VISUAL ARTS

Providing students with opportunities to engage in a wide variety of rich artistic experiences with the prospect of studying particular media more extensively while working in a studio environment.

Stretch a canvas...Carve into linoleum...Build cardboard sculptures...Use wax to paint

Draw on the computer...Watercolor a landscape...Print on fabric...Make art

Our Art Department provides students with opportunities to participate in a wide variety of studio experiences with the prospect of studying chosen media more extensively.  

• Students must complete Art I and Art II to enroll in the Art elective courses.

• There are 21 separate art elective courses offered. The majority of the elective courses are grouped into four general categories: Fine Arts, Design Arts, Digital Media Arts, and 3D Design. Therefore, students may enroll in several different art courses that will appear under the same category on their transcript.  

  • ​Fine Arts - Drawing & Advanced Drawing, Painting & Advanced Painting, Printmaking & Advanced Printmaking

  • Design Arts - Illustration, Architectural Rendering, Fashion Illustration 

  • Digital Media Arts - Art of Marketing, Digital Graphic Art, Digital Photography, Advanced Digital Photography, Video Editing

  • 3D Design - Sculpture, Jewelry Design, Pottery

• Written permission from the Art Department is required to take more than one art class per semester.

• Transfer students must meet with the art department and submit a portfolio for review before being placed into an Art class.

Art 1 Major                                      

CPS 1 credit Grade 9-12

Explore the elements, principles, and concepts of art through different media including drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, and pottery. Art I Major is scheduled as a full-year course and is intended for students wanting to try art or who are planning to pursue elective Art classes. Students should have a serious interest in the art making process. Each student will participate in peer critiquing and art appreciation projects. This class is run as an open studio. Students will be working in an atmosphere of cooperative learning with higher-level students. Students must provide their own sketchbook.

 Art 2 Major                                      

CPS 1 credit Grade 10-12

Learn how to stretch your own canvas and use wax to paint. Continue making art using so many more new materials and techniques. Art II Major students will explore more sophisticated concepts, through in depth exploration of media. Each student will participate in peer critiquing and art appreciation projects. This class is run as an open studio.  Students will be working in an atmosphere of cooperative learning with multi-level students. Students must provide their own sketchbook.  Students should successful complete Art I prior to enrolling in this course.

Advanced Placement Art and Design                                   

AP 1 credit Grade 12 

Explore a Sustained Investigation creating artwork meaningful to you as an artist.  Our Advanced Placement (AP) Art and Design program makes it possible for the highly motivated high school senior to do college-level work. Unlike other AP classes, AP Art and Design is not based on a written exam instead, students are required to submit a portfolio of 20 artworks to the College Board for evaluation in early May. Students planning to enroll in this class must meet with the instructor in the spring. Summer assignments are a prerequisite for the course.

Drawing                               

CPS/Honors 0.5 credit Grade 11-12 

Drawing is a skill that can be practiced in graphite, colored pencil, marker, oil pastel and many more tools. This course is designed for the student who wishes to refine his or her drawing skills while exploring and experimenting with new drawing mediums and techniques.  Drawing from life, imagination and perspective will be highlighted.

Advanced Drawing       

Honors 0.5 credit Grade 11-12

This course is designed for the student with strong drawing abilities who wishes to hone his or her skills through more complicated drawing projects.  Mastering techniques and applying them in a unique way to develop a personal style will be the focus of the class.  Students should successfully complete Drawing prior to enrolling in this course.

Painting          

CPS/Honors 0.5 credit           Grade 11-12

 Impasto, glazing, and dry brush are just some of the new techniques you will learn in this course. Painting is designed for the student who wishes to refine his or her painting skills while exploring and experimenting with new mediums and techniques. A concentration on one medium and type of subject matter is emphasized.

Advanced Painting                      

Honors 0.5 credits Grade 11-12

Continue to study painting through more advanced projects and techniques. Color theory, mastering diverse techniques, and investigating a theme through producing a series of paintings will be the primary focus.   Students should successfully complete Painting prior to enrolling in this course.

Printmaking                                                           

CPS/Honors 0.5 credits Grade 11-12 

Build and refine your skills in printmaking while exploring new methods of working with the medium. Several methods will be explored including reduction prints, stencil prints, wood cut, and silk screening.

Advanced Printmaking                                    

Honors 0.5 credits Grade 11-12 

Expand your printmaking skills and creativity by deepening your understanding of printmaking. A more advanced examination of screen-printing, woodcut and stencil printing will be explored. This course is designed for students who wish to continue printmaking through more complex printmaking processes.  Students should successfully complete Printmaking prior to enrolling in this course.

Architectural Rendering                       

CPS/Honors 0.5 credits Grade 11-12   

Do you enjoy drawing buildings and extreme perspective?  This course is designed for the student that likes drawing and designing structures or is applying to an architectural program beyond high school. Students will prepare artistic architectural drawings and renderings of different historically styled buildings and edifices through a variety of mediums.

​Fashion Illustration               

CPS/Honors 0.5 credits Grade 11-12  

Learn to draw the fashion figure, proportion of the body, its gesture, draw clothing, and the figure’s features. Students will create their own patterns, designs, and illustrations while exploring various techniques and materials of fashion. This course encourages students to explore, develop and re-invent multiple fashion themes.

​

Illustration               

CPS/Honors             0.5 credits            Grades 11-12

Draw your own story with characters in imaginary worlds. Illustration is the art of creating images for print or electronic media to tell a story through imagery.  This course is designed for the student who wishes to explore different aspects of illustration including advertisements, magazine covers, game boards, and/or children’s storybook illustration.

Art of Marketing   

CPS/Honors        0.5 credits        Grade 11-12

Need help with your DECA project? This course is designed to introduce students to concepts, ideas and execution of an entire marketing campaign for a product or service. Students will be responsible for creating a body of work that may include a catalogue, brochure, flyer, poster, and/or package design. Students may elect to use the work in this class to supplement their DECA business projects or for any advertising campaign.

Computer Graphics

CPS/Honors 0.5 credit Grade 11-12

Drawing directly on the computer, learn how to use scanned art, photo manipulation, and computer graphics. This course is designed for the student who wishes to explore different methods of creative production using technology (Wacom tablets and Macs) as an art medium. Different apps and computer programs will be explored.    

Digital Photography        

CPS/Honors         0.5 credit         Grade 11-12

Digital Darkroom portfolio creation is what this course will investigate. You will learn both the technical and artistic aspects of capturing digital images. There will be an emphasis on photography concepts and photo manipulation using the computer as a “digital darkroom”. Taking pictures of specific concepts will be explored. Class time will consist of critiquing and editing those photos. Students must have a digital camera. Students will also be responsible for the cost of printing their photos.

Advanced Digital Photography

Honors 0.5 credit Grade 11-12

Develop a thematic and series related photography portfolio in this course. The course is designed for the serious photography student that is self-motivated. There will be an emphasis on investigating more sophisticated compositional concepts and Photoshop techniques.  Students must have a minimum of 85 for their final average in Digital Photography to enroll in this course. There will be additional costs associated with this course for printing of photographs.

Video Editing

CPS/Honors 0.5 credit Grade 11-12

Make your videos creative and inventive while learning to use the camera and editing programs. This course is designed for students who may be planning to attend film school after graduation. Students will record and edit videos in order to create a number of short productions. All videos will be digital and editing will be done using computer software in school. A video camera is not required but is helpful.  Students should successfully complete Computer Graphics prior to enrolling in this course.

Jewelry Making

CPS/Honors 0.5 credit Grade 11-12

Explore jewelry basic techniques and construction using wire, silk cord, beads, found objects, and hand molded creations. This course explores the concept of wearable art. Students will design and assemble their own jewelry including bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. The execution of thematic designs will be emphasized.

Ceramics 

CPS/Honors 0.5 credit Grade 11-12

Handbuilding and wheel throwing will be taught in this course. It is designed for the student who wishes to refine his or her skills in pottery.  Students will also learn different glazing techniques and how a kiln firing works.

Sculpture

CPS/Honors 0.5 credit Grade 11-12

Build with cardboard and found objects, study master sculptures and their techniques. This course is designed for the student who wishes to refine his or her three-dimensional sculpture skills. Additive and subtractive processes will be explored as well as experimenting with various sculpting materials.  

Art Appreciation Online

Honors 0.5 credit Grade 12

Learn about the history of the Master’s and the stories their art tells. The Art Appreciation course is designed for students who enjoy the history and stories of art or art applying to art colleges. This is a computer-based independent study and gives students a comprehensive understanding of the different eras of art and the important artists and artworks of those eras. All instruction and assignments take place through the use of computer technology. The instructor will be available for assistance; however, the student is responsible to do the majority of the work independently. Students can find their schedule of assignments, resources, due dates and quiz dates online.

Portfolio Preparation

CPS/Honors 0.5 credit Grade 11-12

Do you need a portfolio for your college applications? This course is designed for seniors applying to art schools or colleges. The class will meet during the first semester in order to meet application and portfolio deadlines. Students will review their existing portfolio and prepare artwork specifically for application to the college of their choice. Photos will be taken of artwork for digital portfolios and college applications.

Unified Art

CPS 0.5 credit Grade 11-12

Unified Electives is designed to be a unique and inclusive program within Physical Education, Art, and Music courses that fosters creativity, physical well-being, and collaborative skills for all students. This course promotes peer interaction and community building by integrating students with diverse abilities in every class. In addition to personal progress, students would be coached and assessed on the active assistance and support of their peers with special needs.  The design of this course integrates coaching from the teachers on how to work with, motivate, support, and assist individuals with a range of needs with integrity, kindness, and inclusive practices. In addition to the related curriculum, this course focuses on the development of empathy, teamwork, and leadership, as students learn to adapt their communication and approach to meet the individual needs of others. Through this inclusive model, every student, regardless of background or ability, experiences a sense of belonging and growth in a supportive environment.  Students must complete Art I before enrolling in Unified Art.