses can be repeated for credit. With each successive enrollment, increasing emphasis is placed on individualizing the curriculum to accommodate the student’s personal direction in the visual arts. Students who have taken multiple art courses are encouraged to submit a slide/digital portfolio with their college applications.

Drawing and Painting, Grade level: 9-12, Credit: 1 per trimester

This introductory Upper School studio course concentrates on drawing and oil painting, as well as watercolor and collage. Students are encouraged to explore many forms of creative expression as they continue to develop basic skills and an understanding of aesthetic expression. This course may be repeated, and students should register for one, two or three trimesters.

Ceramics, Grade level: 9-12, Credit: 1 per trimester

This course introduces students to clay as a medium of expression through hand-building techniques of pinching, coiling, and slab construction. Special attention is given to craftsmanship and the development of aesthetic expression. Both terracotta and stoneware are used, and various techniques of surface decoration are explored. Students will continue to build their visual literacy through class discussions and critiques. This course may be repeated, and students should register for one, two or three trimesters.

Photography, Grade level: 9-12, Credit: 1 per trimester

This course explores the art of seeing and self-expression in black and white photography. It introduces the use of the 35 mm camera, film exposure and processing, and darkroom printing. Equal emphasis is given to technical understanding and compositional ideas. The course briefly explores the history of photography and the role of aesthetic principles in making strong images. The school owns 35 mm cameras which students may borrow. Students supply their own photographic paper and film, which are available for purchase in the School Store. All other basic supplies are provided. This course may be repeated, and students should register for one, two or three trimesters.

Advanced Drawing and Painting: Full Year, Grade level: 10-12, Prerequisite: ART 101 and Departmental permission, Credit: 3

Advanced Drawing and Painting: Two Trimesters, Grade level: 11-12, Prerequisite: ART 101, Advanced Drawing and Painting: Full Year, and Departmental permission, Credit: 1 per trimester

Advanced Drawing and Painting continues the study of art as visual language. Students wishing to take Advanced Drawing and Painting for the first time will be required to take it for the whole year. In subsequent years, students whose course load precludes them from taking the major for all three trimesters may register for two trimesters. Advanced Drawing and Painting explores the more complex issues of color, composition, and space through exercises in drawing, oil painting, and watercolor. While the use of traditional materials and techniques is taught, the focus of the course is to teach students to see the relationship between technical skills and aesthetic expression. The course will also help students prepare a portfolio for the college admissions process.

Advanced Ceramics: Full Year, Grade level: 10-12, Prerequisite: ART 131 and Departmental permission, Credit: 3

Advanced Ceramics: Two Trimesters, Grade level: 11-12, Prerequisite: ART 131, Advanced Ceramics: Full Year, and Departmental permission, Credit: 1 per trimester

Advanced Ceramics continues and intensifies the study of ceramics begun in Ceramics, ART 131. Students wishing to take Advanced Ceramics for the first time will be required to take it for the whole year. In subsequent years, students whose course load precludes them from taking the major for all three trimesters may register for two trimesters. Hand-building is the main focus of the Advanced Ceramics curriculum. Both functional and sculptural projects are assigned in the exploration and development of personal expression. Other important aspects of Advanced Ceramics include working with a larger variety of different clays, and both oxidation and reduction (when applicable) firing processes. The course will also help students prepare a portfolio for the college admissions process.

Advanced Photography: Full Year, Grade level: 10-12, Prerequisite: ART 141 and Departmental permission, Credit: 3

Advanced Photography: Two Trimesters, Grade level: 11-12, Prerequisite: ART 141, Advanced Photography: Full Year, and Departmental permission, Credit: 1 per trimester

Advanced Photography continues and intensifies the study of photography begun in Photography. Students wishing to take Advanced Photography for the first time will be required to take it for the whole year. In subsequent years, students whose course load precludes them from taking the major for all three trimesters may register for two trimesters. Advanced Photography explores various styles of shooting: landscape, documentary and portraiture, with an emphasis on developing a point of view. Students learn to use different films and basic studio lighting. This course includes a unit on digital color photography in which students shoot with digital cameras provided by the school, manipulate the print in Photoshop, and learn the mechanics of color printing. Students are responsible for providing film and paper, which are available for purchase in the School Store. All other basic supplies are provided, including 35 mm cameras as well as digital SLR cameras. All advanced art classes will share trimester-long themes to facilitate dialogue and understanding across disciplines. Themes will be revealed in Fall 2018. The course will also help students prepare a portfolio for the college admissions process.

Applications in Graphic Design: Scroll, Grade level: 11-12, Prerequisites: 2 Trimesters of Visual Arts, Art Department Permission, Scroll Advisor permission, Credit: 1

This independent course is specifically designed for Scroll leadership and the most dedicated magazine club members. It is not a scheduled class. Assessment will be based on student’s ability to meet predetermined benchmarks, including, but not limited to, periodic critiques with panel of art teachers and Scroll advisor.

Fundamentals of Graphic Design, Grade Level: 9-12, Credit: 1 per trimester

This Upper School course includes design exercises completed by hand, foundational computer exercises to understand how to use the standard graphic design software, Adobe InDesign, and project-based prompts using both hand-drawn and computer-generated design that further develop students understanding of design thinking.