Program of Studies - Visual Arts

Students must complete 1 credit of Fine Arts in order to earn a high school diploma. This can be earned through Performing or Visual Arts. Courses taken beyond 1 credit will be counted as electives toward meeting graduation requirements. Below is a printable list of courses available at WCHS.

For a description of each course, please see the links below and expand the course for more information.

Class of 2027 & 2028 Only - If a student took art during 8th grade, they have satisfied the Art Foundations I prerequisite at WCHS for any course requiring Art Foundations I for admission

Foundational Courses

Art Foundations I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Course Fee $30.00

This introductory course will explore various visual art forms and techniques using a variety of media. The students will learn about and use drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media to create two and three dimensional artworks. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design will be the foundation, as well as the Ohio Visual Arts Standards, for artwork created throughout the course.

Art Foundations II, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Art Foundations I

Course Fee $35.00

This course is a continuation of Art I. The students will explore, build and apply their skills, knowledge, and techniques to a variety of media through instructional activities that will develop and translate their ideas and feelings into original works of art. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design will be the foundation, as well as the Ohio Visual Arts Standards, for artwork created throughout the course

Digital Art Courses

Computer Graphics, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about the course.

Course Fee $10.00

Computer Graphics will emphasize the use of the computer as a flexible design tool, allowing students to experiment with a greater variety of possibilities in their work than would be possible without the computer. Assignments will aid students in understanding the operation of the computer and one or more of the available art software programs. Experimentation will be encouraged, and also required, through specific assignments. While the computer print-outs are a goal in themselves, at least one of the computer-generated designs is used in another media, to show a possible application of this type of artwork.

Computer Graphics II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Computer Graphics I

Course Fee $10.00

Where the first Computer Graphics course focused on the learning of software apps like Photoshop and Illustrator, students in Computer Graphics 2 take a more design-based approach. Students will create sketches and process work for many of the projects, which include logo designs, poster creations, and package / label work. Students will also be challenged with work that comes in from sources around campus, allowing them to create posters and shirt designs that will be seen by the public.

Intro to Video Productions, 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Art Foundations I

Course Fee $30.00

This course is designed to introduce the student to the basics of video production. Students will learn to operate video equipment including cameras, linear editing systems, sound systems, and computer graphics software. They will develop production skills including writing storyboards, researching, reporting, audio dubbing, and editing. They will develop on-camera skills such as speaking and interviewing. Students will produce short video pieces from conception to completion. All work will be in-studio; students will not take equipment out of class.

Advanced Video Productions, 10-12, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: A grade of B or above in Intro to Video Productions

Course Fee $30.00

This course is designed for a student who has a serious interest in video production. Successful completion of Introduction to Video Production is a prerequisite. Camera and editing techniques mastered in Intro to Video Productions will be reinforced and new techniques will be learned. There will be a heavy emphasis on news broadcasting in this course. Students will work together to create a weekly news broadcast. Students should be comfortable speaking in front of a camera, conducting interviews, creating engaging school news stories, and editing footage together. Outside-of-class recording time will be required.

Photography I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Art Foundations I

Click here to meet a teacher and learn more about the course.

Course Fee $50.00

Photography students will learn to manipulate professional-style cameras to produce photographs that exhibit good composition and artistic design. Units of study include manual camera controls, lens operation, basic photo editing software, and basic principles of art and design

Photography II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: C or better in Photography I

Click here to meet a teacher and learn more about the course.

Course Fee $50.00

Building on the foundation of Photography 1, students will learn further advanced experimental and digital techniques. This course will explore a variety of alternative methods including image transfers, UV, and historical printing techniques. Students will also further advance their visual, compositional, and portfolio building skills.

Yearbook, Grades 11-12, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Application Required, 10th grade may enroll with teacher approval

Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about the course.

Course Fee $10.00

This course is designed for students to work on the school yearbook. Course activities include photographic work, advertising, layout design, copywriting, artwork and organizational skills. Students must apply and be accepted in order to take this course.

Studio Art Courses

Ceramics I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Art Foundations I

Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.

Course Fee $40.00

This clay course will provide experiences in making functional as well as sculptural pieces using a variety of hand-building techniques. Well thought out forms, designs, and functional uses, along with good craftsmanship, are emphasized. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design as well as the Ohio Visual Arts Standards will help guide the course.

Ceramics II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: C or better in Ceramics I

Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.

Course Fee $50.00

In this advanced level ceramics course, students will explore in-depth ceramic art making techniques. In addition, students will explore applying these techniques to their personal vision. Advanced wheel throwing and hand-building skills will be expanded upon through this course. The students will research new glaze methods and/or painting techniques to apply to their ceramic work.

Drawing I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Art Foundations I

Click here to meet a teacher and learn more about this course.

Course Fee $40.00

This course will explore types of drawing, providing opportunities to develop skills using a variety of media such as graphite, pastels, pen and ink, color pencils, charcoal and marker. The students will create original two-dimensional works of art based on observation and imagination. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design will be the foundation, as well as the Ohio Visual Arts Standards, for artwork created throughout the course.

Drawing II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: C or better in Drawing I

Click here to meet a teacher and learn more about this course.

Course Fee $40.00

The Drawing II course is for the seasoned drawing student who has mastered the basic skills of drawing and is creating more finished and involved works. Students would be challenged to produce advanced projects that expand and define their creative skills and concepts, to experiment with mediums and techniques, and to allow for production of work that could be used in a portfolio.

Painting I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Art Foundations I

Course Fee $40.00

This course will introduce students to the basics of painting, color schemes, historic and current painting styles, and various techniques and types of media. Primarily techniques in watercolor and acrylic paints will be explored. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design will be the foundation, as well as the Ohio Visual Arts Standards, for artwork created throughout the course.

Painting II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: C or better in Painting I

Course Fee $45.00

This Advanced Painting Techniques course is for the student who is very interested in creating advanced level detailed paintings with a variety of media and surfaces. Primarily techniques in watercolor and acrylic paints will be explored. A variety of surfaces such as paper, canvas, fabric, and boards may be included. You will be applying these techniques to your personal vision.

Printmaking, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Art Foundations I

Course Fee $45.00

Printmaking is an artistic process of transferring an image/design from one surface to another. This course will introduce students to various printmaking techniques including monoprints, relief-linoleum, and serigraph. Students will also use their prints to create other multimedia artworks. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design as well as the Ohio Visual Arts Standards will help guide the course.

Sculpture I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Art Foundations I

Click here to meet a teacher and learn more about this course.

Course Fee $55.00

This course will introduce students to creating art in three-dimensional form through a variety of sculptural and relief techniques. Some of the media used will include wire, books, cardboard, clay and found objects. Well thought out forms and designs, along with good craftsmanship, are emphasized. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design as well as the Ohio Visual Arts Standards will help guide the course.

Sculpture II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: C or better in Sculpture I

Click here to meet a teacher and learn more about this course.

Course Fee $45.00

Sculpture II is a continuation of the 3-D artwork building techniques introduced in Sculpture I. In addition to art-making skills, students will be expected to incorporate meaning into their work. Students will use their artwork to communicate with their viewer, demonstrate their personal vision of the world they live in, and challenge themselves to experiment with media and ideas that are new to them. This course will also prepare students to question and critique their own work, develop problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, as well as work collaboratively with other students while approaching each art process with an open mind and positive attitude.

Visual Art Journaling I (Book Making) , Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.

Course Fee $30.00

This course will extend students' knowledge of bookmaking techniques gained in Visual Art Journaling I. They will learn to hand bind several types of books. Students will use these books to focus on expressing the common themes in contemporary art using multi-media and varying techniques. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design will be the foundation, as well as the Ohio Visual Arts Standards, for artwork created throughout the course.

Visual Art Journaling II, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Visual Art Journaling I

Course Fee $30.00

This course will extend students' knowledge of bookmaking techniques gained in Visual Art Journaling I. They will learn to hand bind several types of books.. Students will use these books to focus on expressing the common themes in contemporary art using multi-media and varying techniques. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design will be the foundation, as well as the Ohio Visual Arts Standards, for artwork created throughout the course.

Advanced Art Courses

Advanced Art Studies, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Course Fee: $50

This course emphasizes student choice while building on skills developed in previous art courses. Students will design their own assignments while working with an art instructor. Ohio Visual Art Standards and best practices will be the foundation for this course.

Advanced Studio Art, Grades 11-12, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Art Foundations I AND C or better in 3 additional semesters of Visual Arts courses or teacher recommendation

Click here to meet the teacher and learn more about this course.

Course Fee $80 + AP Test Fee (if choosing AP option)

This is designed as a studio course in which students will increase technical skills, develop a more sophisticated approach to process and subject matter, and create a portfolio of individual work. In this class students will keep an artist’s journal to explore artistic process, experiment with materials and analyze work. Through experimentation and refinement, each person will create a body of work that includes observational drawing, mixed media and a variety of self-chosen media. The studio environment of the class will be used to support analysis, reflection and refinement of work. This class is appropriate for students who wish to put together a portfolio for college applications, and will include an AP Studio Art option for those wishing to pursue completion of a portfolio that meets AP requirements.

Foundational Courses

Art Foundations I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Art Foundations II, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Digital Art Courses

Computer Graphics, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Computer Graphics II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Intro to Video Productions, 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Advanced Video Productions, 10-12, 1 Credit

Photography I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Photography II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Yearbook, Grades 11-12, 1 Credit

Studio Art Courses

Ceramics I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Ceramics II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Drawing I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Drawing II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Painting I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Painting II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Printmaking, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Sculpture I, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Sculpture II, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Visual Art Journaling I (Book Making) , Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Visual Art Journaling II, Grades 9-12, 0.5 Credit

Advanced Art Courses

Advanced Art Studies, Grades 10-12, 0.5 Credit

Advanced Studio Art, Grades 11-12, 1 Credit

AP Art History, Grades 11-12, 1 Credit